The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-13
rnrpoRTANT DERATE.

euublsh from the National Intelligeneer, the
debate at large ON the Presumption Bill, now
before the Senate, but such is the Importance Of
the monstrous doctrine started by Mr. Wright,
and promptly met and denounced by Mr.. Clay,
that we extract so much as relates to the pre-
position to open the doors and to place unna-
turalized foreigners on the same footing as A
merican citizens proposition fraught with
such important consequences, and much at
war with every American feeling, that we arc
surprised that an American Senator can be
found to advocate it. 1t foreshadows what is to
come, and shows the,slements of which MIR. Van
Buren's new party is to be organised. We ask
the American people to read;
Mr.. CLAY, of kentucky, now rose and address
sed the Senate nearly as follows:
The amendment now offered by my friend
from Vermont, by drawing line between the
legislation heretofore pursued with relation to
pre-emptions and the new, comprehensive, and
interminable legislation proposed by the present
bill, opens the whole question for discussion; and
l avail myself of the opportunity thus afforded,
to present to the Senate some of the general
views have taken of tins subject, and invite,
In the outset, the serious, and, | would say, the
solemn attention of the Senate to the bill before
it. Before, however, | proceed to examine its
provisions, allow me, in passing, to notice a
most novel and surprising doctrine advanced
Yesterday by the Senator from New York, (AIr.
Wright;) not that propose to discuss, at this
tune, the position he assumed, but that may
here enter my public protest 1t, lest should re-
main silent, it might be thought by any that l
WELD my assent to it. The Senator's position IS,
that it is competent to State, under the Con-
stitution, to admit an unnaturalized foreigner to
vote in our elections. wage no war against To-
reigners | respect them when their character
entities them to respect. well know especially
the value of the German yeomanry; better set
of husbandmen does not exist on the face of the
earth; honest, industrious, economical, admira-
bic Judges of the soil, the best judges of land in
all the country, devotedly attached to their ia
milies-that is the character of our German po-
pulation as 1 have become acquainted with it in
NV own immediate neighboroood. / will not
now stop to speak of the character Of the gal
liant Irish, whose virtues, and, will add, whose
defects of character (the virtues far overbalan-
cling the defects) are well known throughout
the world.
opinion expressed by theshonorable Senator from
New York is one of immense practical import
ancs; for, if | am not greatly misnformcd, Pre-
sident Van Buren, owes the vote of one State of
this confederacy, mean the State of Illinois, to
the fact of unnaturalized foreigners voting in
our late election, and casting their votes for him.
will not, however, enter on that subject, and
have adverted to it now, merely that no conclu-
SION may be drawn from my silence that l APP
prove or tolerate the doctrine advanced by the
SeHator from New York. here publicly ex
press an opinion decidedly opposite. think that
the exercise Of the elective franchise always i'm
plies citizenship, though citizenship does not i'm
ply the right to the exercise OF the elective fran
chise l hold that voter, whose voice may af-
feet or change the entire policy of the country,
NAV alter or subvert the Constitution and laws
of the country Is a component part of the politi-
cal power of the country. | hold that the pow
er over the subject of naturalization has been
confded by the Constitution exclusively to the
General Government, and that no State can
constitutionally exercise that power; and that,
therefore, no State can confer those privileges
and lmmunities, or grant those rights which pro-
coed from natura ization. This is my opinion,
and l advance it here merely as a cotLnter-pro-
let to that expressed by the Senator from New
York. When foreigner has once been natu-
ralized, / regard him as brother, as member
of our political community, and as entitled, with
some few constitutional exceptions, to all tho
rights of native born citizens, and to the protec-
tion and defence of the Government at home and
abroad; but until he has renounced his ale
e-iance to his foreign Sovereign, and sworn fdel-
itv To our country, / cannot and will not-and
vas utterly amazed to hear the gentleman from
New York express different opinion-lool;
upon him as incorporated in our society, and au-
thorized, bv the exercise of the elective fran
cbise. to exert an influence, in unsettling OF
cbane1ng our entire political policy, whilst, as
subject Of foreign Power, LIE lies under all his
original and native obligations. If the contrary
doctrine be admitted to be sound one, then, a:
hs 9 been shown by calculation which | have
seen. the Emperor of Russia, by proper distri
button of II 900 of his serfs among the States o
tbis Union Gf the States would have permitted
them TO vote) might have changed the glorious
| ,be triumphant result of the vote of November
| Iast and have continued those in power who, by
| tbe full. decided, and manly expression Of thu
/ .-,hl;c will. have been declared unworthy to b.
| the depositaries of it any longer.
Ma. WRIGHT, of New York, said that he ros
| .har TO correct an error than with any view
IN nursue the present debate. He had yesterda
;nduIged in few remarks with one single pur
nose and object, which was to show that no Law
That Congress could pass, could influence twithi
any State, the power OF the holder oil y state
n,tent for land as to the security or perpetuatio
rf tbis title. because that was matter who'll
and exclusively within the control OF the State
| .hat any alien could, indeed, take land It'll
under our patent, but that it depended entirely o.
fine State authority whether he could hold o
transmit that title. did then, by way OF illus
| ration. refer to remark which had fallen fron
the Senator from heHIuchy NtI' ~ ~ oh ioi
| nor dav as to the right of voting That inciden
taI remark of mine, h. has fairly and properly rc
p oil to to-day. 1t is simply with view to an
-ver the Senator on that single point, and not t
discuss the present bin, that now address tn
senate. There was another point the honorable
Senator made, which do not think nix It
me to reply to. He said that he had been inform
nd that the vote given by of the States in III,
late presidential election had been controlled BY
t5s the votes Of individuals not naturalized 1t MAJ
be 60 Having myself no knowledge of the fact
1 refer the gentleman on that subject to the Sen
ators who represent that State; and so as to the
,ressnt bill and its practical operation, an
Content to refer that also to the Senators coming
from the States more Immediately interested.
nI Bnt Z, the question, though incidental to the
present discussion, is one OF vast moment-l
mean the question to the qualification OF voter;
| in the States, and where rests the power 70 de
= tLos. qualifications shall bel can.