Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-09-23
REVIEW OF COLLINS SPEECH.
GConclufcd from our last.


within the next two years, enter the Union
as sovereign State; and although he ex-
pressed no views particularly as TO the expe-
dency of our becoming Stale, yet the
impression created by his remarks was, that
he was fiyorably disposed towards the for
nation of Il Stale government. Ii Mr.. Col
Inns is in favor of our becoming State, his
opinions must have undergone great change
since the last session Of the Legislature. A
bill was introduced into the Council at the
last session by member from this county,
pioviding for taking an expression of the
electors at every general election on The
question Of forming Stale government in
Wisconsin. This bill passed the Council !;
but in the House it was opposed by Mr..
Collins and others, who had on all occasions
manifested decided hostility to State
government in Wisconsin-,he House re.
fused to PISS the bill, Mr. Collins voting
with the majority Of that body against it
Had this bill passed, we should have had a
vote on the State government question this
'all-t would no, have cost the Territory "a
dollar TO have had an expression at the ballot
box. The only objection that could be urged
by IFS opponents. appeared 10 be, hat they
were afraid the people would determine TO
become State, if they wore authorized to
vote.
NJ. Collins probably was well aware that,
while here, he was in portion of the Terri.
tory where the people were mostly in favor
a State government, hence he took occasion
TO say that, if elected, he should urge upon
Congress to grant an appropriation to defray
the expenses of holding Convention TO
form State Constitution; stating that Com
gress had granted an appropriation for ST.
milar purpt Sc, TO enable the people of Iowa
TO hold convention Mr. Collins, we
think, is mistaken in saying that Congress
granted an appropriation TO Iowa for any
such object. Congress not only refused to
giant the people of Iowa an appropriation 10
hold convention, but when the legislature
OF that Territory, for the purpose Of provi-
ding means 10 pay the expenses of con
venion, passed an act declaring that on the
then following year no session of the legs-
laure should be held, and that Congress
should be asked TO apply the next annual
appropriation 10 deiray the expenses of a
convention, in lieu of a legislative session:
Congress refused 10 sanction the proceeding
or grant the request. Such is our recoliec-
lion of the matter
Mr.. Collins spoke of our country, as being
an as ylum for foreigners, and made some
remarks quite favorable to that class of our
population. Some of his hearers. we are
told, understood him TO be quite liberal. and
far from entertaining any sentiments pecu-
liar to the native American party. Now it
will not be denied that Mr. Collins, after
obtaining a nomination to the Legislature
last fall, pledged himself, previous to the
election, 10 the voters Of Iowa county, that,
if elected, he would 90 for a repeal of the
law allowing foreigners, with certain quail
government. Accordingly, Mr.. Collins last
winter did labor zealously 10 procure re-
peal of The law; every proposition to modify
the law by extending the time of residence
was promptly opposed by him; he would
consent 10 nothing but the entire and uncon-
diliona repeal of the law, thus denying a
right which is guaranteed to the inhabitants
by the Ordinance Of l7S7-an Ordinance
which never has beer repealed. and which
never can be repealed by Congress, except
by the consent of the people withiu the IL
mits of the territory prescribed by tie Ordi-
nance itself. If Mr.. Collins maintains the
same sentiments which he expressed one
year ago in Iowa county in public meetings,
he will use his influence TO procure repeal
of our naturalization laws, according to the
narrow and proscriptive policy Of the Native
American p1r:y;-if Mr.. Collins has re-
nounced his nativeism, he must have done
SO within the past few months.
Before Mr. Collins concluded his remarks,
he invited the electors TO canvass his public
acts he, however, did not invite nvesiea-
ton as TO his moral acts, and course of life
as a member of the community. We are
told that he has, on one or two occasions
during the present political campaign, at
tempted to explain away some flbe charges
which have been made against his moral
character; at any rate, some of the wing
presses have attempted 10 make an apology
for him. We know there are those who
affect 10 believe, that the people have no
right 10 NEEDLE with the private character
of a candidate for Office; but we believe that
great majority of all political parties will
bear us out in SAYING, that the people have
right to scrutinize and 10 become fully &C.
quainted with mans private character, who
expects their suffrages.fA man who is moral