Southern shield., 1855-10-20

some return, we ought to De wiling to contribute freely to the support of our benefactors. Old fashioned people, indeed. have heretofore entertained the opinion, that, by receiving them among us, and sheltering them from persecu- ton, we had performed an act of char itv for which we were entitled to some degree of gratitude, but that is a mis- take which the progressive spirit of the age is rapidly exploding. We are their debtors, and it ought to be acknowl, edged with becoming humility.
 I can devote but little more time to this platform, tempting as it is. One other specimen and l have done.
 S.-RIGHTs OF WOMEN. .
 The declaration of Independence says, that Call men are born equal and endowed with in alienable rights, and to these belong life, lib- erty. and the pursuit of happiness. " We have repeatedly adopted this principle and are of the opinion that women, too, are among ''all men"
 Gallant gentlemen how devoted to the Fair. It is to be hoped that the maidens of your tribe will not fail re- ward your zeal. Let their sunny smiles cheer you, even if you must encounter the frowns of the prudent and thrifty housewife, who, in her ignorance, sup poses that making butter and cheese IS more becoming, as we'll as more profit able, than wearing brooches, smoking away the night in filthy beer shops, or wrangling in public assemblies.
 I have referred to the German asso- citation chiefly for the purpose of show ing how well Mr. Jefferson understood human nature, and how truly he fore told the consequences of foreign emi- grafton. But I wish to address you in this connection, as Statesman whose hand has been laid broad anC deep upon the past legislation of the country, and who will most probably 1 continue, during the remnant of long and useful life, to exert the same infu- ence in public affairs; to beg you to ex- anime this matter carefully-discarC whatever lingering feeling of partizan- ship may hang around you, and give one day wholly to your country. Yot will admit without hesitation, that i ever the time should come when mer holding such opinions as those I have quoted, constitute a majority in tht Republic, all rational liberty will be a
 an end. The tyranny of a single dcs
 pot would be happiness, compared witt the dreadful anarchy of such misgov
 ernment. Is there no danger that tha
 majority will be obtained? Let us turl
 to the official records and see how tn,
 account now stands. In 1850 tber
 were in the United States a foreigl
 population of 2,2244, ,648. From tha
 period to the 1st June, 1855, accord
 ing to the Custom House estimates
 they had more than doubled. In tha 1 'S' iiSAS 'NAO pOui C0 u JOLl OuI SllOj CS
 making grand total of 4,918, ,065.- From the Census reports it appear that over 40 per cent of foreigners ar, males old enough to vote-we may a. we'll call them voters at once, for unde. the present regulations they vote al. most as soon as they land. This gives a foreign voting population of very nearly 2,000, ,000. Let this emigration continue twenty-five years longer, and if there is any truth in figures, for eign majority will be established. You will not question that on that day the funeral hymn of human freedom will be sung. The fate which then awaits us-the long, long night of blood and terror, IS just as certain as was the doom of Nineveh, when the Prophet Nahum stood without its walls uttering his fearful proclamation. Suppose some good Genius should descend from above and lift the veil which curtains the future-suppose he should show you that in hoenty-fUe years the work of the Revolution would be undone- that this happy and glorious land would be sunk in anarchy or blasted by mis- rule; that the altars of the living God would pass away, and the speculations Of German Theologians be substituted for the revelations of the Bible. Would you not shrink and cover and tremble at the dreadful vision? Would you not lift up your voice in agouised pray to the Eternal One to turn aside his wrath from the country you have loved so well, that it might not become a type & an emblem of Jonah's gourd, spring ing in night to it's full and beautiful maturity, and whitening ere another sun had kissed It's cool and verdant leaves? Would you not offer yourself as sac rlhce to appease the anger and satisfy the Justice of the Diety? And yet, sir, you are aiding in the accomplish ment of that very doom-you are tread ing in path which leads inevitably to calamities whose shadows would appal, whose realities would madden you But grant that the danger is not so as believe it to be, is it not better? is 1t not safer, to restrict their right Of voting, and exclude them from tn the exercise of legislative powers? By