The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-02

Il
county, that the convention proceed, at this time,
20 me second reading and consideration OF Tesou-
uon no. ~, an the words following, viz:
htsossea That committee be appointed TO in
quife INTO the oxpedieney Of 80 amending the con-
suluuon OF Pennsylvania, TO prohibit The future
emigration into this State Of free persons ofcolor
RES 49, ~''N' ~ ~ N
Mr. Thomas, Of Chester county, moved TO
sS,hu ,he same, by inserting between the words
~ anu 'ffee' IN the third line. the word foreign
MIR. Woodward moved IN amend the amend
men' by adding thereto the words and that the said
ooiuee DE also instructed 10 INQUIRE into the pro-
pfe'y Of 50 amending the constitution az TO preyent
any foreigners who may arrive in this State after
lhe Ilh OF July, ls4l, from acquiring the right 70
vote or hold ONCE IA this Commonwealth -
II VIII be seen at glance That the original mo.
!ion, as amended by Mr., Thomas, was TO inquire
INTO the expedency Of preventing the emigration of
foreigners altogether, and that Judge Woodward
amendment was only a modification, directing the
committee 70 Inquire INTO the expediency of with
holding the elective franchise from them This
amendment was proposed, not because its author
was IN avor Of its provisions but for the purpose Of
giving The debate different direciion--a clrcum-
stance which of,en takes place in legislative bodies
That Judge Woodward did not wish 10 have for
egners deprived Of The elective franchise but Offer
60 ms amenomen, merely TO "head off, the propo-
siuon to exclude them entirely from our soil, is
proved by the fact that when Mr.. Thomas with
drew his amendment, Mr. Woodward,s was also
promptly Withdrawn, aud never again introduced
IL Is true that the reporter Of the convention who
Is said, never did justice to the democratic mem
oeTs, when misrepresentation would suit his pur-
IIsel puts native American sentiments in a speech
which he reports as Judge Woodward, but which
the latter promptly disclaimed in the face both OF the
reporter ana eonyentier. The circumstance were
as follows:
Amer the removal of the convention to PhiadeI-
M luyaRI i.
were arrayed in opposition the former against, and
me latter "a Juror, Of extending the right of suffrage
to the negro population of the State. Judge Wood
ward had commenced with well-deserved severity
upon certain expressions OF O'Connell Garrison
add other leading sbolilionist slsnderers of Wash
ngton, the constitution, and character OF our coun-
ny, and urged that the opinions Of such men should
have no weight with the American people Mr.
Earle IN rep'y, contended that though these men
night have erred point, their authority should
rot be condemned on all; and in illustration remark
Would 1t be right in me, who listened with
pleasure, on many occasions, TO the most eloquent
.niofcsmen' OF sound principles by the gentleman
rom Luzerne, TO condemn all those principles be-
,ause he might err on one poinll Ought / 10 con-
Tenn everything coming from him il he would offer
resolution TO exclude, by the constitution the par-
icPstlon IN voting and In holding Office of all per-
ons born IN foreign landsl
''Mr. Woodward explained that he did not wish
o he siandered by any reporter, misreprcsented
" any member on this floor; and he would not al
Nv gentlemen.to mpute measures and sentiments
0 him which did not belong TO him. de said he
NEVER DID propose TO exclude the foreigners
ow IN the country from political privileges, nor
hose who should thereafter come TO this country
lie presumed the gentlemen alluded to an amend
tent offered by him in convention at Harrisburg.
'hieh proposed nothing more than an inquiry into
he expedency OF preventing foreigners who should
RIVE IN The country after lS4l from voting and
oldng Office. That was an amendment to propo-
'tion by the gentleman from Chester, (Mr Thorn.
81 suggesting an inquiry into the expediency of
xciuding foreigners altogether from our soil; and
,e amount of IL was to give the proposed inqurya
'ferent direction from that proposed by the gentle.
IAN from Chester. The proposition Of the gentle
ian from Chester being Withdrawn, Mr. wood
ard explained that he Withdrew his amendment
"Mr. Earle proceeded. He had applied the ar
ument ad ho,ai,sni. lie had only said that when
re gentleman from Luzerne shall inirodusa a .--.-
IL should be recollected that this prompt denial
as made only two months afterwards, when the
rcumstances must have been fresh in the minds of
. ann yet neither Mr. Earle, anxious rs he was to
K some charge upon his opponent, nor any other
ember OF the convention, dared OPENLY 10 re-
'w the accusation. II was not until iud .e Wood
ard became the democratic nominee for the pni-
d Senate, that the debates Of the convention were
sorted to by his enemies, in order to frame charge
hlch they themselves well knew TO be utterly
oundiess. r..