The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-02-04


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SPEECH OF Mr.. GRAHAM Of y. G..
"a he Pre- Enptioa Bill.
Mr. Graham, Of North Carollna, rose
aud said that he had originally entertained
no design TO participate in this discussion.
Those whom he represented $50 far as he
had asceralned their wishes were gener.
ally opposed to the policy Of emptions,
aud he himself, concurTing IN that opinion,
had intended to content himself with a 81
lent vote, bat for certain doctrines which
had been advanced aud facts stated 10 the
progress OF tho debate. The bill would
have been far less Objectionable 10 him had
the amendment prevailed which was offered
by the Senator from Kentucky, MIR. Crit
ienden,) KNITTING the bouniles which II pro
posed to confer 10 American citizens, and
excluding Dnna,urallzet foreigners, But,
IL resisting th.s amendment, the distinguish.
Ell Senator from New York (Mr. Wight
had couended that any one Of the States
had the night 10 confer the elective fran
caise on foreigners without nalural,z tor,
according 10 The laws oil the United States,
and thus enable them to vote in elections
UGder this Government and the honorable
Senator from Illinois, Mr.. \ Dung who
has Just taken his scat, had stated that this
doctripe was actually carried out IN prac
tee IN his State, Cor tina, there aliens had
yoled after q residence Of six months. Il
was upon this subject Mr.. c. had risen to
say a few worLs. lie could not but regard
such doctrine az directly in tie teeth Of
The Constitution ofthe United States. Tie
honorable Senator from New York Mr..
Wright understands ibis power TO belong
TO State BY reason OF the general PROV.
sion 10 the Constitution that members of
the House Of Representatives and the Pre-.
sldent are directed 10 be chosen by tie PEG.
PIE Of the several States, and tina, +" the
eiactors in each State shall have the quail
.lca.lons requisite for electors Of the most
numerous branch Of the State Legislature.
II was unnecessary for Mr.. q. to remind
cue who showed himself SO familiar with
sach SUBJECTS, u the ordinary rule Of inter
pretailon, that all parts Of The instrument
aust be looked 10 in giving il a constTuc.
ton, and that general words were often
aEes controlled BY particular provisions.
The section oftAe Conslituilonimm
preceding that referred 10 by the Sen4'or
from New ork vas equally general IN lis
Ierms AiiegislalIye power herein graut.
cd shall be vested IN a Congress 81 the u
ted States, which shall consist Of Se..s:s
and House Of Representatives" live look
20 further than this clause, the S;enate aaG
House Of Representatives, can make laws
without hlndEsnce or concurrence from any
other department Of the Government. The
words are as comprehensive as any that our
language can oilurI. But in the subsequent
parts OF the Constitution We learn that 10 act
Il Congress shall become a law unless il
receive the appreciation Of the President,
except 10 cases which need not now be men.
toned. Finding this first and broadest de.
claratlon Of the Constitution qualified and
restrained by subsequent provisions, our
surprise viii be the less il we discover that
that relied on for The support Of the power
10 question IS suGIrc. TO like qualification.
Let Us, ~ passing, inquire who are the
people of the several States by whom Re.
representatives., DC. are to be chosen Who
are the people of Kentucky, among whom
YOU, STR, reside Who are the people Of
New York Does any one understand
them 10 include unnaturallzed aliens, owing
allegiance TO foreign Governments, and
bo1nd 10 cleaee to them IN the event Of
controversy with our own But supp 1se
that by tue generality Of these words they
were embraced. The Constitution else
where, in express terms, gives 10 Congress
the power 70 establish uniform rule oil
naturalization" and Congress has exercis
ed that power BY prescribing the rule
From lis very nature, il cannot be concur
renlIy exercised by the General Govern
meni and The States. There cannot, 10 The
nature Of things be uniform rule through
out The United States, and yet different rules
~ dldsren, States. But it IS asked By the
Senator from New York, (Nr. Wright
shall Congress prescribe the qualifications
Of voters 10 the States BY no means
Congress cannot prescribe any qualifications
for electors 10 the States who are native
born or naiuralized citizens and even in the
case Of a foreigner they cannot prescribe 10
hin qualities as an eiector, properly SO cal!
cd, but they prescribe the means by which o
disqualification under which he labors may
be removed and such disqualification can
bs removed by no other authority. This
construction Of the Constitution conflicts
S''h no just rights Of the States on the
contrary, the rights Of all the others are
grossly violated by any one Of Ihem under.
taking to naturaIize aliens 10 any other