Year: 1864

OF the Constitution to the people OF the several States


manage for themselves In the North the people, without


Interference from the other section declared for its
abolishment. There those, however, who are not
with t1l. aud insist upon eradcating the last
what constitutional rights interpose or how many fields
are deugrd with blood


Some believe that will destroy all hope Of union


they maintain that II 10 best for the of the whole
country that should be withdrawn that the flow
OF blood houd be permitted before both sections
become entirely exhausted that with the withdrawal Of
our a'mes reason would resume its sway ard the South
permitted to depart peace would future
Voluntarily return to the Union The policy they rrcom
mend, however sincerely entertained would certainly
suit In perpetual disunon and would emerge from
present only to be- involved other conflicts less
bloody, which would inevitably flow from separation. The
withdrawal Of our armies would be confession If weak
ness and the Confederacy would ut be
by foreign Powers people who would sundeT the ties
which bound them to the Union and endure much in
the effort to establish independent government at
tanning the Object, would voluntarily surrender their
nationality NO such instance is record What result
such action might have before the destruction
Of 80 much life and The desolaton of many homes
will never know The withholding of and the with
drawai OF our armies would be equivalent to surren
dering the Union forever The way peace which they
propose would not only lead to continual but to the
overthrow of system Of Government The right Of
recession acknowledged the remaining States would
soon be subiivded into petty pr"vinces and involved
endss warfare would soon become the Of sne ann
btous conqueror 1t is the duty Of the State authorities
to furnish the necessary to destroy The armed power
Of the rebellion and it is equally the duty Of the General


to accompany the exercise Of the power en-
trusted to it with prrper tarms OF concliaiOn.


Others aliege that of controlling influence insist
that the old Union under the present Const ution shall
never be restored tpa there shall be q" Unon uarss
slavery be first abolished that arbitrary power n direct
antagonism with constitutional rights has been employed
the loyal states that military rule and horzrd
test hs have in instances inerered with the
dom of elections, ard that who love the Union and
sustain the Government bur protest against this pol cy,
are denounced az traitors and proscbtd from places of
position both military and civil The truth OF these ale
cations sustained by facts and yet they no complain
are not justified the abatement of their Ell ts to subdue
the rebellion. Wise will not be driven from the path
OF duty byt vtuyeraton Of others Whatever
tbers may say do will not pail ate the crime Of
those who took against the Gvernment lessen
tho obligations of patriotic to aid n their overthrow
We should not abandon the Government Of country
engaged IN war with those who would destroy our national
ex teBce whether temporarily administered to liking
not. The Government is designed to be perpetual,
while Administrations transient We must ub iue the
rebellion and the country ia spite Of all cues.


That which nereres with The speedy restoration Of the
Uuon under the Constitution whether it proceeds from
the enemy exists among ourselves, be
Every obstacle in the way whether it be the eb armies
he fatal Icy OF those in power should be swept from
existence by the people, in the by the of
military force, and in the other by the untranmeI-d
crcise of The elective franchise Howevrr strong our
armies may become, success will be delayed unless
have the right civil policy. In fact, with ut the right
civil policy victory will not give us Union worthy of tho
name


The State for which You legislae occupies proud posi-
ton In every emergency she has proved Re-
fame 10 every which the country has
been engaged New Jersey has contributed freely of her
and her Her people patriotic,
vave and eminently national. They have always been
willing to stand BY the contract fathers made it,
They have always observed the constitutional rights Of
other States and the nation They love the Union and
will labor for its preservation the frat great object
b. accomplished They will hail the day when those in
rebellion shall lay down their and beneath
the folds OF national banner While they will prnmpt-
meet every constitutional demand of the General Gov
ernment and contrbute TO the extent o th-r
overthrow armed .beon yet they will nue IT, protest
against every innovation Of their rights the rights ~ the
STATES and against any policy which to them de-
sructlve to the Constitution, and unnecessarily posp
The triumph of our and the ~ upon
just erms, the basis OF the Union of sovereign and
EQUAL States,


In the midst OF afcton, hearts should swell
with gratitude to the Al hor OF every good perfect
gt for the many dressings He has vouchsacd t. during
the year that has past. He has protected m
the nva Ter, and preserved peace within bodsrs He
has rewarded industry and crowned with plenty the la
bnrsof the husbandman. May He give all wisdom to
scern the rgn and hearts to duty when discern
cd and in His infinite mercy may He look with compas


sion upon bleeding and distracted country and again
give US peace union, and prosperity.


JOEL PARKER.