The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-03-28
The New Jersey Resolutions.
Protest Against the Abolition War Policy.

III tue -9eW Jersey house Oh HepreScn-
tasive., on the 18th inst, the following
resolutions were adopted by vote of IS
to l3, the resolutions having previously
passed the Senate:
l. BE 1t further Resolved BY tie Senate ana
General Assem!Iy OF the .Slte of New .jersey.
That this State, in promptly answering
the calls made by the President of the
United States, ut and since the inaugu
ration Of the war, for troops and means
to assist in maintaining the power and
dignity Of the Federal Government, be-
lieved and confded in the professions and
declarations of the President Of the United
States, in his inaugural address, and in
the resolution passed bv Congress on the
18th day of July, 1861, in which, among
other things, i. was declared "thut the
war is not waged for conquest or subjuga
tiOn, or interfering with the rights or
established institutions of the States, but
to maintain and defend the supremacy OF
the constitution, with the rights and
equality under it unimpa red, and that,
rs soon as these objects shall be accom-
plished, the war ought to cease; and that,
relying upon these assurances, z wen under
the sancti,y Of official oatls, this State
freely, fully. and without delay or cond
tions, contributed to the assistance of the
Federal Government her sons and her
means.
> And Je It rcsoHcsd, That this State,
having waited for the redemption Of the
sacred pledge. Of the President and Con
gress with patience and forbearauce only
equalled in degree by the unfaitering and
umswcrving bravery and fidelity OF her
sons, conceives it To be her solemn duty,
as it is her un1uestionable right, to urge
upon Congress, in the most respectful but
decided manner, the redemption OF the
pledges under which the troops OF this
State entered upon and TO this moment
have continued in the contest; and mas
much as no conditions have delayed nor
hesitation marked her zeal in behalf of
the Federal government, even at times
when party docmas were dangerously
u,urping the place of broad national prin-
Ciples and Executive and Congressional
faith and As the devotion OF this State
to the sacred cause of perpetuating the
Union and maintaining the constitution
has been untaiutcd in any degree by in
fidelity, bicotry, sectionali,m, or partisan
ship, she now, IN view of the faith orei.
naiiy plightcd. OF the disasters and
disgrace that have marked the steps
o. a changed and changing policy and
o! the imminent daRgers that threaten,
our national existence, urges upon the
President and Congress a return and adj
here 10 the original policy Of the admins
tration, as the only means. under the
blessing of God, 10y which the adhcrng
States can be reunited III action, the l MON
restored. and the nation saved.
3 and be It Rss9lrel That il is the de
libcrate sense of the people of this State
that the war power within the limits of
the constitution is ample for any and all
emergencies; and that all assumptions of
power, under whatever plea, bcyom! tha,
by the constitution, are without
warrant or authority, and if permitted 10
continue without remoUstrauce, will final
ly encompass the destruction Of the liter
ties Of the people and the death OF the
Republic; and therefore, to the end that
in any event the matured and deliberate
sense of the people o! New Jersey may be
known and declared, we. their Representa-
tiSes IN Senate aud General Assembly
convened. DO, III their behalf, make unto
the Federal government this our solemn
rEoTfsr.
Against n war waced with the insurcent
States for III" accomplishment of uncon-
stitutl"nai or partisan purposes;
Against q war which has for its object
the suhiusation of any of the States, with
4 view 10 their reduction TO a Territorial
condition
Against prociamations from any source
by which, under the plea of military
necessity, persons in States and Territo-
ries sustaining the Federal government.
and beyond necessary military lines, are
hello liable 10 the rigor and severity of
military law;
Against the domination Of the military
over the civil law in States, Territories. Or
Districts not in q state OF instruction;
Against all arrests without warrant ;
against the suspension of the writ oe haJeas
corpus in States and Territories sustaining
the Federal government, Z" where the pub
lie safety does not require it ;; and against
the assumption of power by any person to
suspend such writ, except under the
express authority of Congress;
Against the creation OF new States by
the division of existing ones, or in any
other manner not clearly authorized by
the constitution, and against the right of
secession as practically admitted by the
action Of Congress in admitting as new
State portion of the State of Virginia;
Against the power assumed in the pro-
clamation of the President made January
one. eighteen hundred and sixty-three, by
which all the slaves in certain States and
parts of States are forever set free and
against the expenditure of the public
moneys for the emancipation of slaves OF
their support at any time, under any pre-
tence whatever;
Against any and every exercise Of power
upon the part of the Federal government,
that is not clearly given ana expressed in
the Federal MISUNDERSTANDING that
"the powers not delegated to the United
bv it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people
4. Aad be IL Rssokred, That the unequal.
cd promptress with which New Jersey
has responded to every call made by the
President and Congress for men and means
has been occasioned by no lurking animosi
ty to the States Of the South or the rights
of her people; no disposition to wrest from
them any Of their rights, privileges oil
property; but simply to assist in maintain
ing. as she has ever believed and now be-
lieves 1t to be her duty TO do, the suprema
cy of the Federal constitution and, while
abating naught in her devotion to the
Union of the States and the dignity and
power of the Federal government, at nc
time since the commencement of the
present war has this State been other thar
willing to terminate peacefully and honora
bly, to all war unnecessary in its origin
frausht with horror and suffering in it.
prosecutions, and necessarily dangerous to
the liberties Of all in its continuance
5. And be it Resolved. That the Lesisla
ture of the State of New Jersey believes
that the appointment of Commissioners
upon the part of the Federal governmen
to meet Commissioners similarly appointee
by the insurgeDt States, TO convene in som,
suitable place, for the purpose OF consider
ing whether any, and if any what, plar
NAV be adopted consistent with the hono