Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-27

make laws for me- might be willing to assume upon my
self the Office Of doing co. But sir it. different thing
when to invite foreigners TO hereforegners
who unaccustomed to the principles Of the
mon law, the magas cGrta from which derive all
notions hotred republicans from France or from Germa
n.y. When the selection is not to be confined to those
who have in measure been accustomed to the ad-
mnistration Of the English Law, either in Great Britain
or Ireland, would pause for long time before would
such an office those who have been invited
nere ana especially after have the demonstration
mas oeen made by irresponsible crowds Of foreigners
NO. showing what they are about. Have not already
seen .nal have invited this very class Of per-
sons 70 joan tnem! Under their influence they have met
ana nave dared to burn in egy one of the American
Senators Tor acting upon the grave responsibilities of his
position mere IN the Senate house. If the option
given to me to allow such persons to come and vote
would exclude them, whilst might admit very different
class have therefore strong opinions upon this sub
ect-not constitutional, grant admis the practice
has varied. have taken pains to hove synopsis
of laws upon this subect prepared and win state
/ it to the Ssnate
Northeast Territory Ordinance 1851 Classification Of
Yoters-That freehold in fifty acres Of land in The dsrc
having been citizen Of Of the States and being resi-
dent in the district the like freehold and years resi-
dence in the district shall be necessary qualify man as
an eeetor o: representative.
1898. AEssssppi--same the above; ordinanc, 1857
| 1890. Iaatana.-Same.
1904 Observation-Disclosures Council.
1895. Mchigan.-Same the ordinance 1887.
! 1902 IHinois.--Same the ordinance 1857.
ISL ISL additional legislation On the subject as foow
second grade Of Territorial government in conformity with
the provisions of the act entitled An act for dividing Ind
into two separate governments each and every free
oe male person who shah have attained the age Of twenty
one years and who shall have paid county territorial
and who shall have resided one year in ad Territory
previous any general election ana be the any
such election resident thereof shall be entitled fer
members of the Legislative Council and House Of Repreen
| tatives for the said Territory.
/ First departure from the ordinance 1871
1912. MissoaThat all free white male citizens Of the
United States above the age of twenone years who have
resided in said Territory twelve months preceding
election and who shall have paid territorial county
assessed at least six months previous thereto shall be entitled
to vote for representatives to the General Assembly of said
Territory.
1917. Ala5a0a.--Same as ordinance of 1881.
1919. Arhaasas.--Same as Missouri, 1912.
1885, Wisconsn-EFreehold qualification first stricken out
That every free white male citizen Of the United States above
the Of twenty who shall have been nhabt
ant Of said Territory the time Of its organization shall be
entitled to vote at the first election, and shall be eligible
any office within said Territory Proria That right
suffrage shall be exercised only by citizens of the United
States. .4....@ '....
1888. lo@a--ssme as Wisconsin.
1912 Minnesota. Wisconsin and Iowa. with the
additional words the proyiso and those who shall have de-
cared onth their intention become SUCH and shall have
taken an oath to support the Constitution Of the United States
and the provisions Of this act .,.i
From this statement Of laws the subject it vii
be that legislation has shown great degree of
indifference in regard to it by those who have supern-
tended it, AT one time il would have been very wrong
of Congress require but citizens to vote, when in
fact the Territories remote that citizens could
not very wei get there Hence in the early settlement
of the country many persons did vote who not cit
but they required to be actual residents and
property qualification imposed. In 1899 actual
settlers with years residence allowed to vote
In view of this variation III policy this subject,
| am free to ay have constitutional scrupes. My
objection is broadly to the policy Of devoying upon
persons coming from abroad the right Of
shaping our Territorial Governments | do not know
what course might have taken if this ques
ton; but llave considered the subject and have
brought my mi nd to this conclusion do not say that
my objections are insuperabe that they may not be
overcome; but at present retain them, and they are
very strong upol the subject
Mr.. PRATT. Mr.. President when this amendment was
originally inrod iced by the honorable Senator from Del
to the Sen ate bill voted for it and it is known
that Senator nd to other Senators this floor that
had right exr that if his amendment ncor-
porated into the III he would vote with me for it. But
his amer ,dment incorporated into the BILL
he did not vote for the measure; and IN that respect
was disappointed.
Mr.. President, made no speech upon the subject of
this bill, do esign to make one. 1t has been my
habit when others this floor have fully discussed the
principles Of any asure so that they could 60 to
common constituency to rest myself satisfied with my
vote in accordance With what thought right. The
friends of this measur have believed that one
great principle which will prevent future successful ag
taon upon the subjec of slavery and that principle is
that the people Of the Territories irrespective Of any
Congressional action, should regulate that matter for
themselves.
Now readily lerstand why my honorable friend
from Delaware may YER consistently press this amend
here because alt lough it should be adopted he
would yet vote against the bill and the very which
deters from voting did before for the amendment
apprehension of the defeat OF the if it be
adopted. That however, would be an inducement to the
honorable Senator to advo ae and press the amendment
which has been again intro duced
But my honorable friend from North Carolina says we
have no evidence that the majority of the House Of Rep
is opposed ne principle of the amendment
Of the honorah Senator ON Delaware because
there taksn upon it, ny, sir, appreAend that my
honorable rier should be that those who had the
Of this in the other branch of the
National Legis lature would hardly have pursued the
course they di unless the aware that the bill
would be defeat ed if this endmen had been retained
in it. This endment of ii self would tend to deract
from the bill y many votes which were obtained in the
other House, many more than would be sufficient to
obtain its passat :e.
Mr. President, shall against the amendment al
though feel deeply the Senator from Delaware or
any other Senau upon this feel the want II
policy in suerr foreigners to take upon themselves be-
fore they urazed the irb of American czens
Although feel it as strongly any here, and am
prepared to ress it, yet think its proper place is not
upon this BILL 1t is not for Con gres Mr. President I'M
less you nd your Const ution initiate this pro-
ceeding The medy is with til people themselves We
find that that edy has aread commenced its career
We nnu Lnat nolitical organizations
indicated by the from Sou I'll Carolina raising
an American spirit in the land which to the
purpose of getting rid of this stain upon our escutcheon
1t be public opinion, sir the public opinion Of the
native and zed citizens of this country which is
to- cure this evil and il be cured by putting the
amendment on the bill which is now upon your table.
believe it will be cured The spirit is abroad The
people of this great country native Ind naturaEed
willing to their brthrght Inject to the foreign
importaons of those whom the Senator has alluded,
Of others who may come here vou ntary for their