Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-10-08

They assumed that principle; we denied it and
what the action of the Convention on the sub
ject? Why, they decided simply that an alien could
not acquire political residence What then becomes
Of the charge that have attacked the rights and
privileges Of the toregnery Where then Is the odous
restriction which, trumpet-tongued, we have so re-
Peatedly been charged with, by the honorable menl-
Der. AS endeayoring to fasten upon the foreignerg
ne have respected their feelings epa have IN all
respects harmonzed with them as with our American
brethren Do those gentlemen think, who profess So
much zeal here and pretend to much love for the
foreigner, that they alone in their feelings OF graf
ttude TO those foreigners who ina the hour of our
country's need came 60 our add No sir. All kmer
cans feel It, But feeling ii and acknowledging IL IA
am willing to do, that are indebted 10 them for
mat service, y mat reason why we should place
ourselves politically at their mercy? Is at reason
why We should deliver ourselves bound hand and
foot over 10 them that they may obtain the mastery
over as in our own government and of our own ns-
tusnsP For my part, sir, shall forever oppose any
measure, come from what quarter it may that win
tend TO take from the hands of the American people
the reins of their own government
The honorable gentleman, in adyerting 10 the
primary rights with which all American citizens are
vested endeavored TO illustrate his argument by ma
king q comparison between the common partnerships
OF individuals and the political partnerships of natu-
ralized and native-borm citizens and tried to show
you, as an argument, that they were equally cun>
cerned in the welfare msfortunes Of the govern
ment, and had to contribute If necessary their quota
to its wants. For my part, cannot conceive there
is any analogy in the two cases, and il there were
the genteman's argument would NOT be aided by il,
for frequently happens partnerships for business
that it is mutually agreed that OF the parties is
alone and solely charged with the government OF the
| partnership affairs.
But, sir, deny the gentlemans premises /
deny what he has been pleased to term an axiom,
| that all men are entitled to equal political rights,
and that we have no power under our mandate from
the people TO clrcumscrbe those rights If such were
the case sir whence have derived the power upon
the restrictions as to residence color age which
have already imposed, without our right to do so
being questonedi If the genteman's argument be
correct it should hold good throughout but its error
is evinced when it is carried TO It's extreme and its
falsity IS proven by complete redctio ad a6sara.
| at was well remarked the other day in debate by
| an honorable delegate from New Orleans (Alr.
| Grymes) that government may become so popular
as to be no government at all. An absence Of all re-
strictons leaves OF necessity power in the hands of
the strongest or, in other words reduces society
anarchy; and yet when we endeavor to avoid this
4 result by guarding our government our Institutions
and the prosperity of our country from danger hon
| orable members reply by accusing us of bias to-
wards aristocracy or monarchy The question under
discussion has been presented on two grounds both
of which shall endeavor TO treat-1st have we the
power 3D. is II expedient to insert this provision in
our new constitution
| A part of MIR Benjamin's speech at Odd Fellows
| Hail. on Tuesday night last composed an argument
against the assumed article in the creed Of the Amer
lean party, declaring naturaized citizens incapable
of holding office. These were his words:
" The constitution provided for naturalization and
with the exception of those of President and Vice
President naturalized citizens were eligible to ali Of
| fees under it. Whether aware of it or not every
| one who had joined organization which declared
that class of citizens incapable Of filling any office
were making war upon the constitution of the coun-
| try"
In contradistnction to this opinion Of the Senator
In 1896, we present the views OF the gentleman
| in 1915:
O. The gentleman has roundly asserted that this
State has not the constitutional power to prescribe
as qualification for Governor, that he should be a
native-bom citizen of the United States This sir is
novel, and, l may be allowed to add startling re-
mark, from gentleman so learned and so eminent in
his profession as the honorable delegate from New
Orleans. | can say, sir, with truth, that having
grown up from my earliest youth under the institr-
tons of the country having been compelled 10 make
them my special study in the practice of my profess
sion, and having the right to say, without 1 hope
being accused OF presumption, that they familiar
to me- never, till this hour heard doubt suggest
ed as to the constitutional power of State to pre-
scribe the qualifications required for holding Office in
its government
"In word then, sir assert that our power to
insert the clause disputed, is not doubtful question:
that have the power to do so consiItionalJy and
the only question have to decide is is it ex-
pedient for us TO do so9 My own impression is that
we should unhesitatingly insert it, if we study our
own interests. When first proposed to the COM
mittee to insert it IN the section il was natural in
snct that prompted me to believe that vas neces-
sary. Since then have given the subject calm and
serious deliberaton, and l have daily, nav hourly,
and proprietY of the measure. Sir have listened
with delight to the eloquent eulogy pronounced by
the delegate from New Orleans on the brave men
who lent us their aid in lSl5-on Savary St GENES
and their associates-I have witnessed in imapina-
ton the memorable scenes so graphically and eo-
auently described by the honorable gentleman from
Rapides, Mr. BRENT and Ihaye felt my heart glow
| with feelings of gratitude towards the brave and
| generous men who amidst the smoke and carnage
of battle breasted the British bayonets and side by
side with American citizens, periled their lives in
4 nIrTn ntrNr'd narNo hfpn
alll-and will yield to man in expressing on all
occasions and in all suitable manner the acknowl-
| edgments that are due to their eminent services
But sir, let not allow our feelings to obtain the
mastery over our judgment. Those brave men were
the sons of France, and the enemy was the heredi-
tary foe OF France Sir does the gentleman can any
man, believe that If our invaders had been French,
these gallant men would have gone to battle against
| their countrymen9 Sir, they would have recoiled
with horror at the forethought with the same in-
stinctiye adherence as if called on to sme tn cheek
| of the mother that bore them. How then sir can
we place, the commander-n-chef of our armies an
individual who, in the event of war with the coun-
try of his birth, would be exposed to this conflict Of
duties and of feelings. The honorable gentleman
tells that in like this gallant spirit sti-
fling all that love of country of or natal soil that
the Creator has implanted in the bre 81 of every man.
and would takestor his motto, 'Ft5s que DDS dvi-
Quf poW7d.s Sir, this may sound very finely in
theory, but every feeling Of nature would recoil
| from its practice.
| II call on the gentleman to point out to me the
man, nay, sir, ask, if he himself and surely there
is whose eninence citizen would render him
more worthy of so exalted station ask il he him
SELF commander of our armies were called to lead
cur forces into the field against the country of his
birth, would be not feel his Utmost soul revolt at the
bare ideag Whether the bare sight of the flag of his
native country would not bring back upon his MEM
DRY every thought and feeling of bis childhood aud
his youth and whether be could steel his heart to the
task of carrying death and carnage into the midst of
those in whose ranks might pc chance be found the
playmates Of his childhood, the companions of his
i YOUTH nav perhaps a brother or q parentY Never