Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1855-03-20
TO THE PEOPIE OF VIRGINIA.

TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
FELLow-C,7lzESs The Democrats Sta;e-RigEts
Republican party have presented To you theirecAn-
dldates for tue Executive Offices which arc 10 be l-
led by your election on the fourth Thursday in May
next Those candidates lluYe been selected by our
usual organization faithful representative of the
principles Of party, and as snlIenrly quai-
lied periJrm all tie duties uf the high pinces for
which they proposed. Recognizing the vital
Importance Of the result oil The approaching elections
to our party and TO country, the State Demo
cratic Executive Committee" make earnest appeal
for your cooperation in the contest which now en-
cages the attention of the whole Uuion-
Our party had its origin in the earliest days of
the present Conlcdsracy. When tue Constitution
first put ia operation, two aatsGouistIc parties
struggled for asceudancy. One sought 10 conhne
the Federal Government within the strict and de-
ineu limits OF the CunslutiOn,-Rvoi0iHg the eXer-
else Of all doubtful powers and aiming only nt those
objects which the trainers of tire Constitution had
designated i'll unrquivOC;il terms as legitimate 20 the
Central Government. This party eSacted an unhes-
taling homage TO the wisdom OF the august authors
of that instrument, and sought to administer the
Government in rigid conformity with the written
provisions of the Constitution Inc olHer party
sought bY a latludiuariau construction .! the Cou-
stiIuiio7, obtain in the actual administrator oi
the Federal Government all the power which, IN the
Judgment of those in authority, II might be eIedl-
ont 10 exercise This characteristic division has con-
tnued TO separate the Democratic party from lhS
old Federal party and since its overthrow from the
various parties that have been in opposition 10 tle
Democracy.
That the Democratic party is organized upon the
true principles of the Constitution IS sigr"iy dem
ousrated bv the fuCt that ii is the only party which
has main tained Il permanent existence cCtVhi Win
our present Constitutional system. The history OF
our party is so fortunately identified with the MS
tory OF our country, that the prosperity and glory
of the have been Coincideut with the success ol
the other Tue fact that its leading measures are
now in full operation, and have been sanctioned re-
peatcdly by the approval of the country ana ti 10
open organization now opposes them, stamps II as
the Constitutional party OF the Union aud readers II
unnecessary set here in detail its principles,
already so familiar to the people Of Virginia
In tue career ufits history, the Democratic party
las TO encounter the opposition organized IN different
FORMS and bearing different designations. so tar,
it has overpowered all resistance, and GEnihatee
the national organizations that have opposed tt
The Whig party, which for some years past has COM
biued tue clements of dntagODsm 10 Democracy, hS
apparently succumbCd. The opposition 5eems Cncs
more to be arraying itself in new forms and under
new names. Taught by past experience, those WHO
oppose he Democratic party dare not rsS mem
selves any longer upGn fair comparison oi pr'nri-
ple and policy before enlightened popular ludg-
mcnt. We have TO meet, in the Impending canvass
party which avoids open encncouner,Hnd wIthdFa"S
from public observation ts discussions OF Poiigti
topicS and it's alterations upon pubic AFFAIRS. MS
new party artfIly aiapts is appeals for yotaFits 20
the national and religious PeJudites OF the country
while il proposes to retain, by the most rGd ana
iupOsiu4 party diSCpiue. those who may be entic-
ed - It's rs.jfEs. II il srrc-ess IN the effort 10
obiai1--5S.O. Fclceal 49, <. .itstlGETSi
must use Its powers Tor pnrpoSeS not nov oSSiOS
ed-perhaps no; contemplated hy many Of its adhe-
rents. 1t must have its measures upon tile Rrelst
subjects which so frequently agttatcd IN Con-
grcss-the Tariff, the Finances, the Public Lands
Internal mpruv and the constitutional rights
O! the SHAREHOLDERS. II can have measures OF ma
tcria importance relating 10 the Nvowcd objects OF
its orgauizatiou-iGe immigrant and CathChc poQu-
latUn, If il goes into power, 1t goes WITH purposes
unavuwCd and unknown those great subjects
concerning which lis action may he of the last con-
sequence while it faIters the public PrCjudices re-
spcCtiuE subjects upon which II can really accom-
plish little nothing.
Tie Federal Government with all its departments
combined apply no effective remedy for the al
legged evils incident to the residence of the inmi-
grant population within limits. The natuTali-
zn,iOn laws may be amended repealed. Bat iT-
respective of those laws the most valuable privileges
may still be granted to the alien by the State Gov
ernments. The right Of residence, the right 10 ac-
uuire and hold lands the right of Suffrage, may all
be bestowed upon the alien by the State authorities
without regard being had to the nNturaliIltSa laws
The power to refuse residence to the iIDmgTGs pop
ulaiun appropriately belongs TO the State govern
ueuts The power OF the Federal Government to
expcI any portion of the alien population whose
residence is permitted by the State Government, was
Indignantly repeilcd by the Republican party in
1898 The celebrated alien law provided for the eN
pulsou of portion of the resident aliens. Both
Virginia and Kentucky denounced the law as sn
unconstitutional UsurPation. In the address TO the
people of Virginia accompanying the resolutions OF
1893 il is emphatiCy declared that there is moth
ing in the Constitution distinguishing between tic
power of State to permit the residence OF natiNcs
and aliens. 1t is, therefore, n TIsht originally
possessed and never surrendered by the respective
States. and which is rendered dear and valuable TO
Virginia. because ii is assled through the bosom ui
the Constitution, and because her peculiar situation
renders the easy admission of artiIaus and labOrcrs
an interest of vast importance TO her.. The fourth
Kentucky Resolution of lI9S-dTawn by Mr.. Jefier-
son-asSerts that alien friends under the lur-
isdiction and protection of the laws of the State
wherein they that power over them has
been delegated TO the United States nor prohibited
10 the individual States, distinct from their power
over citizens" Mr.. MadiSOns Report OF lIS9 MAIN
tans similar positions. ts presumed that this eE-
position of the Constitutional powers OF the State
and Federal Governments, over this SUBJECT, Will not
lie questioned in Virginia at this day. Zach State
hns the exclusive right to determine for itself, to
what extent the residence of alien immigrants in its
limits shall be permitted. The governments OF the
respective States alone have the right TO refuse resi-
dcnce TO such of the immigrant population as may
be considered Objectionable by them. While come OF
the advocates of iatitudiuarian construction oi the
Federal authority contend that the power oi the
States over the admission o. Alens ls lrcu IN Ger
tain respects by tine power Of the General Govern
ua.ut 10 regulate commerce, the absolute power of
the States to exclude alien pauPers and convicts IS
universally conceded. The power to premit or re-
fuse residence to Objectionable aliens belonging
thus appropriately the States, the subject is be
yond the control of the Federal Government, and
affords no legitimate object for the organization OF
national party.
The right to acquire and hold real estate and the
right of suffrage are equally subject to State au-
thOrity. The powers OF The STATES over tneSe SUD-
iects have been often exercised and too general
lY admitted TO need auy discussion at this time
Probably all the States permit resident aliens TO
acquire and hold real estate prior to naturalization
Virginia certainly docs. Some Of the States con-
fer the right Of suffrage upon aliens who have de-
! clared their intention to become citizens, while
others require them to be fully naturalized before
they are allowed to vote. The whole subject of suf-
fage is exclusively regulated by the State constitu-
| tions 1t may be confined to native-born citizens
or it may be extended TO all resident aliens, at the
sole discretion of the State soveregntes The nat
uraltzaon laws affect the suhiect only so far as the
! State constitutions may direct II is wholly I'M.
practicable for the Federal Government TO control
! The right of suffrage through any laws which 1t
| cOuld enact.
Those who seek to curtail the privileges enjoyed
| by the immigrant population, can accomplish no
essential object through the agency OF the Federal
/ Government So long as the alien enjoys under
the State government, the right Of residence, the
right to acquire and hold property, and the right Of
suffrage he can experience but little Inconvenience
from the want Of the few additional privileges
which full and formal citizenship would confer
The only appropriate theatre for the operations o.
3 tArty Organized to effect the pFoessed objects o