The daily union., 1852-02-13

excitement and caused these laws 10 be respected and ae
guessed in BY all parties No man can now say with
any show Of truth, that these laws were the result OF
combination. Neither any man, set OF men, as
themselves the peculiar honor and glory Of sau
ing he Union BY e passage Of these aloS Tor they were
respectively passed by the OF men oil all parties aud
IA opposition 10 votes from all classes OF politicians
ms constitutes the true strength Of the Compromise aud
secures IRON repeal. All these laws but two have
been executed and beyond tho power OF repeal
Inc law aoolishng the slave trade in the District and
he iuSnye-sase law are all that can possibly be made
the subect oil further agitation. The former
thinks OF dstubingthe latter although threatened with
opposition IN lew localities has the acquiescence il
ne apploOalioD, o Inc country Nowhere is the ques-
uon agtaed with any seriousness except in legislative
has-exhbiliDg the strange anomaly OF a people upon
enacments, while the at0maker are by these er post
laGto agalons, disturbing the sancues OF law which
they themselves created
here desire state my own course with regard 10 the
Before the Committee of Thirteen was raised and
while The resolutions OF the senator from Kentucky
were under discussion, expressed, in speech made
here, my opinions and views upon that measure.
then, IN substance, said that, owing construction
which the Supreme Court of the United States had, in
late decision, put upon the law of Congress relative
the surrender OF fugitive slaves. aud also upon the State
laws upon the same subject, became the duty OF Con-
gress to pass some new law, IN order 10 carry out
eectually the requirements OF the constitution; and |
then declared my purpose 10 vote for any proper law that
tempted in my feeble way to defend New Jersey against
what considered an lmpuation upon her honor, that
she would not faithfully carry out The requirements of
charge me with any facous opposition to the fugitive
slave law, or to suspect me OF disposition 10 sgitate
that subject
/ When the Senate finally acted upon that measure,
was confined at my house in New Jersey by sickness
Had been present on that occasion. | should have
preferred the bill presented by the late senator from
Massachusetts [Mr. Webserl 10 the which passed
the Senate ! think that bill would have been more
acceptable 10 the North, and would have secured the
rights of the South efiecually the present law
Bat, whatever opposition may have felt II nay duty TO
make to any either OF The measures embraced in the
Compromise while under discussion, yet, soon they
were enacted into laws, it became my duty as il is the
duty Of every good citizen, TO sustain them, with as
much fidelity il had voted for each and all OF them
la saying this, bat express the common sentiment OF
| the people OF New Jersey who have always shown
their devotion TO republican institutions by cheer
voice is expressed in constitutional law.
| am now opposed TO all further agitation upon this
subject The quiet Of the country and even the sanctiy
of Congress- demand that should cease our dispua-
tons Sir, my adherence to agitation upon this subject
is such that il may carry beyond my instTuc-
tons; ior go against agitation on y either side OF
this question-agltation as well by those who were
in favor OF The Compromise as by those who were
against it-agation from the North well as from
the South-agltation in State Legislatures and in the
halls of Congress. OF all miserable agitation is agi-
taton after the fact 1t is the cry of alarm, alter the
danger is passed, for the mere love OF the excite
ment. To revive spent whrwind that 1t may blow
down few trees--to the sleeping lion merely
hear him roar again-may suit the taste OF some but
they who indulge in this kind OF excitement may hnd
that there is danger than amusement in the play
My desire TO secure repose and quiet TO the country
upon this subject will also compel me to vote to lay on
the table the resolution offered by the late senator from
Mississippi reafirmng the Compromise. consider that
resolution, although not intended by the mover, an
indirect impeachment OF the law throwing doubt upon
its supremacy and opening the door Tor renewed agta-
ton upon subject which the country desires should re-
main al rest.
One of these resolutions declares
THAT New Jersey, of the original thirteen States
has always adhered the constitutions and inalenaby
attached to the Unon and that she will resist to the extent
Of her ability any inacon OF that sacred instrument
Mr. President it was scarcely necessary for the legs-
aue TO declare at Trenon Tor me TO repeat the dec
araon in the Senate of the United States that the people
of New Jersey had always adhered TO the constitu-
tion and inalienably attached 10 the URon dld
suppose that that fixed fact, and need not to be
re-resolved upon.
Devotion 10 the constitution and the Unionone and
the same-is universal feeling in New Jersey-a
domestic passonaspure as the genial AR OF her green
hills and notorious her revolutionary battle ieds
is written in her history from the earliest annals 10 the
present hour and it is recorded in the proceedings OF the
convention which formed the constitution, where il ap-
pears that New Jersey had the honor TO make the first
suggestion to her sister States which led to The formation
OF our glorious Union.
ador strength by being mboded in the cold forms of
Legislative resolutions, for il has abiding home in the
warm heart OF every true Jerseyman.
But sir loyalty 10 the constitution is not derived
FROM tanned by, the principle stated in the preamble
these resolutions is there asserted that the cons
tuition is compact between the several States and that it
was established by the States in their sovereign capaci
ties. will read that part OF the preamble
"Whercas the constitution of the United States
pact the several Sates and forms the basis Of
federal Union
And whereas the said States through their representa-
tves sovereign capacities States by adopting said
constitution only such TO the general
eminent form more perfect union,
establish Justice insure domestic tranquility provide for
the defence, promote the general welfare, and
cure the blessings Of liberty themselves and postery
These are not Jersey Dords Jersey sentiments They
are taken from the vocabulary OF another State, and
the teachings OF political school in which the people of
New Jersey (if their senators are) have been
strusted Our devotion TO the constitution rests upon a
foundation deeper and broader than that formed by
mere compact between the States Our allegiance is to
national Onion ordained and established by the people OF
the United States This is the Union which the people OF
New Jersey helped TO form. This is the government
which they ready to sustain with Tree and loyal
hearts.
The legislature of New Jersey will therefore pardon
me IT, on this OCCASION shall take for my rule OF con-
duct the preamble the constitution OF the United States
in preference to that prefxed TO these resolutions
Mr. STOCKTON. | have also had the honor to re-
ceve copy OF the resolutions that were passed by the
senate and general assembly OF the state oil New Jersey
and which have Just been presented BY my honorable
friend and colleague, Mr. MnLER1 These resolutions
are patriotic and expressive and need no commentator
explanation from me nor Is necessary hat shouid
express my opinions in regard TO the subject OF which
they treat further than 10 say that entirely in
the sentiments which they express have heretofore
expressed my opinions. | have written and spoken
much upon this subject perhaps ought TO write
speak upon any subject And il senators and the eoun
try are not well informed with regard TO my opinions,
certainly the fault is not mine II would likewise be
quite supeauous il 10 attempt any vindcation OF
he which New Jersey has taken in regard TO the
"A a. -. a.. Asba