New-York daily tribune., 1851-07-15
New Jersey frs, to Propose Union.

An extract from the grafton OF Hon. JA-
cos W MILLER al MorriStOwn, on the i,h, relates 10
tie important part New Jersey took IN the fOrma-
tlon OF the Union and Is An interesting piece OF his
tory not generally known We give the extract. AMI
Will have the pleasure OF publishing the Grafton en-
tire IN a day or two:
Il clam for our native State the honor OF having,
BY a resolution OF her Legislature, taken the first
steps towards the formation OF that more perfect
union OF the States and people, now secured under
and by the Federal Constitution. On the 2St dav OF
January, l-s6 the Legislature of Virginia passed A
resolution proposing TO her sister States to meet IN
6nilOn 10 take into consideration the trade of
the States, and to consider how far a uniform
system IN their commercial regulations might
be necessary 70 their common interest and their
permanent harmony. In answer to this call OF Viz
einla. five of the States-New Jersey being one
appointed Commissioners. who atterward met IN
Convention at Annapolis on the llih of September.
1856. Owing. however 10 the small number of States
represented, As also To the fact that all the CommS
slOners. trcspng those Of NscJersey were limited 10
the consideration OF trade anf commerce that Conven-
tion for want OF more extended powers. did nothing
more than organise adopt and publish an address o
the Several states recommending another Conven-
ton. with authority adequate 10 the occasion.
In giving al account OF the Convention, Mr. Madl-
son says" Nor had II been unnopced that the
Commission OF the Ner Jersey deputation had ex-
tended lis object 10 general pro,1sior for the err
rencies ofthe Union. A recommendation for this en-
larged purpose was accordingly reported by a Com
mtiee, to whom the subject had been referred
In this report drawn BY Alexander Hamilton. 1t IS
the object of their appointment, empowering their
Commissioners to consider how far q uniform Sys-
TEN in their commercial regulations and other ias-
p0rfaaf matters might be- necessary to the common
interest and permanent harmony OF the several
States"
The report further states that the idea of ex-
tending the power of their deputies 10 other directs
than those of commerce, which has been adopted oy
the state Of Neu-JsrSey. was an Improvement on the
original plan, and VIII deserve 10 be incorporated
into that of a future Convention
The report concludes by recommending the seve-
raj States To appoint Commissioners, with full DOW
ers TO take INTO consideration the situation OF the
United States to devise such further provisions As
shall appear them necessary TO render the Const
tuition OF the Federal Government adequate to the
emergencies of the Union In pursuance of tins
recommendation the several states appointed tom-
mssioners and clothed them with those enlarged po~
srs as suggested by Ne,r-Jersey They met IN Conven'
tion in Philadelphia, on the 2d Monday IN May l7s1,
and the result of their deliberations was the Constr
tuition of the United states.
Madison is called the father of the Constitution,
and Hamilton Is known as ITS able>t defender, yet u
appears by the testimony of both these distinguished
statesmen that New-JcrSey has the honor OF having
made the first suggestion TO her sister states, Whch
finally led themuntedly to adopt that noble lnStru,
ment Thus It was, and such was me hlsIotical t
truth that the people Of New-Jersey who had been
among the first to declare Independence. and who
had stood iii the front Of the battles which had mann
tanned and achieved the Independence were also the
first great work Of Constitutional Union.
which all the States were animated with the spirit OF
high and noble patriotism il might be considered
presumptuous IN us TO claim distinction for our
selves but IN this day of puing anu OF clustering,
when individuals and States are proclalmng oy
words their peculiar devotion 10 the constitution
and the Union, may be pardoned IN referring 10
historical facts which show that New-Jersey was
the earliest protector of that Union, which IT mas
been the pride of her sons 10 MAINTAIN WIN unvary.
ing devotion. and unAinching fidelity. we boast not
of extended territory, nor Of commercial wealth, nor
of political powers we are neither the empire nor
the keystone State, yet may venture TO claim Tor
ourselves that which our annals record, obedience
to law devotion to the Union, and loyalty to the
Constitution"
How different the tone of this speech to that
recently delivered by Com. Stockton, Senator
Miler's associate IN the United States Senate
While Senator Miller counsels moderation and
the preservation of the Union, Com. Stockton
arrays himself side by side with the most unscru-
pulous Secessionlss Of the South.