The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-15

;dsraon but assure the Senate that could not
main silent without of self dsapprobahon which
II would be not little painful to experience Sir, the
opositOn contained in the amendment not only IN
nv Judgment. unreasonable in ITSELF butis cacuatedt to
be deeply mischevous several striking respects An
election Of United States senator, TO supply the
cy occasoned by the expiration OF Mr. Breese's term
has taken place the governor OF the sovereign State OF
Illinois has commissioned the present claimant, (Mr
SnIrLps;l his commission has been exhibited here ;
ii has commanded respect after the fullest con-
sideraon; and in obedience to advice of Distinguish
ed senators now in favor OF the amendment Of the
honorable senator from South Carolina mr. CAL
HoUN] and the original resolution of the committee
whom this subject has been referred, have decided
that the commission of the claimant constituted such
prina acie evidence of his right to seat here that
were bound TO admit him at least for the present He
has been regularly in senator for days past
he has voted with US, and performed all the functions OF
senator; and urged to recognise the election
and commission Of the claimant asuerly void 40 tnto
not vodabe only but void absolutely and completely to
certainly declaring that upon the evidence now before
u.s. (f upon the question without obtaining
further testimony the claimant was ineligible to seat
he yet remains ineligible But to declare not only that
he is Ineligible, and was SO on the fourth OF March
last, but that his election was nudity from the
beginning-that his commission was, In Its incep-
lion, void and OF no force and effect Whatsoever
is what not prepared either to assert or
sanction. Sir. it would be wronging, as | think, the
sovereign State of Illinois and her legislature thus to de
eide; it would be asserting that the good people of Hi
nos, among whom the claimant has long lived, and
at whose bidding he has discharged the duties of so many
important civil Offices, wholly undiscerning and
shamefully incapable OF self government 1t would be
stutfying ourselves also, who have as have al
ready shown distinctly BY admitting the hSa
though he subject to be turned out hereafter upon
conclusive evidence yet that for the present his
was inconoverble and undoubted 1t would be deeply
injurious to the claimant himself, since, after admitting
him as a senator, should decide that he had been
guilty OF something like imposition In thrusting himself
upon our notice. without the shadow OF right to our
ref TSs Amendment promised to be brough, forward
by the honorable senator from Wisconsin, which deals
alone, but most clearly and palpaby, with the ques-
ton of ineligibilny, am willing to sustain BY my
vote since the honorable claimant himself is no long.
er DESTROYS of postponing this investigation until the
first Monday in December next BY adopting this
amendment we should gain all the objects which are
really desirable and which honorable gentlemen propose
to attain by the amendment which am now resisting.
The heretofore occupied by the honorable claimant
would be declared vacant by reason of his present
lacompccney to occupy it. The way would be open
for a new election, or executive appointment OF
person to fill tue vacancy thus arising We
would pronounce the election and commission OF the
honorable claimant void and imperative hencefofpdrd,
in consequence OF his present negbl'ty. This IS sure
ly enough for all proper purposes-enoush for all pur-
poses yet suggested by honorable senators But this is
not enough for certain gentlemen here They must make
a uiciim they must do something to propate the ac'
cursed spirit Of native Americansm whose fell influence
has already deuged the streets OF OF our ropuous
cities with precious blood and carried the torch OF the
ncendary private mansions and the temples OF the
living God The noble. hearted claimant is native of a
foreign ms was Grades ana MS bsre
fOurished Grattan. a Cnrran, and an Emmett. lie
was born beyond the rolling ocean, and is only an
american because he is lover of liberty and of free in
sutions and came here to enjoy Them where only they
could be enjoyed in all their amplitude and perfection 1t
is desired, fear 10 fix brand upon his forehead be-
cause though born in distant land he has presumed to
aspire high station in republic where, for seventeen
years. he has performed all the duties OF patriot IN
peace. and in has fought with glory unsurpassed in
kotsI. axr,ho nxylll nuaa
to be prosecuted prescribed and degraded without
crime, and upon pretexts too fmsy and ridiculous to
Tine to- ., by
and commission of the honorable claimant db fntio
void! will not accuse honorable senators of enter;
tell them boldly and tell them confidently that when
the intelligent voters of the republic shall be called upon
to pronounce Judgment upon our present proceedings
thousands, yea hundreds of thousands. will be heard to
them of being actuaed in part at least by We
hement desire increase the relative strength OF the
wing party in this chamber For it s PLAN ma. II we
and declare his seat vacant from the present moment
it will be competent for the governor OF Illinois to
appoint some ohc, democrat. or the honorable claim
ant himself, (Which, presume, would in all proba-
by be the case,) to fill the vacancy thus arising But
if decide that the seat heretofore accorded to the hon.
constituonally occupied BY him, then, according to all
the presidents, shall have to decide against any ex
ecuive appointee who may come hither demanding
recognition to the honorable claimant, on
the ground that it possible for vacancy to arise in
office which, during an existing term has never been
supplied with incumbent After deciding the election
and commission TO be absolutely uoid Ia decision which
have shown not to be at all necessary to be made for
any fair practical puposes) how could agree to ad
nit senator here who would desire to occupy a
seat among for term OF six years from
the 4th OF March last, which seat would have
previously declared never to have been occupied
for single instant OF that term of six years
[ do not say that the adjudication which now
called upon to make would be absolutely binding upon
us, when claimant, under an executive ap-
pointment, should have arrived here; but l do insist
that at all acquainted with the constitution OF
that mysterious thing called the human heart-o which
pride of opinion is striking an atrbute-wouid
expect honorable senators here to reverse their de.
cision upon the point under review next December,
even though such reversal might increase the strength
of their political party in this body by vote
Now, when we recollsct that the Illinois lcgsla-
ture sits only biennialy, aud that its next session
is now some eighteen months distant, il will not appear
pressing the opinion that we are so warmly invoked to
express must almost unavodaby be to diminish the dem
ocratic strength here to the extent which have sfec
fed. | do not know how others may feel on the
subject but, for one, am resolved not unnecessarily to
do anything which might have a tendency to increase
the strength and consolidate the ascendency OF the party
in power Nor will do anything, here or elsewhere
to fan the smouderng embers OF native Americansm
renewed fury. Gentlemen who, few years ago, had
the moral courage Ito use the mildes term gravely
crcey ue the national councils, that no native o.
any foreign country arriving upon shores should bt
allowed to become naturalizei until some twenty years
should have elapsed after his coming among us, car
very consistently, think, vote for the amendment un
der considerations but with my views OF my duty a.
conscientious senator, the sacred obligations which
rest upon member of the democratic party vow
pnnlu at - Invsa ry