The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-07
THE DEMOCRACY or RHODE ISLAND.

occasion, as viii be below, an able speech was
delivered BY Ex-Governor Lawrence and spirited resolu
tions adopted against the abohonknow-not party
which aims ruling running this republic In the
spread Of the hgher-aw and secrsconcaye doctrines
New England is gratifying 10 perceive that there
stout hearts there prepared 10 resist as becomes patriots Of
Spartan integrity the insidous internal enemy
"spEroH o. oovKaxoa LAwarscr.The president Of the
convention taking the chair referred
course Of his remarks the phase which the opponents
Of democracy had assumed The secrecy which char
acteristic Institution Of ownohingism constituted
its strength for Invested of its mystery il could stand for
moment before the intelgen OF the age known,
principles religious perseoutona persecution of
those who professed the religion with majority
OF the Christian world and exclusion of all foreign
the rights OF citizenship The directly opposed
20 all that made Roger Williams able;
The the Declaration OF Independence which Thos
jefferson assigns among the which justified sepaa
ion from Great Britain the refusal of the King
thereby retardng the settlement of
the colonies He said that further their Objects the
9rossest had been made BY the
nohings the laws OF other countries whose situs-
ton having population beyond their means OF sup
port might well justify policy less favorable to nat
uraiz alton than ours. We have indefinite supply of
land which the people OF other countries OF
the day good right ancestors had to
come here We OF aborgines and il there
any force in the American doetrine called, should
WELD our houses and lands the miserable OF
the ndanshe lords of the sosti to be found in
Chsrestown. He said, however, that nothing
than the idea that laws which require
dence of i've years, and preliminary declaration of three
years favorable emgrsnts than those OF other
countries. The the fact Though 1t has been
decided that the power of which, if
any thing the right to enjoy political rights,
including the right exclusive and complete in
the general government the law of Congress has been multi
Rhode Island which has superadded conditions the
OF the elective franchise by naurazed citizens not
required Others and which, if carried its legitimate
consequences, might exclude them wholly.
'Yet the naturalization law, il stands the
book renders citizenship difficult of attainment
the United States than in other country of Christen
DOM He surprised in a document of less
thoy than the inaugural speech OF the OF Massa
the grosest this subject and English stat
referred still existing which had been abrogated
for eleven 1t is true that some two hundred
ago great jealousy entertained of foreigners in
quence OF the Prince Of Orange when he became King of
England bringing with him good OF his
ymen and comforting offices the Dutch This led to the
introduction in the act of settlement by which the
Parliament should be introduced comforting natural
zaton which did not contain clause excluding the
naturazed only from Parliament and the privy council
but all offices OF honor trust and, with the
ception of extraordinary when special laws
passed dispense with this condition preliminary to the
araization this continued the rule to the mother
till ls44, q and yctora) At that time the whole
system changed Every impeachment removed from
oete effect that the party natnrazed might sit in Par
lament and the prvy council and by general provision
with the exception of these positions foreigner who
goes to England, whether Catholic Protestant, jew
GENTLE who goes there for the purpose of permanent resi-
dence may the day present petition to the Secretary
Of State for the Home Department and without alb
Duration Of his country, but swearing allegiance
Queen and aburng all petenders her crown become
all respects entitled to the rights and privileges
GLIDING voting for members Of Parliament if otherwise quail
fled, any native born subject With regard to the colo
nies there all times provisions for
existing in the mother country All Professionals before the
revolution. naurazcd residence of term of
years and that there still greater facilities was
has been stated, efficient Of the revolution Exist
ing allow the colonial legislatures aze aliens
such terms as they deem best.
France required to hold land aud
enjoy all civil rights and after OF years naturaza-
ton obtained under general provision, and at all times
executive may dispense with previous resi-
ience Such likewise is the law of Austria, of Prus
H. Netherlands, Russia, and, indeed, of all continental
Europe and, in most oath of allegiance,
without any abjuraon of ones country is required
whereas the United States there is aburaon Of all
foreign potentaes and particularly Of the country to which
alien before owed allegiance well oath to the
United States required Gov Lawrence referred to former
when this spirit Of persecution and exclusion
sed reign of and of black cockades in 1885, in
time of old John Adams, when naturalization law
curing fourteen residence and five previous dec
passed. and nothing contributed efficiently
than that hur the old federas from power and tri
umphany elect Thomas Jefferson. All he asked that
opponents may make the issue and stick it,
g Reolred. the of the c0nvenon,) That the
principles and of the democ attic party under which
of the United States has attained
power and prosperity, heartily cherished by
u.s. and that they are sufficient to maintain and carry for
ward all the great objects of with security
and success.
Re-oued That the of bound together
by Illegal and secret oath for the purpose Of controlling pop
ular elections and the dongs the legislature highly
dangerous republican institutions diminshes conf
ience between and strikes the root of popular
form of government, is hostile civil liberty
Jesusm and should be deprecated and stunned by all
good citizens. t.as
Resolped, That the only manner in which any gov
eminent deserving the Of of the peo
pie can be carried is by free and open discussion Of
the proposed to be carried and by free and
of the qualifications OF the candidates proposed
for election and that any attempt conceal such
such candidates carries with the very
and prescription.
"Resored That this has always been proud 10 pro-
claim of earliest and principles
full liberty in religious concernnents' and therefore
declare, in the words bill rights that no
should be senorced restrained moested burdened
in hs body goods, disqualified from holding Office
otherwise suffer- OF his religious belief; and
every shall be worship God according to the
dictates OF his conscience and profess and by
mainain his opinion matters OF and that
the shall in wise diminish enlarge, affect his civil
capacity
" Resoieed That congratulate the democracy and the
country large in the prosperous condition
national affairs Since the election Of Franklin Pierce
the trade OF the Union has been extended the
regions OF the globe and through negotiations previously
commenced by of Rhode Island the empire of Japan
mercia nations of the world the great rivers Of South
America have been opened the enterprise citizens
a reciprocal has been established with
neghbors Of the British provinces which, creating unity of