Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-01-30

is 1t alleged that any law ofthe State was
Vioiateo In the manner OF awarding the certii-
Gates! There is your statute book, and by it |
the Governor and Council are directed to
make up the result from the clerks returns, |
ana from them alone, and the commissions |
were awarded, after careful estimate of the |
returns from all the clerks i'm the State. |
Without violation of the law and of nv Of
ncial oath without passing by the advice of
the Council, and disregarding the unvarying
practice under the law from its enactment, no
other course could have been adopted. take
my stand by the side of the law of the land
and, amid the storms of party, seek no other
security than an approving conscience and a
iirm convection OF having faithfully discharg-
Ell my duty. But have the further satisiac-
ion to know that my Judgment has been con-
hrmed by you, gentlemen, and by the People
ot the State. But, suppose itwere otherwise;
doy hold your Executive responsible for
his acts to the Congress of the United States
ihis would be new doctrine for an independ-
ent State. am alone responsible for my
pubic acts, letme say, to the Legislature and
me People OF my own State; and deny all
right to pass upon them officially by any 9TH
er earthly power. Whether, therefore, the
. decision In granting the certificates was right
or wrong, Congress, at all events is bound
, to receive the credentials thus furnished, as
= the mandates of the State to them that they
admit her Representatives to their seats, until
4 others can show better title.
have thus presented to YOU my views of
, THIS case. find i'll it no palliating crcum-
D stances--nothlng but most unprovoked vio-
+ lation OF our rights as Il State, and impeach-
ment OF our character as u People. What
0 action you may think proper to take upon it
t must be left to your judgment and sound dis
c cretlon. AS the immediate representatives
: OF the People, you best know their feelings
C and their wishes. If there be not deep and
/, settled feeling of injury in the minds of the
: People, have not properly appreciated their
IL character. It's not among the least alarming
features OF the case, that the question has al
;, ways been carried against the rights of the
|, People of New Jersey by party vote.
C trust. gentlemen, you will vindicate the abus-
S ed honor and violated rights of the State in
= 1lrln and manly tones. That you will enter
It your solemn protest before the country against
= The usurped power of Congress, and call upon
= them even now to reconsider and reverse an
act which can only tend to ALLEVIATE the feelings
i ota State among the most devotedtothe Union.
l. l would now, and forever, deny the power of
a Congress to bind this State byher acts, while
v she denies us representation in that BODY
If there Will be but one feeling with your sis
e ter States. They cannot but see in this act
n towards New Jersey what may be their own
l. tate whenever, for party purposes, the like &C.
e ton towards them shall seem eXpedient. They
/ should be called on to declare their opinions on
d the powers now for the first time asserted on
d the floor OF Congress. While am satisfied
o ihat' consulting the wounded feelings of the
l. PEOPLE; you cannot reprobate in too strong
It Terms The Whole of this proceeding as uncon-
S shtuiIonal, illegal, and void, would still de.
: sire that you may be led into no violent OF
n lndiscreet action. The People of New Jersey
are friends to their country, and will abide by
d her fortunes for veal or for wo. | would
C SET, you take counsel from your patriotism as
IS well as from your feeling, knowing that it is
II ai"aSs more noble to suffer wrong than t.
y do wong, and in the hope that the day vii
Y yet come when our public councils Will b,
If guided by men who will regard the Const
h tuition, the laws, the rights of the State, and
n the peace and harmony of their country.
: WILLIAM PENNINGTON.
r TRENTON, Jan. If, 1910.