Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-03-06
i" W "''
10 TIMOTHY RIVE, Esq.
CLOVER HILL, Prince GEORGE. January

CLOVER MILL, PRINCE GEORGE. JANUARY ~
Dear Sir:-Iour letter Of the 18th, requesting ne
70 favor You with answers to the intcrrogatOrieS there
in contained, was received by me to-day, aud II ri
fords me great pleasure to comply without your re-
quest. 49,
To Your frat question: 'Do YOU approve OF dlsap'
prove OF secret political societies"
l have to say, that | am n~ncompromisngiy opp'sca
10 nll secret political societies.
In answer TO your second in.errogatory: ~" you
approve or disapproye of the organization call'e
know-Noihings!" herein cncl"s" a resolution
drawn by myself, and adopted unanimously ny u
meeting u! n portion OF the Democrats vi truce
George court. held OH the llth of November l9Yi'
in which my disapprohatiUn, and | may add my de'
nunciation OF the Order is fully set forth. Ana l am
free TO say, that ne their herrsies are being ucFtioPed'
my opposition increases.
Indeed, | MN satisfied, that the b!arkcst spot on the
page o!tke history ofEirginiH, will appear whenevert!ie
fathers ana brothers, who cXcc!cI.u the fl+ht 81 SUI
fragc, shall 20 stultify themselves rs TO enter mi" or
ioiu n secret political society, aGi by uaths bind them
sclvca in sGcrct-theTcbv preventing them from en-
lisLtrnin. their sons, minors, roon i" appear Oh th'
political stage, on The principles anu policy OF govern
mcnt which they entertain.
Mint coulI iustify a kuow-NothinS father, sur
rot nlrt hy his ,ons, on the eve al an exciting ficc-
ton, in Withholding from them the merits OF me -,
SITE involved in the contest! The spectacle ~n4!1
be revolving, a cnnspirntpr in his own family. His
conduct un.ustainrd, morally, socially and politically.
This dark picture in the family circle is too shocking
10 CONTEMPLATE. Still il is nothing To the horrors OF u
crusade upon religion, when the torch Of The inhdcl
would make night hideous By the flames from the
house ii God.
To your third in,errosatory, whGthc: Il am in ia.
vor Of extending the period Of residence to twenty
one wears bs;ure the admission OF foreigners 10 ciii-
a~enShip!" answer, that am opposed to such en-
tension. believing tina! the existing laws on the auh-
jcct q. naturalization, if carried out, will answer the
purpo." for which they were intended.
I" your fourth inierroga:"iy, whether 81 am OPP
posed 20 the election or appointment OF foreign born
citizens, or of citizens of amy particular religious per-
suasion under rho Federal or state Governments
from which they are not now excluded under The con-
sti,utinn" permit mr 10 Eny, tha; ] thank the IndlVi-
duais excluded bv the Federal aud State con-t!tlt-
tions showed tho wisdom OF the trainers of the two
Instruments: ana almns, regret that the Know No.
Things hal not existed Mt that day, that they, too,
might have been put i'll the same category. ] nm not
opposed Ia the election ~ appointment OF 'ici a'
are not now excluded because of the place OF Their
birth or 81 their religious persuasion.
My answcrtO Your fifth inirIrogatory is, that ! be-
licve "ruchl Slate has the RICH, to extend the ~electI""
franchise 10 all persons within her limits. whr'hcrna-
turalized according to the laws Of the United S'htes
or not II il true that the powor is expressly con
frrrri oil Congress by tho Federal constitution, 10
establish Il Uniform Rule OF Naturalization. ANA IL
ia equally true that by that instrument, Each house
shall DO tn" Judge of the elections, returns anu q"ni'
fcations of its members" Aud il is further express
" declared, that "1he House ~ Representative
shall be composed Of members clnSen every Setoni
wear by the people of the several States, and the cl"C-
tors in euch STATE shall have the qualifications requi-
site tor electors Of the most numerous branch nj the
State Lrgis!aturc'-clenrly comforting the power IN
Congress-, so far rs naturalization "t foreigners Il
concerned, aud leaving 10 the States the control OF
the riSkk of snHr6Ge.
4. appears to me that therc could not be a more d..
rect invasion OF State Rights than TINT of the FEEDER.
81 government prcsumlng 70 prescribe who sh0afd
md who should not vote within n particular State.
This right belongs To each State, 70 be regulated by
5sr constitution and such laws Is sho may choose TO
enact. And this clamor now rnisnd By the Know
Nothing. of the North against foreign voters. il that
BE- the true motive ot the notion, might be settled b.
provisions in their State constitutions, prrLCribing
such restriction as they may deem necessary.
The constitution Of orr State extends ihu right Of
suffrage II every white male cii,: { Of the Com
monwca!tli, of the age Of 81" &c. Oar code OF laws
defines who are citizens Of the State, tsee Civil Code,
pare OIL Hence, whilst | believe the right cxists in
uuch State to extend the elective franchise tn foreign
crs before naturalization, yet ] think the State of Nir-
ginia has acted wisely in requiring the voter to be
citizen before he eau enjoy the right Of suffrage.
| am aware TINT the power Involved IN your last
question has been hut n short tiIno under ronsltrr'-
ton, and / regret that thc limits ni Il letter Will not
nllow me To further tor:.fy my opinion hy II more sA
tended examination Of the subject.
With sentiments III respect,
Your Chedicnt servant, lin. RlNES'
r 4 nm ESI