New-York daily tribune., 1861-11-01
NEEK-JERSEY POLITICS.
s,;,;,ed contest il going on in the lid Assembly

spiriied CONTEXT is going on in the lid Assembly
District OF Monmouih County, comprising the towns
Of Middeto WI, Raritan, llolmdel, and Aatayan.
II will bs remembered that in Mlddcioan was
called the notsbe Peace meeting which ,ailed 20 sis
nally. and counter demonstration Of 1900 Oni'n
m,.. was made on the day appointed for the anti
Administration, anli-War meeting, nearly three
months ago.
Aler tho failure Of the Peace meeting, 1t was
Given out that the wire-pulers Of tho BreckinHdge
wing Of the Democratic party would put tbeir man
/ in nomination, notwithstanding lie Overwhelming
laon sen,iment proved TO exit in tho county. DO,
keeping outwardly quiet, the managers woIhed
efectiyel, to pack the Convention and thus hnal'y
succeeded in making good their bca-s by nominating
for the Assembly, Mr.. William Hornor ct Middle
town Point. Mr. IiorEor's private character stihoa
fair but his name was on the call TOR the feaoe
meeting. ami the masses who rallied so promptly at
the Union demonstration were determined not to
hc msrepresented in the Legislature by man
tainted with the tcrofy Of Secession; 70 at umon
Convention, composed Of Of all parties ihey pat
in nomination for ihe Assembly, in opposition 10 Tie
Secession candidate, Mr. Geo. q. Murray OF Middle
town, young man new 70 theoh field oil poll-
tics of good sound talents and edncSAn, ireproach-
abe character and of Democratic antoctdents Last
Sprng, when there was no longer doubt Of the
purposes of the Southern consPintors, and upon 'ne
call OF President Lincoln, Mr. Murray took tee ileu
ard worked energe,ically TO enlist volunteers ana
rase subscriptions in support Of the Administrator
and for tie vigorous prosecution Of the war; AT tne
Union mass-meeting he was called to preside, having
written tie resolutions adopted on that occasion.
Last evenng t2stb) we had unicn meeting at
Rice Vile, at which Mr.. Murray made an effective
speech, setting forth the circumstances oil his noIhi
nation, reviewing the positions OF the Secessions's
and stating with force the general interests solved
in the present war. He deemed it good practical
democracy TO stand by tho Government and laws
when gigantic conspiracy was matured for thelr
snbyersion il ia democratic well as honorable t'
stand by the s4de Of such men as Dickinson, DIX
Butler and oher prominent Democrats, in defense o
the fundamental principles of democracy, and the III
slituiions springing from Free Government, whei
these principles and institutions are threatened VIII
overthrow; lie was ready 10 forget party IN lbs re
gard for the larger nteress of hs country and to th
extent Of Lis ability lie would sustain the Govern
men, and push tie war to an honorable colcluson.
lie was followed by Richard A. Leonard, efq.
J wbo in a vigorous, well.tmed speech, contendeC
ths, we are ia the midst Of o war for the malnten
ance of the Union and the enforcement of law Ihii
ia the real issue, Le claimed He made some capita
and telling points against tho Southern traitore anc
,ome hand hits at their abetors here at home, and
wound up by showing the disastrous consequence OF
a division at the North. Division now would be al
open confession Of the weakness Of poruhr govern
ment end would invite foreign intervention to ru
an end to system which Is a standing menace tc
aristoeraiic government the world over.
} Mr. John Cooper made the closing speech oil TIC
evening. He was delegate to the Democratic
Convention, and gave history OF the Management
Of the Breckinrdge leaders, and showed that the ex
cuse which several of thesc men gave for the appear
ance Of their names TO the Peace.meeting call wa
not valid in tho case Of Mr.. llornor, the Breckin
ridge nominee. In the Convention il not denied
that Mr.. Hornor knew what he signed; on the con-
irary, il was alleged tlat be did sign that call
deliberately, and with full intention H. have Tie
obocts Of the call carried out. In fact he was oue
OF the prime movers in arranging for that proposed
meeting, and Lis course was justified in the Con.
yeniion.
After tho meeting, Mr.. Nathaniel Roberts stated
bis view Of the right of reconstruction claimed by
the South. Does this idea Of reconstruction have
any significance And if it have, what The ac-
cession OF tho JEFF. Davis Cabinet TO Office would
only be change Of men, and not Of principles, and
therefore had special significance; it would be the
ordinary Of events under the present system.
Reconstruction means, then, II It means anything,
10 construct government upon different system-
construct tupon other principles than those Of de-
mocracy. II means to take government out of the
hands Of the people, and keep it in the hands of
clsss lie thought had not sufficiently considered
what the South meant when II demanded recons,ruc-
lion.
The important feature Of these local contests is,
that they indicate the continued vitality among us of
The Secession wing Of the Democratic party and that
concerted efforts made and 70 be- made for d.
vision Of the North in favor OF the South.
II the feeling exhibited NJ the Union mass meeting
still exists as believe il does with slight exception
there Ia but little doubt OF the success Of the Union
candidate, Mr.. Murray but the Breckenridge men
have the power Of organization, the prestige of the
old party name, and the habitude of domination ia
their favor so that the Importance Of full Union
vote can hardly be overrated. G..
Rii Jlic. Oe, a. 1861.
nnnxssasrss~saDnSe
POLITICAL.