New Jersey as Southern Sympathizers
During the Civil War in the United States, New Jersey played different roles, some for the Union and some against the Union. The undecided position that New Jersey took in the Civil War led to its consideration as a Southern States' sympathizer. For instance, while the Union was fighting for the end of slavery, New Jersey had a different opinion regarding abolishing slavery. Since slavery was abolished in the North, New Jersey did not end the practice until later, making the other Northern States consider New Jersey a Southern sympathizer. Secondly, the politics in New Jersey was a contributing factor to the State being labeled as a Southern sympathizer. In the State, there was increased divisive politics between the republicans vying to be elected governor. The politically-diverse State had no sound decision regarding the Republicans and the Democrats, which led to the replacement of Abraham Lincoln with Democrat Stephen Douglas before the Civil War, making it a divided state. 1 Moreover, some politicians also came out publicly to support the South, citing patriotism.
Fair or Unfair Judgment?
The contemplation of New Jersey as a Southern sympathizer was fair to some extent. Several reasons can be associated with why the other Northern States were justified in labeling New Jersey as sympathizers. For instance, the public statements of politicians such as Rodman Price, who rallied support for the South, confirmed the sympathy New Jersey had towards the Southerners. Such political activities prompted the North to consider New Jersey as not committed to the Civil War course. Furthermore, to some extent, it is fair because New Jersey had failed to abolish slavery like the other Northern States before the war. Since slavery sparked the Civil War, it was hypocritical for New Jersey to practice slavery still. Therefore, the judgment of New Jersey as sympathizers was fair considering the State’s actions before and during the war.
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New Jersey and Abraham Lincoln
All the Northern Free States considered Abraham Lincoln their favorite candidate except for New Jersey, which was the only Free State that did not vote for Abraham Lincoln in the two elections. New Jersey failed to vote for Abraham due to the State's economic and social ties with the Southern States. 2 Before the American Civil War, New Jersey had increased trade activities with the South, making the backbone of the State's economy. The campaign towards abolishing slavery in the South threatened New Jersey's economic power due to its connection with the South. For this reason, the State preferred other candidates to Abraham Lincoln since he was spearheading the slavery abolishment campaign. New Jersey voted for George McClellan, a New Jersey native, over Lincoln.
Additionally, the issues of slavery made New Jersey fail to cast votes for Abraham Lincoln. Even though the Northern States had abolished slavery way back, New Jersey came to end slavery in 1830. People from New Jersey supported the South when it came to issues of State's rights and slavery. The South depended on slavery for its economic and political triumph. Thus, abolishing their only source of labor would lead to stagnant work in the plantations, leading to the South's fall. 3 Lincoln's motive to end slavery was a significant trigger to the South and sympathizers from New Jersey. Abraham Lincoln lost the election's popular vote due to the failure of New Jersey to cast votes for him. In this sense, the two significant reasons New Jerseyans failed to vote for Lincoln include the issue of states' rights and slavery and New Jersey's social and economic ties to the South.
Bibliographies
Amar, Akhil Reed. "The Inaugural Abraham Lincoln Lecture on Constitutional Law: Electoral College Reform, Lincoln-Style." Nw. UL Rev. 112 (2017): 63.
Gigantino II, James J. The Ragged Road to Abolition: Slavery and Freedom in New Jersey, 1775-1865 . University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014.
1 . Akhil Reed, Amar. "The Inaugural Abraham Lincoln Lecture on Constitutional Law: Electoral College Reform, Lincoln-Style." Nw. UL Rev. 112 (2017): 63
2 . James, Gigantino II J. The Ragged Road to Abolition: Slavery and Freedom in New Jersey, 1775-1865 . University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014.
3 . Ibid
