Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-17
Remarks of Joel Parker, Esq,
At the Highlands, Monmouth County, N. J
June 10M, 1858.


| have been requested, by our generous
host, to open the festivities of this occasion
with some remarks. In the first place, on his
behalf, l thank you, gentlemen of the Legis-
~lature, Executive Officers of the State Of
New Jersey, and all others here assembled,
for the honor you have done him by your
presence. Accept this substantial evidence
of his qualification, and partake, without re
serve or formality, of the hospitality Of his
table. He extends to you a Monmouth vel
come.
We are assembled, gentlemen, at one Of
the most romantic and beautiful spots upon
the globe. Around this locality cluster many
interesting historical associations. Nearly
two centuries and a half have passed away
since the eyes of Hendrick Hudson and his
adventurous companions, from yonder Ocean,
first beheld this lofty peak of the Highlands
Before the prov of their vessel was turned
towards the waters of New Amsterdam, they
landed on this shore. Before the place,
where now exists the great city of the
Western Hemisphere had been discover
ed-at a time, when that spot. now the MART
Of busy commerce, was unknown to the en-.
lightened world, those men, the precursors
of an emigration which was to rescue a cont
nsntfrom barbarism, stood near where we now
are. Yes, it was here, that the foot of civil
lied man first trod the soil of the Middle
States. Where all was then an unbroken will
derness, the representatives of a fourishing
and powerful State are this day assembled.
This is. indeed, an interesting incident.
| will mention another. In the year 1882,
a gallant American officer was captured by
the enemy not as a spy, not in any charac-
ter which msrited a disgraceful punishment,
but fighting gallantly, and defending himself
to the last extremity, against a superior force.
l refer to Capt. Joshua Huddy, of Monmouth
County. He was taken to yender point, and
there suffered the ignemiHious death of the
seafold. He died as he had lived, brave and
unfinching. 1t was an act which disgraced
Great Britain, that pattern of civilization in
profession. but, in reality, the most cruel and
INSCRIPTIONS pewer of ohristsndom, in her
mode of warfare. The En- slish authorities
explained and a%pologized for the inhuman
and dastardly act, just as they now explain
and apologize for every violation of the law
OF nations and humanity but all would not
have availed to prevent Washington from
applying the lea ~talionis, had not peace spec
Oily followed.
There are other facts connected with the
history of this vicinity, worthy of nstice, did
time permit their recital. II. gentlemen, you
could go with US into the interior of this
County Of Monmouth, (which l am proud to
call the place of my BIRTH we could point
out to yeu many spots, around which the
spirit of patriotism would love to linyer-
In the time that tried mems souls, the soil of
our County was literally delugsd with blood.
There was scarcely 2 family that did not
mourn the loss OF at least Ons of it's mem
bers. | see around me many Monmouth men.
the descendants of those gallant sires, who
suffered so much for their country. They
have come here to welcome you. Nothing
would please them better, gentlemen, than to
have You extend this visit further into their
County.-With an intelligent, Industrious,
and patriotic population sell unsurpassed
in fertility - locality npon the broad
ocean, with it's hundred arms and sstuaries,
forming her outer boundary, there is nothing
to prevent the advance of Monmouth in the
race of improvement, if she be permitted to
take care of herself. We do not ask legisla-
tien-we ask only protection. We ask to be
let alone. For years past, a powerful inter-
est in another State, has exerted every inlu-
ence for its own benefit, to locate in our
midst, that, which by universal consent, is
declared a nuisance. We thank you, gentle
men, for your aid in defeating this insulting
proposition, and on behalf of all these Mon
mouth men here gathered around you, and in
the name of the whole County, 1 here pub
licly thank you, our late and present Execu-
tives, both Of whom are near me,) and YOU,
members of the Legislature of the State of
New Jersey, fer your efforts in preventing
the establishment here of that Lazaretto.
which W. deem injurious to our whole Coun-
ty, and destructive to this entire section
Time will not permit me now to enter int an
argument upon this subject There is no ne
to do SO. You have all investigated
question, and by your votes prove that
you understand it; bat we, the people of
wish it to be distinctly under
stood, that we are q unit on this question,
and we alsc wish it understood, new and for
time, that we will net suffer the Quaran-,
tine of another State to be established on our
territory, without exhausting the extremity
Of legal and constitutional means to prevent
i.