Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-07-22
CONGRESSIONAL.

The nDME@TEND BILL was ulder ulscuSSlOn l'9'
week in the. L.. $. Senate, OF course, that body
has no Intention of passing the bill, but it afforded
some Of the Shareholders an opportunity to vent
their spleen against foreigners. The immense and
increasing German population Of tins country show
such tendencies towards free principles, as to excite
the fear and hatred of the Shareholders, and they
take all suitable methods to exhibit it. Mr.. Clay.
ton was foremost in his efforts to exclude them from
the benefits of The proposed law. Great jealousy
was also manifested, lest by some hook OF crook,
.colorcd persons might also derive some benefit
thercfrom, and quite a discussion sprang up on an
amendment designed to make the bill Enthusiastically
plain on this point.
Mr.. STEWART, of Michigan, understood that,
under the laws of The United States, none but white
persons could become citizens. Negroes may vote
and hold Lands in particular States, but cannot be
como citizens Of the United States.
Nj. JONES, of Tennessee, asked, docs the Sen
ntor admit that a negro, under any contingency
whatever, can become u citizen of the UnitedtStates?
dfho admits that, then his amcudmentis a good one
hut deny that a negro can ever become a citizen
of the United States, under the Constitution and
the laws of the land. If he cannot become a cit
zen, the amendment of the Senator from Kentucky
rs OF no SOTJ vi lnIuIttiCc' II 'H"It'l "''"'N
that negroes can become citizens, they admit
that Fred. Douglass may take his place in the Con
rrcss pr the United States, if lie should be elected
a proposition against which | enter my solemn
protest. They are not citizens in the confer pIn-
ton of the Constitution, and can never become citi-
acns.
lie desired to have the question settled, whether
any other than a white person could have the ben
Gifts of the bill.
Mr.. CHASE said that to extend to them the
full bcue6ts of this bill would only recognize in them
that capacity to hold real estate, which is secured to
them by the laws of North Carolina and Nir-
ginia, Just as much as by the laws of Ohio and
Massachusetts. ! shall therefore vote against the
amendment, in the first place, because it is ruga-
tory, and in the second place, because it is inhu-
man and unjust; and [ doubt whether the friends
of the bill will promote its chances Wy agreeing to
it.s .. u..H...
Mr.. CLAYTON. Although ! have Il fixed and
settled opinion upon this question, as to whether
Il black, or any other than a white person, can
become u citizen of the United States, yet as by
many it is regarded as an exceedingly interesting
question, | desire to make Il remark. [ remembcr
sir, very well, that in the year 1919, application,
were made to the Department of State for pass
ports for other than white persons. | refused
them, on the ground that a passport contains
certificate that the person who receives it is a citi
zen of the United States; and as | did not concur
in the opinion that any but Il white person coulC
lie a citizen of the United States, ! declined giving
the passports. But, sir, found Immediately tina
| was assaulted by a great portion of the Northern
press, and by many respectable persons at the
North, who seemed to think that the point was
not correctly settled at the Department. | have
never changed my opinion upon the subject bu
; that opinion to which / refer, that colorcd persons
can become citizens of the United States, and are
citizens of the Emitted States, is entertained by
very respectable and considerable portion of thu
people of the Northern States. a provision in til,
Constitution Of the United States declares that 'tht
citizens ur each State shall DC entitled to all thu
privileges and immunities of citizens in the scvera
States" If, then, it was argued u colorcd maj
could Ae a citizen of Massachusetts,, he is II citi
zen of the United States; and SO they held he wa
entitled to 4 passport. My opinion is now as
said it was in lS49; but the very fact that such
question was raised then, and that the Department
was extensively assailcd upon that ground, show
the necessity and importance Of the amendment
proposed. If there be any doubt at all upon thi
subject, it is the duty of the Senate to amend this bill
to make il as clear as possible, and to declare tha
none but white persons shall enjoy the benefits 0
this act.
w. - WAsuINGroN, July Is.
SENATE.-Mr. Sumner presented Il mcmoria
from the PHILADELPHIA Society for the promotion