The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-11-19
NEW JERSEY.

The Legislature Of New Jersey met on
Tuesday las. We have received d copy Of
Governor PENNINGToN's Message to the
Houses. The following is What be SAYS of
the outrage pefPe,rated By the Van Buren,
party in Congress on the rights Of the State.
The spirit and tone Of The Governors Ian
guags are such as suit the occasion:
s" In the issue of this great struggle New
Jersey has deep interest. Her ci,tzens
haze a common destiny with the rest Of the
Union buI while they share in comnon
burdens, they intend aIse TO share 10 com
mon privileges. Firmly attached 10 the
form Of Government under winch il has
pleased bcniEnant Providence to cast iheil
lot, they VIII be tie last 10 withhold due al
.cgiauce to il, so long as they are permitted
10 enjoy those equal rights which proper
sclfrespecl demands. Recent occurrences
have, indeed awakened feeling ia the
breasts Of the great body Of the People Of
this State, winch a sense Of wrong, deep
wrong, olltcted without an apology, must
always inspire. The present House oG Re
representatives. Of the United States has de,
Med 10 New Jersey right which has uev
err before been denlpd 20 any nsmber OF the
Union, and which, uader the Constitution,
could never have been denied TO her: the
right Of commissioning. according to hcr
own laws, members 10 represent her in that
body. This right IS vital % the very ez
istence Of tho Federal Government, and il
its exercise be denied to any one of the
States, no Congress can be cnnstltuu0ually
organized. The attempt to cxlenua,e the
enorlnlty Of this measures, by charging the
State auihortuss with violation Of their trust,
is an unworthy subterlUgr. " hat has
Congress to da with yeur State officers =
Are 30; the People O. The Stale competent
to pass ludgmeH, on their own acts without
the interference Of strangers who have no
regard TO her laws and her Institutions Ii
there be any question on that subject, let 1t
be settled between those officers aud their
1t 10 sulliclen, to command
the respect Of Congress ~ the first instance,
that the commissions presented are genuine,
and IN form agreeable to the laws of the
State. That this proceeding IS a violation
Of all principles aud usage, cannot be made
more manifest than by the fact that It is the
first instance OF the kind to be found in the
parliamentary history Of the country or the
world. During the three weeks III which
dis question vas debated, no precedent,
either in the records ST this or any other
country, could be furnished to Justify It. |
shall not again enter upon defence of the
course pursued in granting the commissions.
That proceeding has been fully explained
On a former occasion, and it has twice re
ceiyed the sanction of the People Of the
State. Further to discuss 1t would be an
insult TO that expression of public opinion
from which there Is no appeal. Bat 20
beyond this point. Whatever differences
Of opinion might exist IN reality, or be
leigned for party purposes on that question,
Congress cannot, wlthin the legitimate eX
ercse of lis authority, 60 behind the seal
of the State. They must recognise that,
or there can ba no return of members from
the State at ALL After that is recognised,
and the members take their seats, then, for
the first time, the subject is under the con,
troll and direction of the House. It has
been so held IN the House of Re.
heretofore, and 1t 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 pow.
er of party. Fortunately for the country,
it has had the effect to open the eyes of the
People TO the actual condition of their Gov.
eminent, and taught them tho danger OF
their interests TO men who have
lived too long in the sunshine of Executive
patronage. The subsequent action Of Con
gress in placing individuals, without war
rant, and before investigation, IN the seats,
and that too while the commissioned mem
bers were absen, under the authority of the
taking testimony TO subs,nntiate