American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-05-24

to the right of suffrage by foreigners.
BY the Constitution Of Yirgiuia, none
but citizens of the United States can |
vote, and as no one can legally become
citizen of the United States unless he |
has been resident of the Country for
ire yearss it follows that no one can
as voter in Virginia, who has not, been
o resident of the, United Statss for fee
gears. But blythe Constitution of III, |
liinois it is provided (Arts2. 8. 26, )ssthat
in all elections, all whitel male inhabi-
tants above the age of 81 years, resi-
ded III the State sac A,07, tbs next pre-
ceeding the election shall enjoy the 4
right of an elector. 5s4 ~ 92sF
Now as the vote of every man cast
in Illinois for members of the Legisla-
ture which elects u S. Senetors, for !
members of Congress, and for Presi
dental electors, as a direct bearing on
the interests oftVirginia, it is we'll
worthy of enquiry whether Virginia is,
under the Constitution, to be governed
by the aliens. Tt is a new and grave
question There is certainly differ |
cnce in form between the question of
elective franchise, and the question of
naturalization. But is not this sys-
TEN of allowing aliens to vote before
they arenaturalized an abuse, ifnot an
evasion of the Constitution; A sensi-
BILE writer on the subject has well re-
marked "if individual States can adj
nit to the elective franchise, those who
are not citizens, thereby neutraliaing
the votes Of citizens, not only the fcde-
raj power over naturalization becomes
a nullity, but a minority of actual cit
izens, by the aid Of aliens may control
the government Of the States, and thro'
the States, of the Union
Who will deny that this is crying
abu Sc and that all the Constitutional
powers of the Government ought 20
be brought into rcquisition to correct
it? '
! 9. 1t is proposed to exclude, by State
and federal authority, conyicts aged pau
pers form landing on our shores. to
corrupt ths 8orsls &c citigeGs, tc rlrh-i
der ou@ property, to fill our penitcntia
ries and aims houses, ami to burden
our people with taxation for their sup
port. This is no new policy, and it
! will at once commend itself to the fa-
I vorable regard of all rejecting men.
( 1t is an evil which attracted the at
tention of the founders of the republic
at an early day, and has from time to
I time been pressed upon the attention
OF the Government, but thus far no
adequate measures ofpreyention have
been adopted.
i On the 18th of September, 1888,
the Continental Congress, then about
to close its ,abors, adopted the follow
ing resolution: Resolved, that it be,
and it hereby is recommended to the
several States to pass proper laws to
/ prevent the transportation of convict
led malefactors from foreign countries
into the U. S."--Journal, page 857.
On the 18th November, 1888, yir-
ginia did pass such law imposing a
penalty of ESQ on masters of vessels
who should land conyicts in this State.
! In 1885 the matter was brought to
the attention of Congress, by Mr.
Davis of Massachusetts, who made
long and able speech to the Senate, on
presenting certain resolutions of the
Legislature of Massachusetts,, ON the
subject.
I In 1888, Mr.. Van Burcn, in reply
/. to call of the House, sent message
to Congress, accompanied by many
documents. A bill was reported to
correct the evil, but amidst the press
ofbuisness it oyer-slaughed. See Con-
Z gressional Globe 1878, page 489--
and 1888, page 169.
! In 1916, Mr.. Berrien made an Ella
boratc report cd the subject, accompan-
/ led by great mass Of testimony estab-
fishing in the most conclusive manner
the certainty and magnitude of the
evil. See Sen. Doc. It's. 28th Cong:
mo final action, however, was taken.
In 1847, Mr.. Buchanan, as Secre.
tary of State, adopted measures to ob.
tain information on the subject. and
report was made by Mr., A. d. Mum
on the 18th September, 1847.
On LIST January 1855, Mayor Wood,
Of New York, addressed a strong les.
ter to President Pierce, invoking his
aid. lie saws. eft has long been
fthe practice Of many governments on
the continent Of Europe to get rid Of
paupors and conyicts by sending them
to this country, and most generally to
this port, IN W The increase oil
crimes here can be traced to this cowse,
rather than Che defect in criminal laws