Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-17

of some ether States, have a1ecteo
10 deride us-to treat US as outside barbarl
ans-as being out Of the United States-as
If our public men could be purchased-as II
New Jersey was Only fit for a receptacle OF
the nuisance which our large and AFRO
CANT sister deems too filthy and obnoxious to
rest in her pure bosom. This vilifying and
undertaking of New Jersey has so long pre-
that even some of our OWL citizens
ignorant it may be Of the true history OF our
gallant State, seem to acquiesce, or at an
events, silently submit. | confess, gentle
men, to a love of the State of my nativity
an honest pride in the beloved home OF my
ancestors, for many generations, tits. | trust,
q commendable feeling it is one which
should be cherished and nurtured on every
suitable occasion. This occasion, when we
have met as Jerseymen when we nave here
assembled the representatives OF every por-
ton of the State, seems eminently a proper
time to refer briefly to the present position
and past history of New jersey, and see
what rank we occupy among our sister
States.-In manufactures, in proportion to
her population, New Jersey stands among
the first In agriculture, she excels. Her
soil is computed of greater value, and more
productive per acre, than that of any other
State. Her public improvements are unsur-
passed. Her railroads, now completed and
under construction will traverse every Coun-
ty in the State. &dRnpared with the extent
Of her territory, she possesses more miles of
railroad than any other State they are the
best constructed and best managed in the
country and what is worthy of remark, they
did not cost the State a dollar, but they fur
nish her a revenue which contributes towards
the education of her youth, constructs her
public institutions, and supports her govern
ment without the aid of a State tax.
If we turn from the contemplation Of our
present condition, to a brief review of our
history, we find nothing which need sink us
to inferiority, but everything to entitle US
to rank, at least equal with any of our sis
ter States. A Livingston and Pennington
at an early day a Seuthard and Wall in
more recent time, types Of others | do
not now mention, testify the ability, states
manship and patriotism Of our public men.
A wise system Of laws has always been adj
ministered by a learned and Independent ju-
dietary. And if we turn to our military history,
what is the record? In the American reyo-
luton no State suffered SO much as New
Jersey. Language cannot depict the priva-
ton and suffering her people endured. Time
would fail nae, Should / attempt to enumerate
the sons Of New Jersey who distinguished
themselves in that war; but among them
there was enc who was the pride of the army
In every conflict where he was engaged, he
was in the hottest Of the fight, and wherever
his white plume was seen towering above the
combatants, there the eyes Of all were di-
rected, confident that victory would perch
upon his banner. That gallant officer was
Gen. Daniel Morgan, a native Of New Jer-
sey.
In the war of 1912, who was the brave
officer that led the attack at Little York
Unable to withstand the discipline and cour-
age of his command, the British, with dis
graceful ~barbarity, determined, after placing
themselves in safety, by strategen. to destroy
his army by exploding the Notifications they
dare not defend. As that gallant commander
was leading the attack, the terrible deed was
executed be was stricken down, and amid
that dreadful carnage. with his expiring
breath, exclaiSaed to his still advancing
troops, " Push on, brave fellows, and avenge
your Geusra1.n That hero, whose name
should be familiar to every patriots tongue,
was Gen. Zebulon Pike, a native of New
Jersey:
In December, 1919 was fought the first
of that series Of naval engagements which
successfully contested with Great Britain her
boosted title of Mistress of the Seas
The Java was captured by the Constitution,
and throughout the country wild huzzas went
up for Old Ironsides, and her commander,
that gallant son of New Jersey, Commodore
William cambridge.
Scarcely had the news of this victory
reached tie distant portions of the coun-
try, when the nation was again startled
by a naval triumph still more @deci-
ded. The Peacock was silenced and sunk
by the Hornet, in less than Is minutes. It
was the most brilliant naval victory on rec
ord. The Captain of the Hornet was Jas.
Lawrence. a Jerseyman. The New Workers.
have appropriated to themselves his remains
In Trinity Church yard a stone marks his
resting place in conjunction with another
naval hero and while the place of the ma
tivitv of the other is given az New York. the
birth place of Lawrence is singularly omit
ted.
| might mention many others, the sons of
New Jersey, whe have distinguished them
selves on land and sea. | might speak of
Capt. Richard Somers, who in the year 1904,
at the harbor of Tripeli, with all his crew,
met death on the Intrepid, while engaged in
an enterprise for which he was selected on
account If his bravery. 1 might also speak
Of an occurrence Of comparatively recent
date, when, after repeated consultations be-
tween old commanders, and q vast expendi-
ture of money in making preparations to
lombard a Mexican town, young Alvarado
Hunter, tired Of waiting, ran into the harbor
one fine morning, and took the place before
breakfast. To be sure this was a little out
of order, bat then be could not help it, for
the jersey pluck could not be restrained.
Whatever may be said about the conquest
of California, that important part of our
confsderacy, we in New Jersey very well
know that the real cenquerer of California
was a distinguished Jeyseynsan, still living, of
real Jersey stock, and grandson of enc who
signed the Declaration of American hide
pendence.
I have thus, gentlemen, alluded to these
facts, not in any spirit Of exultation or boast
ing, not that I claim New Jersey to be supe-
rior to all other States, but to prove that she
is equal to any, inferior to none to refresh
our recollection Of her history, and kindle
anew a commendable State pride. AS Jer-