Year: 1863

Jersey, took place at Trenton on the Doth inst,
and was signalized by one of the grandest dis
plays that ever occurred in that State. About
III A. Nj. the procession, consisting of twelve
companies of infantry, two squadrons of cavalry,
two companies of artillery, and an immense con-
course of citizens formed in line, and shortly af-
ter salute was fired, which was the signal for
the procession TO move toward the State House,
which was thronged in every department. The
Governor was received with the widest enthusi-
asm by the people. On entering the State House
he was conducted to the desk of the President OF
the Senate, where the oath OF Office was admin
istered to him and the seal of the State handed
over to him by Governor Olden. After some re
llgious services he was escorted to the south
part of the State House, where in the presence
OF dense mass of people, he delivered his in
augural address, the portion of which relating to
National affairs We suhjoin


Gentlemen of the Senate and General Assembly,


and felLop citizens:


The unity of our National Govern
ment has been threatened, and in its defense and
for its preservation We engaged in war of great
er magnitude than any history records. Our sons
and brothers are engaged in the conflict. Every
call of the General Government has been an
swered by New Jersey with volunteers. Her citi-
zens have exhibited undoubted loyalty. They
have suffered and sacrificed much The war,
which was promised and expected to be of but
short duration. still continues, apparently in
creasing in magnitude and intensity Under
these circumstances it is not only the privilege,
but the solemn duty of the citizen freely to con
slider the issues connected with the war and dis
cuss the policy which controls its prosecution.


STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND FEDERAL AUTHORITY


The General Government is sovereign to the
extent of the powers delegated, while the residue
OF sovereignty remains with the States and the
people thereof. The sovereignty of IA State is as
complete and real in its proper sphere, as ia the
sovereignty of the United States within its
sphere. In general language it may be said that
the United States supervises the external affairs
OF the people, in their relation to other nations
while to the respective States is committed local
self-government, having reference chiefly to the
domestic relations, and including the protection
OF the life, liberty and property of the citizen.
1t is the duty of the States, well as the duty
of the United States. to assert and maintain, in
legal and constitutional manner, their several
and appropriate sovereignty. 1t is essential to
free government, that the rights and powers flow
ing from National or State sovereignty should be
we'll defined and adhered to.


THE CONSTITUTION THE rkUE GUIDE.


In order to ascertain the dividing line between
the powers delegated and the powers reserved,
the Constitution of the United States must be
our guide In that cherished instrument. the
chart of liberties, the powers delegated to
the General Government are clearly stated In
case of doubt or controversy, as to the extent of
those powers, there is supreme legal tribunal to
which such questions must be referred for final
decision. 1t was not provided that the Constitu
ton should be the supreme law of the land only
in time of peace, and that in war there should be
power over aud above the Constitution, limited
only in extent by individual opinion and discre.
ton. The reserved rights of the States, aud the
rights OF the people were to be protected at all
times, and especially in times OF dscord and
angry strie-when passion often rules the hour,
and power Is prone 10 encroach on law.


SECESSION A POLITICAL HEREsY.


The doctrine of secession is political heresy,
at variance with the letter and spirit of the Con-
stitution. The nature of our National compact
negatives the idea that secession is reserved
right of the States. The very language and
terms of the Constitution negative the idea.


No CAUSE FOR REVOLUTION.


Upon examination of the ordinances and pro-
ceedings OF the various (seceSsion) conventions,
it will be found, by then own showing, that, al
though there had been great provocation, no
grievance existed sufficient to justify revolution
One of the chief complaints was that the then
recent election had resulted in the triumph of
sectional party, and that the incoming Admins
tration, judging from the antecedents of its mem
bers, would probably violate the constitutional
rights of the Southern people The President
although not receiving majority of the popular
vote, was nevertheless legally elected, and appre
hension of prospective unconstitutional action on
his part did not warrant the disruption of the Gov
ernment.


ILLEGAL ARRESTS.


The war now in progress was, with unanimity
declared by Congress to be waged on the part of
the United States, not for any purpose of con-
quest or subugaton overthrowng or interfering
with the rights or established institutions of the
States, but to defend and maintain the suprem
acy OF the Constitution and to maintain the Union
with the equality and rights of the several States
unimpaired. This was the only legitimate pur
pose for which the could be prosecuted, and
with this purpose in view, the people of the loyal
States responded to the call of the Government
In accepting the stern reality of war for the main
tenance OF the Constitution, they had right to-
expCc. that their own constitutional privileges
would be respected They did not expect that,
in order to suppress rebellion, the inaenable
liberties of loyal citizens must be sacrificed.
They did not expect that the Constitution of the
United States was so impotent that its supremacy
could only be maintained by a violation of its
provisions.


Citizens of this State have been seized without
due process law, without the opportunity of in
vestigation before a committing magistrate,
without being confronted 10y accuser or witnesses,
without being informed of the cause of detention,
and without indictment or trial have been forci.
bly, taken and confined as prisoners out of the
State of New Jersey Such action is a violation
of the rights of the individual 1t demands seri-
Gus consideration. 1t concerns every man in the
community 1t is the privilege well the
solemn duty of free people to inquire into any
claim of power which infringes upon the we'll
defined guards of personal liberty.


The Constitution OF the United States provides
that "no warrant shall issue except upon proba-
BILE cause, supported by oath or affirmation"
that "no person shall be deprived of his life. lib
erty or property, without due process of law,
and that "the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the
State and district where the crime shall have
been committed, and to be informed of the ma
ture and cause of the accusation, and to be con-
fronted by the witnesses against him."


PERSONAL LIBERTY AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT.


Personal liberty is one of the absolute rights
of men, Its protection is one of the primary OBJ
jects of government. Under our system courts
of law are established to try criminals of every
grade The Federal and State courts, having
their defined and proper jurisdiction. have con
tinualy been accessible The law points out
the mode of proceeding against the alleged of
tender, and whatever may be the nature of the
crime. the courts in New Jersey will fairly inves.
tgate the charge and punish the criminal, if e-
gally convicted. Ii any citizen of New Jersey
be guilty of the high crime of treason. let him be
punished; but his guilt should be established by
the same judicial means that the law awards :o
the meanest culprit