Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-08-29
WISC SIN Ell E r A L D

or unkind feelings against foreigners. / do
not wish 10 see them deprived of the smalles,
portion of their just rights and privileges. l
consider the naturalization laws 10 be about as
they should be, and tina, if they are wrong,
Congress is the only power that can, conslitu-
lionally, alter or amend them. When foreign.
ers come into our political household by the
right door, am not 10 favor of making any dis.
tinction in relation to them, except such as
would make towards all mankind tina, sort of
distinction tina. virtue and intelligence may de-
mand.
When the State government bill was before
the House of Representative last winter, Mr.
Pole of Iowa, offered an amendment to il. the
object of which was TO restrict the right Of
suffrage to citizens OF the United States. l,
with my colleagues from this County, voted
for the amendment. Ihad consulted with MIR.
Pole on the subject before the amendment was
offered, and we came to the conclusion that he
should offer il instead of myself, though, if re-
membered correctly, it was originally drawn
by me. / also voted against the passage of
the bill, principally on account of its proVis-
ions respecting the qualifications of voters, al
though the bill was 10 my mind, highly objec-
iionabe 10 other particulars. In view of what
has been my nniform course upon this subject,
both 10 public and private, ! am at loss to
conceive who could have been so lost to all
sense of truth and justice, as to have fabricated
SO false a statement as that which has been
pu. in circulation against me. am unwilling
10 believe that il was any one who possesses
the smallest claim to responsibility in any com.
mun,y. From the manner of putting forth
the report, and tho time selected for it, when
was absent from the county and not expected
to return in time to obviate its effects before
the election, it would be violence 10 reason
10 imagine any honorable object designed to be
effected by it.
From what have observed, for more than a
year past, have no doubt, that strong effort
will be made 10 the Convention, to incorporate
the alien suffrage principle into the Constitu-
ton. | believed this to be the ulterior object
of the friends of the present law. from the be.
ginning, though there were bu, few who would
avow it. They have since grown more conf
dent, and some of the candidates for delegate
to the Convention, in other parts of the Terri
tory, have already given pledges in favor of the
measure, and they confidently expect now, TO
establish their principles permanently by the
constitution. think then, that il is important,
that every man who seriously reflects upon The
consequences of such measure, ought to con-
slider we'll as to whom he will cast his vote at
the coming election.
| commenced writing this address week
since. but was prevented from completing it by
sudden attack of fever. and have not been
able to finish il before this time, and il may
now be too late to have any effect. ! do not
expect TO be able TO see the people generally
before the election, nor do | feel very much
disposed to make stump speeches upon an oc-
casion like the present. My name has been
placed before the public as candidate under
the circums,an already stated. did not
seek to have myself placed in this positions
had no desire of my own to become candi;
date. 1t is the right of the people to do just a.
they please in relation to the matter. and what
ever their decision may be. il will be cheerful
ly submitted to by me: trust however. that
the people of Grant will not give response to
falsehood and misrepresentation, directed a.
ganst one who has endeavored to serve them
faithfully, and. whatever may have been his
errors, has tried in all things to act consistent
y and for the best. Should | be chosen
among others TO represent you in the Conven-
ton. can only say, that this renewed conf
dence shall be met with renewed exertions on
my part. to fulfil all just expectations.
Respectfully. your fellow citizen.
THOS. p. BURNETT.
Gran. County, August 25th, 1916.