Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-11-22

sauited by attacks OF unexpected severity,
feel called upon to report myself, and TO
aver my readiness, and determination to
do with alacrity and zeal, whatever lies in
my power to maintain Just and righteous
cause.
Gentlemen, it may be, as has been said,
that the National Elections wear an unfa-
vorabe aspect. 1t may be that the Wings
have not succeeded in electing their Pres
ident. But, yet, Massachusetts is not a
lone. Three of her New England sisters
are with her, Vermont, Connecticut and
Rhode Island as also Ohio, Maryland,
New Jersey, Delaware, and probably In
diana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Caro-
lima, and Louisiana. But what if she
should stand alone in her devotion to the
Wing cause What if she should stand
pre-eminent among the Wing States? 1t
would be a noble distinction. Let her win
it and wear it The honor well becomes
her ancient brows.
Mr.. Webster said that it was too late
to go through with the topics that have en-
crossed the public mind for several months
past. The suffrages of many of the States
had already been cast for President, and
our own State was about to declare her.
self at the polls. He urged the great i'm
portance of full vote at the coming cleo
ton, even were nothing but the admins
tration of Massachusetts at issue. He
spoke of the regulating influence of the
State Government over social life, and of
!. its happy effects, if wise and parental. If
the National policy is likely to be adverse
to what we consider the true interests of
the country, so much the more are we
bound to secure, as far as in us lies, the
safety of our Commonwealth, and add its
: influence and voice to the protection of
our free institutions.
In his opinion, no political party ques-
ton was more important and at the same
time more easy Of decision, than those of
i Texas and the Tariff; and it was deeply
Notifying to him, as an American, to re-
4 fleet upon the views avowed by so many
of our citizens; to find pauper labor rec
commended by any portion of our citizens
s at the North. But the course taken by
: them with regard to the Annexation of
h Texas, was still more notifying. When
S that project was first proposed, all parties
a at the North rejected it, disclaimed it,
e would have nothing to do with it. And
f vet we find in few short months, whole
o party, even in Massachusetts,, wheeling de-
liberately around and advocating and sup
: porting that very project, which they have
e declared ruinous to the country and fatal
! to the Constitution.
I Mr.. Webster remarked that, if the cleo
tons had resulted unfavorably, it was, per-
haps, useless at that time to investigate
the causes Of disappointment. 1t might
h not even be proper to state all the causes
then. But there was one cause, so con-
! spicuous, so glaring, which stood out in
:, such bold relief, that it was impossible to
~ shut our eyes to it, or not to deplore its
- consequences. The results in several of
y the States cannot fail to impress upon ev-
- cry thinking and reasonable man the deep
conviction of the absolute necessity of a
l. thorough reform of the NATURALIZATION
J. LAW. Tremendous and continued cheer
=. ing.] Mr.. Webster went on to say, that
d he believed upon his conscience, that the
v preservation of the Constitution impera-
'e lively demanded this and that all parties
,e however they might differ upon secondary
ID matters, should unite for the preservation
of| Of what was of far higher and greater ne
J. cessity than any mere party considera-
of tons.
Mt We are of course, willing and DESTROYS
ID that America should offer an inviting asy-
lum to the oppressed Of all the nations of
the earth. We are willing and DESTROYS
D. that all on the Globe, who are honest and
re industrious, and who would come to us for
K the purpose of lettering their condition
Is and enjoying the blessings of a free and
ID popular Government, should be made well
IN come. But, it is not unreasonable that
III these foreigners, before they take part in
e. regulating Government, of which all OF
its people are the sovereigns, should have
L, resided here long enough to have some ac-
n quaintance with our laws, our social and
" civil institutions that they should have
ID become Americans in principle, in interest
70 and in feeling as well as in the fact of hav-
~ ing placed their domicils amongst us. As
". TO foreigners already naturalized, their
rights are secured, and let them enjoy
ri them. But let us have such provision
= made that the sovereign power shall not
. be swayed or shared by those who are I'M
IN used to liberty, do not understand it, and
N have never learned the duties Of response.
r. BILE freemen.
Mr.. w. urged the necessity of an a.
mendment of the naturalization law, in Or
der to prevent the gross frauds which have
he occurred at elections. 1t was notorious
b. that immense numbers Of naturalization
ur papers are obtained by perjury, and many
is, foreigners have been made citizens and vo-
IS, ters, by the same set of papers. Masters
er of vessels, who have brought over foreign
he paupers TO this country, in thirty days af-
he ter their arrival, have seen the same per-