Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-17

relied and still rely sustained by the abest men OF
Mr. SEWARD. / wish to ask the honorable Senator as
to one considerable difficulty that lies in the way Of his
proposition, in my mind My question is, whether the
senate Of the Uuited States in making treaty with
foreign Power, incorporating portion of foreign
try IN the United States in the Of Louisiana and
Florida have power TO stipuate to extend the rights OF
cinzenshp to foreigners in that case
Mr. CLAYTON. | shall refer, in the course pre-
scrbed for myself to the very matter to which the
teman has called my attention II had not escaped me
AS there are many here who rest particularly upon the
opinions Of John c. Calhoun and many of those gen.
tlemen who have taken ground against the amendment
are known to be followers Of his doctrines, viii read
from speech delivered by him the given by him
that very question which the has propounded
me, and much of that speech necessary show
the opinions of its author upon the whole question now
pending before the Senate. Mr. Calhoun was remark
able for the logical character Of his mind and above all
men but that ever knew, the most remarkable
for his power Of condensation and the which
shall call the attention Of the Senate strkngy cha
Yacterstic. F
While that bill to which have referred under
consideration before the Senate the I'd Of April 1886,
Mr. Porter of Louisiana, having moved TO recommit the
bill to committee in consequence OF the defects which
have pointed out and particularly the clause about the
right Of suffrage, Mr. Preston of South took the
ground that the clause constitutional and also that
it constitutional to allow State in her constitution,
at the time she admitted into the Union to authorize
aliens vote. On these questions MIR. Calhoun took
Mr. Clay had moved to amend an amendment. which
had been introduced by Mr. silas Wright to allow the
people to vote restrict the right Of suffrage IN
Michigan to those about to elect convention to MAKE
her constitution male citizens of the United States OF
twenty years Of age. Mr. Calhoun sustained that
motion and discussed both questions Among other things
he said
Michigan is not yet State Her constitution is not yet
formed 1t is at best but incpient state which
only be consummaed by complying with the conditions which
prescribe for her admission. convention is to be
called under this BILL to to these conditions On mo-
ton Of the Senator from New York Wright provision
introduced into the bill giving the right to the people OF
the Territory argewhout limitation restriction Us TO
color citizcnshto vote for the members Of the
convention. The Senator from Kentucky, (Mr Clay) while
the amendment Of Senator from New York pending
moved amend the amendment by striking out people and
inserting free white male citizens Of OF
thus restricting the the free white citizens Of
the United States in conformity with what has been usual
Believing Congress had the unquestionabe right to
prescribe the of voters proposed by the Sem
from Kentucky and that the exercise Of such right does
involve in degree the question whether State has
Alright confer alien the rights Of citizenship must
the expression of regret that colleague has felt
it to be his duty to raise question novel and important
do not deem it follow my colleague and the
Senator from Kentucky their attempt define describe
citizen Nothing ia difficult than the definition
description Of complex idea and hence all argu
resting definition, in such cases. almost
sary lead to uncertainty and doubt But though may
not be able to say with precision what citizen is
say, with the utmost certainty what he He not
alien Alien and citizen stand in standardization to each
other They Of course cannot co-exst They are In fact
SO opposite their nature that we cannot conceive OF the one
but in contradsncon to the other Thus far all must be
agreed. Ny next step is not less certain. -
"The Constitution confers Congress the authority to
uniform laws of This will not be
toned nor will be that the effect OF naturalization H to re-
4 Dioue alienage.
ITO aienage simply to put foreigner the
condition of native born 10 this extent he act of natu
| ralization goes, and no further.
"The position is less certain, that when
Congress has exercised its authority by passing auniform law
of naturalization excludes the right Of exercising
similar authority the part Of the State To suppose that
the pass naturalization Of their after
Congress had passed uniform law of naturalization would
be make the provision Of the Constitution nugaory do
not deem 1t to dwell on this point understood
i m s n Is
am prepared to decide the question which my col
league raised have alien,
and that alienage nsuperabe barrier till removed
citizenship; and that it only be removed by complying
with the act of Congress II follows, of that State
cannot of its authority make alien citizen without
such compliance To suppose can involves IN my opinion
confusion Of ideas which must lead to nnumerabe absurdi
ties and contradictions, propose to notice but few
Then complaining that the gentlemen the other side
of the chamber pressing the bill through to vote
that night and that it done for party purpose
procure the votes Of Michigan for Mr. Van Buren, he
proceeds with the discussion arEUs {tYf
whatever difference opinion there may as to what
other rights apperan to citizen all least agree that
has the right petition and also to claim the protection
of his Government These belong him member Of the
body polite and the possession Of them is what separates
citizens of the lowest condition from aliens and To
suppose that State make alien citizen the
to present tho question specifically him
the right of voting would inv olive the absurdy giving him
direct and immediate control the action Of the General
Government from which he las right claim the protec.
ton and to which he has right present petition That
the full force OF the absurdy be felt must be borne
in mind that department OF the General Government
either directly indirectly control Of the voters in
the several States The Constitution wisely provides that
voters for the most branch the Legislature
States shall for the members Of the House Rep
resenes and the members body are chosen by
the Legislatures States the Presidential electors
either by the Legislatures in the States ii
follows have stated that the action of the
eminent either directly indirectly under control Of
the voters in the several States Now admit til State
may confer the right OF voting all aliens, and il win follow
consequence that might have among
constituents who have the right claim the pro-
tecton OF the Government or to present petition to it.
would ask colleague IL he would willingly bear the rca-
ton of representative to those who could claim his aid
Senator to protect them from oppression,
ton through him to the Senate praying redress gey
ance2 And such might be his condition the principle
| for which he contends.
be declared between the United States and country
which the alien belongs suppose, for instance that South
Carolina should confer the right of voting alien subjects
Great Britain residing within her limits and that should
be declared between the two countries what in such
would be the condition of that portion Of voters They
alien enemies would be liable be seized under the
Congress- and to have their goods conscated and them
selves imprisoned sent ont Of the country The prnps
that leads to such consequences true and
ture nothing in asserting that Carolina, least will
to incorporate members of her body polite
who might be placed in degraded condition and
pletey under the control of tho General Government
But let from these las il appears concu
sve views and inquire what the objects of the Const
tuition in comforting Congress the authority passing uni
form laws of naturalization; from which, if mistake
not less conclusive Of the
position for which contend?
I'm comforting this the trainers Of the Constitution
must have had two objects in view: One compe
on between the States in holding inducements for the
emigration Of foreigners prevent their i'm
i nrnna nj Ial ~ hEnaN