Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-11-19
NEW JERSEY.

The following are the remarks of Governor
Pennington on the subject Of the exclusion
rom their seats Of the returned members from |
hat State:
In the issue of this great struggle New
Jersey has deep interest. Her ctiZeeS have
n common destiny with the rest of the Union:
but while they share in common burdens,
they intend also to share i'll common privile-
ges. Firmly attached to the form OF govern
ment, under which il has pleased benignant
Providence to cast their lot, they will be the
last to withhold due allegiance to it, so long
as they are permitted to enjoy those equal
rights which aproper seli-respect demands.
Recent occurrences have. indeed, awakened
a feeling in tho breasts of the great body
of the People of this State, which
sense of wrong, deep wrong, inflicted
without an apology, must always inspire
The present House of Representatives. of the
United States has denied to New Jersey a
right which has never before been denied to
any member OF the Union, and which, under
the Constitution, could never have been de-
MED to her the right of commissioning, ac-
cording to her own laws, members to repre-
sent her in that body. This right is vital to
the very existence OF the Federal Government,
and if its exercise be denied to any one of the
States, no Congress can be conStltutionally
normiiy of this measure, by charging the
State authorities with a violation of their
trust, is an unworthy subtcriuge. w hat has
Congress to do with your State officers! Are
not the People of the State competent to pass
Judgment on their own acts without the Inter-
ference of strangers who have no regard to
her laws and her institutions !-lf there be
any question on that subject, let II be settled
between those officers and their constituents.
1t is sufficient to command the respect OF
Congress in the first instance, that the COM
missions presented are genuine, and In form
agreeable to the laws Of the State. That this
proceeding was a violation of all principle
and usape, cannot be made more manifest
than by the fact that il is the first instance OF
the kind to be found in the parliamentary his
tory of the country or the world. During the
three weeks in which this question was deba-
ted, no precedent either i'll the records OF this
or any other country, could be furnished to
Justify it. shall not again enter upon de-
fence of the course pursued In granting the
commissions. That proceeding has been full
lv explained on former occasion. and it has
twice received the sanction OF the people OF
the State. Further to discuss it would be an
insult to that expression of public opinion
from which there is no appeal. But go be-
yond this point. Whatever differences oil
opinion might exist in reality, or be feigned
for party purposes on that question. Congress
cannot, within the legitimate exercise CT Its
authority, 90 behind the seal OF the State
They must recognise that, or there can be no
return of members from the State at all. AZ
ter that is recognised and the members take
their seats, then, for the first time, the sub
iect is under the control and direction of the
House. 1t has uniformly been held In the
House of Representatives heretofore, and il
must and will be so held hereafter.
.The New Jersey case will, in all after
times, be considered an invasion Of the rights
OF one of the sovereign States OF the Union,
for the purpose OF securing the power of a
party. Fortunately for the country, il has
had the effect to open the eyes OF the People
TO the actual condition of their Government
and taught them the danger of confiding their
interests to men who have lived long in
the sunshine of Executive patronage. The
subsequent action of Congress in placing in
dividuals, without warrant, and before inves-
tiuation in the seats, and that too while the
commissioned members were absent under
the authority Of the committee, taking testl-
mony to substantiate their claims, and the fl
nal decision of the House by a strict party
vote, without hearing, or even so much as
looking at the evidence. presents scene oil
violence and wrong wholly without precedent
or apology. If the treatment which New
Jersey has suffered had been received at the
hands of foreign power, war must have
been the inevitable consequence. But she
has been wounded in 'the house of her
triends'- and resort to force must have IN
volved not only foes but friends. She has
looked to peaceful remedies, and made her
appeal to the justice and patriotism of the
country, and all the signs of The times give
unerring indication that the appea! has not
been in vain. A great principle had been in
vaded, which affected alike all the States,
aid all the people of the States, and it was
eminently proper that their attention should
be called to it in d manner adapted to secure
she most deliberate consideration.
''Fhe subject, ] am happy to say has a.
Weakened a lively interest throughout the
country. Nor has it been confined to any
party. Many of the friends of the Admins
tration have disapproved the whole proceed
ings at Washington. Indeed, all men who
look beyond the present struggle, and have
desire to see peace and order prevail, cannot
but view it as revolutionary and subversive of
the very foundation of representative govern
ment. Several of the State Legislatures,
with spirit worthy Of enlightened ireemen,
have boldly denounced the measure as an in
iringemeu, of the rigtrs Of the States, and de-
,clared their determination TO make common
cause with US. The popular indignation has
been expressed in many places, and by large
assemblies OF the people in various parts oil
the Union; but recur with special gratifca-
ton TO the solemn protest Of fifty thousand
Of the intelligent ffeernen Of New England
recently assembled at Bunker Hill. ..Wei
protest. saws the Declaration put forth on