American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-26
TFor the American Republican,
THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.

For the American Republican.
THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
.NcsHs. Editors,-If the press of Maryland
correctly express the sentiments OF her citizens,
there is strong reason for believing that she now
stands upon the uery threshold OF Reform. BY
an examination of the public prints, we find
that many of them have, as it were, stereotyp-
ed ''Reform,n and now use it as fiontispiece,
thereby evincing deep and abiding determin-
alton on the part Of her patriotic citizens to eff
feet it if possible.
But question will here arise, TO what Crient
DO they propose carrying this reformation? 1t
it be simply to ''retreuchn some OF the uunc-
cessary expenses OF our own State, and strike
from existence a host Of the surplus Offices, now
operating as so many drains from the State
trcasury,-oppressing and paralyzjng the best
interests Of our honest and industrious citizens,
their praiseworthy object will not be obtained,
when they shall have accomplished all this
There is disease, at this time graphing
with the very utaIs Of our common country,
more insidiouS, more Certaim, and more Geodty III
its effects, than all the extravaganza and heavy
taxation, against which tho patriotism OF Ma
ryland is now arrayed! 1t is diseased action,
or an abuse ofthe Elective Franchise; that pow
er upon which wholly depends the safety, perma-
nency, and grandeur OF this country; and in
order to arrest which, there must be unanimlty
and concert of action on the part of all the
States. This action must have for its object a
change or reform in present Naturalization laws.
What is the Elective Franchise? 1t is that
power in Representative Republican form Of
Government, which clothes every individual
who exercises it with the awful responsibility
Of exercising it not for himself alone, for his
+ party, or favorite partzan, bat he is eXercs-
ing it for his country and for nnsorn Postertty!
If the exercise of this power be connected with
such an awful responsibility, does it not ire
sistiby argue the necessity Of its being exercis-
cd undorstandingly, and tG: the public good,
''pro bono pubtico?"
In order that it should be exercised under
standingly, it is necessary that the individual
who exercises it should have a correct and ex-
tcnsve knowledge Of the principles OF the Co
vernracut under which he Eves;-and, III order
that it should be exercised for the public good,
il is necessary that the individual who exercises
it should not allow his MUD to be poisoned by
the wilcs Of aspiring and seductive dc,nayogHos
''In5LLgence is tie life u GbeAH" our insti-
tulons are based upon the mtelifGnCc Of tho
people; Of the infinite Importance Of This fact
The public mind is 1p,8g more deeply Impressed
IN consequence Of winch our Literary ..s''':.
tons are iapdiy Increasing in number, and un-
achievements Of the huMan intellect, is now
introduced into near!v all Of them as 4 branch
Of their regular studies; t'i"rc"Y giyn% to the
youths Of the country, upon wnJA size, with
her civil and religious institutions, must soon
fall f.. protection, 4 knowledge Of the h'cra-
tura Of the present age and Of the science Of
political economy; thus enabling them 10 dis
clarre the duties of scholars and statesmen,
and throw around their country protecuon
resting upon Intelligence, with correct and en-
Jared views Of the "true principles Of this Co
vernmcnt."
But what can we possibly expect from all
this, when we see a councractng power, gro,o-
ing .egond olu rroloih Gad strengthening beyond
our strength A power which chokcs the growth
of morality, and poisons the fountain OF htera-
tire! a power fraught with danger to ont IN
stitutions and subvcTsve OF Cur liberty. Can
we expect the Elective FranCIsc to be pTcscrv-
ed iavoate, and our country to repose III safe
ty when we sec that she has been for years,
and is NOE the very depot Of paupers, inmates
of alms-houses, and criminals, for nearly all the
powers OF Europe?
We do not say, that all who Cmigrate to this
country are of this Glass; many OF them are cl-
tizens of whom this or any other country might
be proud but cots true, pity lis, It's t1te, that
the largest portion Of them, is OF the most OBJ
jeCtio able character.
And the question Of making some change IN
our present Naturalization Laws, is one upon
which there should be 40 difference OF opulOu;
that the prcscnt system OF importing the mast
abandoned Of mankind from other countries to
our own, and allowing chem to exercise the
most exalted privilege o! an American freeman,
the Elective Franchise, before many Of them
speak our language, or have acquitted the ilasi