Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-19
lsiyeIy and eminently matter Of domestic nol.

lsively and eminently matter of domestic mol.
icy, and controlled by each State for itself
In order that this State sovereignty shall
not be perverted or abused as it might by re-
fusing acts Of Justice or comfy to sister States.
the federal constitution provides against such
emergencies; and inasmuch as persons owing
service In one State, would be very likely to
escape to another where they would be free
an express provision was introduced; by gen.
eral consent to protect, and enforce, the rights
OF the master to reclaim his absconding SER
want. However odious the institution of slave
ry may have become, or whatever religion,
logic, or eloquence may urge against it, the
original compact binds each and every State
in the Union to a recognition of the rights of
the master to retain that species OF property
at home, unmolested, and to reclaim his SER
want in any other State, where he may be
found. Whatever federal legislation is needed
to give effect to that right, is merely in fur
therance of the original compact, and aid and
countenance given to the denial or abridge-
ment Of it, is an act of bad faith, and Of evil
tendency. On the same principle, every en-
croachment Of the system of slavery upon
ground not clearly ceded to it by the original
compact. is in violation of it, and may be just
ly and lawfully resisted.
Nothing is ominous of greater danger to
the welfare of the country, than the hostility
which has been eDgendered between different
sections, by the subject of slavery. If the
prevailing mode Of treating it were fitted
to suppress the traffic in slaves. or even to
ameliorate the acknowledged evils Of the sys-
TEN, we might be less intoerant of the course :;
but its tendency is altogether in the opposite
direction. and it is to be feared, that those
who are most active and prominent agitators.
are influenced as little by Justice and humanity
as by patriotism New Jersey has always
been true to her federal engagements. and
has fallen behind none of her sister States in
fidelity to the Union; and it is hazarding
nothing TO say that she sympathises with no
party that seeks its dissolution. While firmly
resolved to maintain her own rights, as guar
anteed by the Constitution, she freely con-
cedes to others theirs, as secured by the
same. While ultraists in different sections
are publishing unsound opinions in imAamma.
tory and opprobrious language; while an ex-
cited press, by bitterness and exaggeration,
is increasing the estrangement between the
citizens OF our common country: while dis
oOAO''ou VI "uO OhtOH 10 ilocif UiSCuSseuy duu
angrily threatened in legislative halls; while
the thoughtful are anxiously bordering on
what the end will be of all this agitation n.
Jersey stands unmoved, where she has always
stood, with no new ideas respecting her own
rights and duties, or those of her sister States:
and as she was among the first to ratify the
Constitution, so will she be among the last to
violate any Of its provisions; and that Union,
in the benefits and glories of which she has
shared, with all the powers that God has Civ
en-, she will endeavor to perpetuate until the
latest day.
1t will be not less my pleasure, than my
duty, to concur with the other branches of the
government, in measures to advance the pros
perity harmony and happiness of our country
and while we look to Him, "by whom kings
reign, and princes decree justice" for the wis
dom which he alone can give, we may hope
that these measures will be crowned with sue
cess.
At its conclusion the benediction was pro-
nounced by Rev. John Hall, and the Senate
adjourned until Wednesday morning.