Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-12-12

question on that subject, let It be settled between
those officers and their constituents 1t is suff.
cent to command the respect Of Congress in the
first instance, that the commissions presented are
genuine, and in form agreeable to the laws OF the
State. That this proceeding was violation Of
ell principle and 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 his.
tory of the country or the world During the
three weeks in which this question was debated,
no precedent either in the records Of 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 pro-
Ceedng has been fully explained on former oc'
cason and it has twice received the sanction OF
the People OF the Stale. Further to discuss it
would be an insult TO that expression Of public
opinion from which there is no appeal. But | go
beyond this point. Whatever difference Of opn-
ion might exist in reality, or be legned for party
purposes on that question, Congress cannot, within
The legitimate exercise Of its authority, go behind
the seal of the State, They must recognise that
or there can be 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 control and direction Of the
House. 1t has uniformly been so 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 purose
Of securing the power OF a party. Fortunately
for the country, it has had the effect to open the
eyes OF the People 10 the actual condition Of their
Government, and taught them the danger Of con.
fdng their interest to men who have have lived
To- Of ara
The subsequent action Of Congress in placing in
dviduals, without warrant, and before invesliga.
| ton, in the seats, and too while the commissioned
members were absent under the authority Of the
committee, taking testimony to substa,Itiate their
claims, and the final decision OF the House by a
strict party vote, without hearing o. even so much
as looking at the evidence presents scene Of vio-
lence and wrong wholly without precedent or
apology. If the treatment which New Jersey has
suffered had been received at the hands OF for.
egn Power, war must have been the inevitable
consequence. But she has been wounded in the
! house Of her friends resort to force must
have involved 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 appeal has not been in vain. A great
principle had been invaded, which affected alike
all the States and all the people Of the States, and
it was eminently proper that their attention should
be called 10 it in manner adapted TO secure then
most deliberate consideration.
'The subject, | am happy to say, has awakened
lively interest throughout the country. Nor has
it been conided 10 any party. Many Of the friends
Of the Administration have disapproved the whole
proceedings at Washington. Indeed, all men
who look beyond the present struggle, and have 4
desire to see peace and order prevail, cannot bu
view it as revolutionary and subversive Of the very
foundation Of representative government. Several
of the State Legislatures, with spirit worthy o.
enlightened freemen, have boldly denounced the
measure as an Infringement OF the rights Of the
States and declared 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 of the
Union; but recur with special qualification to
the solemn protest Of fifty thousand Of the intel.
Iigent Greenen of New England recently assem-.
bied at Bunker Hill. 'We protest, says the
Declaration put forth on that occasion, against
the conduct of the House of Representatives in the
case Of the New Jersey election. This is not a
| local, but a general question. In the union Of
the States, on whatever link the blow Of in Justice
or usurpation falls, it is felt, and ought to be felt
throughout the whole chain. The cause Of New
Jersey is the cause Of every State and every State
is therefore bound to vindicate it.
But while we duly appreciate these grateful
expressions Of sympathy let me remind you gen.
tlemen, that we have solemn duty to perform
To us, as citizens Of New Jersey, is committed il
la special manner the vindicaton Of her rights, ant
it becomes every Jerseyman to embrace the only
mode prescribed by the Constitution to express his
honest indignation and assert the sovereignty ofh.
State The citizen who could passivey consen
to see the seal Of his State, which is the emblem
of her sovereignty, Frustrated in the dust may ust
y be pronounced unworthy to enjoy the protection
which it ensures. 1t is gratifying to believe tina
those who have thus violated our rights are likely
TO be deprived OF the power 10 inaict further wound:
on the Union; but, should like encroachment be
attempted under any administration Of this Gov
eminent, it will become the duty Of the LegjsIa
ture to convene an assembly OF the People tc
consider measures Of security and protection"
The remainder OF the Message is devoted tc
local State interest. The Governor recommends
abolition of Imprisonment for debt, where nc
fraud is suspected.
Gov. PENNINGToN has been reelected by the
| Legislature for the ensuing year, by vote Of SO
to 12-a signal and honorable proof Of the appro
baton Of his fellow citizens.
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE