, 1854-04-22
The Election Law.

We desire to call the particular atten-
ton of our readers, to the consideration of
the remarks of the Speaker of the House,
(MR. CHENowETH, from Clarke on the
bill regulating elections, whereby half-breed
American Indians are allowed the rights of
suffrage, those now resident in the Terrific
ry at the passage of the act, and have
adopted the manners and customs Of civil-
zation.
As great as the effort has been to keep
down an organization of party, or the draw
ing of party lines, in the Legislative As
sembly, the discussion on this question has
efectually drawn the distinction between
aohig and democrat although two democrats
honestly differed by voting in the minority,
and one whig by recording his vote in the
majority.
This is at'present one Of the most deli
cate, as we'll as the most important, politi-
cal questions which the present legislature
has been called upon to act. 1t is one that
affects the rights of the pioneers of the
Territory: it is one that is to give color to
the future political complexion of our Ter
Eitory, for long time to come. By exclu-
ding this class Of persons, who have been
made citizens by the Organic Act, q GER
tain portion Of the population of Clarke,
Lewis, and Pierce Counties, will be exclu-
ded from the elective franchise-those,
TOO, who have adopted the rirtWes of the
manners and customs Of civilization.
For a moment, let us reason together on
the Propriety of the passage of this law.
In the first place, those who were Hnfor-
tEnate enough to arrive in this Territory at
the early days Of its settlement, and equal
ly unfortunate, who made companions of
the aboriginal race-the only occupants of
the land Of their adoption, have already
been arraigned TO enter into bonds of mat
rimony with those with whom they have
been connected, or abide the process of
law governing and applicable to them
This will prove most salutary in the preven-
ton Of sSIjects for future legislation on this
vexed and rezing question.
The restrictions thrown around the law,
guard the ballot box so effectually, as to
preclude the possibility, that judges of cleo
tons cannot fail to arrive at an honest con-
victiou, as to who are entitled to rights un-
der it, and who are not.
Those who live in shanties, catch and
subsist salmon, become debased or
graded beyond certain pOint-certainly
no judges Of elections will decide have
adopted the manners and customs (Of
'Ohat shOul6be) civilization"
1t is only to those who have risen above,
and surmounted the elements of degrada-
tiou, who have become, or who may here
after become tillers Of the soil, acquainted
with letters, and the mechanical arts or
professions, who can be permitted to inter
fere in elections. Those who have adopted
the custom" Of speaking the English
language, and the habit Of conforming
to all the necessary and accepted rules and
regulations of civilized life.
We know not of single Indian half
breed voter in this county, and consequent
ly an election would not be endangered in
Thurston, from the influence that class Of
citizens might exercise; but not SO in other
counties, where there are kaLf-brecds more
competent to give an intelligent vote than
many tohites in this county, who are allow
ed that right without question, yet have
not adopted the manners and custOmsn as
aforesaid.
Judges Of elections are generally esteem
cd to be upright and exemplary citizens,
and it would be calling in question their
ability to discriminate, as well as their NOR
al honesty, aside from the sacred character
Of their Oaths, for the faithful performance
Of their trusts, to suppose they would be
guilty Of allowing the class of citizens, (vir-
tually made so by the Organic Act,) the
right Of frcemen, who were not justly enti-
tied to its exercise, be the applicant for
such favor democrat or tOhig.
The examples furnished by Mississippi
and Wisconsin, cited by Mr.. Chenoweth, is
worthy of serious reflection; and while we
would determinedly oppose the full blood
Indian here the right of suffrage, we would
nevertheless give our approval to this law
with the safeguards and restrictions thrown
around it, believing the principles of democ-
racy are based upon an extension of the
elective franchise. to all proper subjects. in