The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-07-28

| more dangerous and unjust ground is assumed.
| Its practical workings are to be retrospective
1T proposes to take from citizens The civil rights
which they have already acquired under the
constitution, by organizing power 10 subvert
that instrument. 1t is an attempt to settle a
policy not recognized in any law of this coun-
try, that hereafter no man born out ofthe coun-
| try shall hold civil office under the govern
nent-no matter that he has come here upon
the faith of the laws of the land-no matter
how good bis character; how effective bis abli-
ties; how thorough bis education: or how num-
| erous his virtues--no matter how devoted his
attachments to the constitution; nor how ortho-
dox his religion-no matter though he has suf-
frred and bled for his adopted country. With
such we are to have no political communion
we must not listen to their advice nor employ
them in the public service. The standard of
honesty and capacity is 10 be overlooked--and
the circumstance Of birth, and birth alone must
decide who shall fill the offices of the govern
ment.
Here is a dsfranchisement the most obnoxi-
Gus character. The alien and sedition laws
were passed under the administration of the ell
der Adams in the height Of the insolence ofied-
eral domination. But they were laws, while
btIt u d SiHlthl OItty NilLOut lIt sdIItiCiI Oi
law, secret in its operations, and tyrannica, un-
just and cruel in its results. II is in effect, an
administration of the alien law OF black cockade
federalism, without the courage to place it on
the statute book. It's spirit, essence and design
are the same
The Constitution of the United States autho-
rises Congress to pass uniform laws of naturali-
zation. 1t also provides that Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of re-
ligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof:
and that no religious fest shall ever be required
as qualification for'any Office or public trust
under the United States.
The constitution of Pennsylvania is even
more emphatic. 1t declares that all mee have
a natural and indtfeasbe right to worship Al
mighty God according to the dictates of their
own consciencps-that 10 man can, of right, be
con14eleG to attend, erect, or support any place
Of worship, or 10 maintain any ministry, against
his consent-that no human authority can, in
any case whatever, control or interfere with the
rights of cousclence-that no preference shall
ever be given by law, to any religious establish
ments or modes of worship-and that no person
who Acknowledges the being Of God and a
future state Of rewards and punishments, shall,
on account Of his religious sentiments, be dis
qualified to hold any Office or place of trust or
profit under this Commonwealth.
Such tbs fabric Of government: erected by
the patriots ofthe revolution, who understood
what liberty, true liberty, meant, and who pc
rillcd ''thpir lives. their fortunes, and their sa
cred honor,'' in its maintenance. Are we TO
do away with this noble feature of our govern
men; by indirecton, and establish test not
known to our constitution and laws, bat antag-
onlstical to both, and which can only lead to
political and religious intolerance
But treating the question as one merely of
policy, without regard to constitutional right,
has not this liberal feature OF our government
thus early commenced and sanctioned by time,
been attended with the happest results in the
development Of the resources and strengthening
the arm ofthe nation? Why should this liber
al policy be now rudely and harshly broken up
and abandoned ?-or why should we be less
generous now when liberal and progressive ideas
in all other respects are warmly cherished as
peculiarly American? We are aware that we
may be pointed to the vices and eXcesses of an
ignorant and destitute population, who come
into our country unprepared IN some respects
for the proper enjoyment OF It's institutions. We
are free to admit that individuals abuse the
blessings of our government, but this is true Of
| all-natve as we'll as ioregn-and surely is 10
reason for changing the policy of the govern
ment, for imposing new conditions upon adopt
ed citizens, or for Furnishing the just equally
with the unjust.
Indeed it is difficult, when examining this
subject to say who are the most benefited by an
influx of foreign population. Our own history
would show that much of our prosperity aud
| rapid advance 10 national greatness, has been
accelerated by the talents, energy and proGnc-
tive industry of those Of foreign birth. The
debt Of gratitde is at least not all on their side.
Have we forgotten the distinguished aid OF
adopted citizens and foreigners, in our reyolu-
| tonary struggle Have we forgotten the chlv-
alrous services of La Fayette, Montgomery,
! DeKalb, Kosciusco and others like them but of
| less renown, who perilled life and property in
our behalf, and in behalf of the cause OF liberty
/ and sound republican ideas 1? Did they not risk
their lives and shed their blood for that cause
and for this people Have not the labors and
the tolls of the adopted citizens, who have
poured into this country in steady and com
slant stream, made much of our previously un-
! cultivated lands bloom and blossom as the rose
| Have they not feled the forest, Subdued the
rude and unbroken soil, constructed our rail-
| roads and canals, and largely extended our IN
| tcrnal commerCp and the bounds OF culture and
civilization Are there not to be found among
them as we'll as among native born citizens,
men of exalted WORTH brilliant talents, tow
! eripr genius who have given us their valuable
services, in all the useful and ennobing pur-
suits and professions OF life, and from among
whom the ranks of our artists. statesmen and or
| ators have been adorned. Is it wise, that all
/ these and such as these, shall be dlsfranchised,
prescribed on account ofthelr foreign birth, ana