Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-13
WASHINGTON, d. G..
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1854.
AN ASTOUNDING DEVELOPMENT The CLAYTON
AMENDMENT NOT OMITTED FOREIGNERS
EXCLUDED, NOT ONLY FROM SUFFRAGE BUT
sETTLEMENT-A TEST OATH PRESCBIBED.

We have been for several days apprised OF
an astounding imposition practiced upon the
country in the passage Of the Nebraska ansas
BiIl-the detection of which, we learn, is due
to the vigilance of Col. Benton. Will the Peo-
pie of the United States believe that the Clay
ton Amendment, instead of having been omit
ted in the Nebraska Kansas Bill, is at this mo-
mcnt part and parcel of it?
When Mr. RICHARDSON moved the Senate
Bill as substitute for the Bill of the House, he
stated, distinctly and unqualifiedly, that the
Clayton Amendment, excluding foreigners from
the right of suffrage in the Territories, aoas
omitted. This was reiterated by him through
out all the proceedings; every speaker proceed
ed on the assumption that the statement was
correct; only with this condition could tho Bill
have passed the House. But we know how it
was passcd-po time given for examination or
amendment; all discussion al amendment
choked of in Committee of the Whole, before
the first section had been disposed of; the
whole bill forced through under whip and spur,
by reckless majority overriding the rules of
the House, and their own Speaker.
And now, what do we find2 This very Clay
ton amendment, substantially retained Here
it is in black and white, constituting the 22d
section Of the Bill
"Src %. And be IL further enacted, That
every free white male inhabtant above the
age of twenty-onc years, who shall be an act
ual resident OF said Territory, and shall pos
SEES the qualifications hereinafter prescribed
shall be entitled TO VOTE AT THE FIRST
ELECTION, and shall be eligible to any Office
within the said Territory; but the qualifca-
tions Of voters, and of holding ofice, at all
subse qucnt elections, shall be such as shall be
prescribed by the Legislative Assembly: Pro
vided, That the right Ct suffrage and of holding
Office shall be exercised ONLY BY CITIZENS
OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THOSE
WHO SHALL HAVE DECLARED ON
OATH THEIR INTENTION TO BECOME
SUCH, AND SHALL HAVE TAKEN AN
OATH TO SUPPORT THE CONSTGTU-
TION OF THE UNITED STATES AND
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT: And
provided further, That no officer, soldier, sea
man, or marine, or any other person in the
army or navy &c the United States, or attached
to troops in the service Of the United States,
shall be allowed to vote or hold ,fhse in said
Territory by reason Of being on service there
in.v
Mnd-only at tho first election, will all
residents be permitted to vot,. After that, the
qualification of electors shall be prescribed by
the Legislative Assembly, subject, however, to
this rcstriction--that only citizens and those
who shall haze gone through me regular prelimi-
nary process Of naturalization, shall be entitled
to vote or hold Office; and also to this most extra
ordinary restriction, that all such native, natu-
ralized, and incboatc citizens, before they can
vote OF hold Office must not only vote to sup
port the Constitution Of the United States, but
athe provisions Of this act.'
The complicated wickedness Of this section
is astounding.
First
AS TO THE DECLARATION OF INTENTION.
The New York Post says:
" The declaration Of intention referred to, IL
that mentioned in the naturalization acts and
tho oath to support the Constitution is that
taken at tho end Of five years residence after
q declaration of intention. None but citizens
those who are born in the country, or, by FIVE
years naturalization, have become citizens
swear to the Constitution. The Judges who
will be appointed will unqucstionabIy 30 hold,
and exclude all others from the polsn
Secondly:
AS TO THE TEST OATH.
The same journal remarks
g But the most insulting provision in this sec.
tior, and the most intolersble provision in the
whole bill, is that which makes il and the
Constitution Of equal sanctity which compcls
every man who presents himself at the polls 10
vote. or M a candidate for Office, to swear that
he will support the Nebraska bill and which
requires him TO devote himself 10 tho propaga-
ton o. Slavery before he Is allowed TO exercise
the inalienable right OF frcemen
This is the first time an American citizen