The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-22

their constitutions and he infes from this that the fra
mers OF these constitutions believed they did not pos
sess the power OF inserting such clause. This is IN
deed most extraordinary Inference Surely sir, the
absence OF such clause in those constitutions proves
nothing than that their trainers deemed it mex
pedlent to insert it. Since however authority is de
sired upon this question to so plain as to admit Of
no dispute let us examine authorities and see to which
side they lend their weight. Among the States which
have adopted the so called odious restriction in their
constitution is the State of Virginia In the year 1880
convention was called to alter, amend, remodel
the constitution as to them should seem fit. That
vention sir, numbered among its members of the
ablest men ever known in this Union Mr. Monroe
who served as president Of the United States for two
| terms, then presided over that body Mr.. Madison
who had also been president of the United States for
the same period of time, who moreover had hand in
the making Of the first constitution of Virginia and
also IN the making of the sacred instrument, (Which
we accused of rendering nugatorv } the con-
stltuton of the United States; and Mr. Marshall who
so long and ably filled the office of chief justice Of
the United States, were members of that body.
In that constitution, made by the aid and advice
of these men, it provided that person should
be governor of Virginia unless he waslst, thirty years
of age, Cd native born citizen of the e. States
at the adoption of the constitutions 3d. that he must
have resided five years in the State before eligible.
ld, sir, to be told that such men Madison,
one of the trainers of the constitution of the United
States hmseH-Monroe, who had for years been ad-
mnisterng the laws under that constitution presl
dent of the United States-and Marshall who for up
wards of thirty years had presided on the supreme
bench, did not understand the constitution Of their
country, and that they engrafted unconstitutional
provision in the constitution of Virginia? Are we to
be told that such men, full of experience of vast and
protund learning, men as pure as lived in this
country, whose name and fame are without spot or
bemsl-are we again ask to be told that they voted
for the insertion of clause in the constitution of their
own beloved State which the honorable delegate from
New Orleans represents, pable violation of the
constitution of the United States? Between such
thorty and the authority of the be gentleman
much value it on other occasions, Icannot pause
and if | err, I can only say | glad to in such
company. And even hadmy impressions been differ
ent from what they are, should with such authority
before me, have questioned my own Judgment and
yielded my own opinions But we do not rely au-
thority alone We have We think, evidence ola more
lJmposing and more important character yet to offer
It is the action of the congress of the United States
this very question:. Several of the States who have
engrafted the so-caled odous provision in their
eral constitutions, viz: the States Of Arkansas Mis-
souri, and Alabama, We're notmembers of the old con-
federation ofthirteen States They into the Union
long after. Each of these States was compelled
to submit its constitution to the congress of the United
States that the same be by them examined to see that
clause provision inserted therein that should
clash with any Of the provisions CT the constitution of
the United States. Now what we do Why,
that congress has sanctioned these several constitu-
tions and admitted the States named into the Union
with this terribly odious provision in them. Shall
say sir thatthrce the senators and representatives
of the whole country, the presidents of the United
States have, obstinatay, maintained unconstitu-
tional right to be constitutional one? Shall say
that they have thrice been the dupes of their
noance, and the enemies of the constitutional rights
of their countrymen? One would be almost tempt
ed to smile at the idea, this not serious a
question.
In word then n, assert that our power to insert
the clause disputed is not doubtful question: that
have the power to do constutionally and the ony
question we have to decide is, is it expedient fol
us to do so? My impression is, that we should
unhesitatingly insert it, if we study interests.
When first proposed to the committee to insert it in
the section it natural that prompted me
to believe that it was necessary. Since then have
given the subject calm and serious deberation and
have daily, nay hourly, become and more
vnced of the necessity and propriey of the
Sir have listened with delight to the eloquent eulogy
pronounced by the delegate from New Orleans the
brave men who lent lis their aid in lSl5-on Savarv
st. Genes, and their associates-I have witnessed in
imagination the memorable so graphically and
eloqusntly described by the honorable gentleman from
Rapldes, Mr. Brent, and have felt my heart glow
with feelings of gratitude towards the brave and gen
men, who, amidst the smoke and carnage of bat
te breasted the British bayonets, and side by side
with American citizens peried their lives in our coun-
trys csuse-honorandg gratitude to them all and will
yield to no man in expressing all occasions and in
suitable manner the Acknowledgements that are due to
their eminent services. EI-s. ,.5 ..-. * ss.r- q
But, sir, let us not allow our feelings to obtain the
mastery over our judgment. Those brave men We're
the of France, and the enemy the hereditary
toe OF France Sir, does the gentleman can any man
believe that if ournvaders had been French these gal
liant men would have gone to battle against their
trymen? Sir, they would have recoied with horror at
the forethought with the same instructive adherence
as if called to ste the check the mother that
them How then, SIR can we place as the commander
nchief of our armies individual who in the event
of with the country Of his birth, would be expos
ed to this conflict OF duties and feelings The honor
able gentleman tells that in event like this gal
liant spirit, sitting all the love of country of our natal
SOIL that the creator has implanted in the breast of
every would take for his motto, ais que dos,
advienne que pouna' Sir, this may sound very finely
In theory but every feeling of nature would recol
from its practice. call the gentleman to point out
to the man, nay sir ask fhe himself, and surely
there is none whose emnence citizen would render
him more worthy of SO exalted station, ask if he
himself, commander of our armies, were called to
lead forces into the field against the country of his
BIRTH would he not feel his inmost soul revolt at the
bare idea? Whether the bare sight of the flag Of his
native country would not bring back upon his memory
every thought and feeling of his childhood and his
YOUTH and whether he could steel his heart to the task
OF carrying death and carnage into the midst of those
in whose rarks might, perchance be found the play
mates OF his childhood the companions Of his youth,
nay perhaps brother parent? Never, sir, never
could he doit 1tis duty then sir, making this
organic law provide in such manner as to- render
it impossible, in any contingency, for chief
tlate to be placed such position The necessity is
too apparent to admit of doubt.
But, sir, the gentleman tells us that if this clause
to affect the naturlsed cititzens alone, he might
yield his opposition. He however, sees in it re
stricton the citizens at large in crcumscribng the
circle from which they to choose their chief mags
trate. This may be, sir, and all that we answer
is, that the necessities of the make the restrictive
espedient and therefore it is that support it. We
are accused Of usuping conded to Us BY the
people, and inserting clauses on which they have not
expressed an opinion. To this reply, that it was
impossible hatsvery question that might arise in the
performance Of duties could be foreseen udg
ed by the people; and T. for one, Understand that by
the mandate with which they have honored me, | am
authorised to the best judgment and discretion in
my power in acting and voting as to me shall seem
best adapted to their happiness and prosperity
all questions that shall arise the course four de-
Liberation. f. ". .{8 39 sasitEza1 agL aaG& hs9a9 sH
Once again, sin let not the feelings which dictated
the proposa of this measure be misunderstood. Let
it not be said that it an attack directed against the
natufalised citizen Heisreceived with open into
the country. Every to fortune which eupidity
could desire every path to office which the most un
bounded ambition aspire, all are open to him. Is
it too much to ask that there should be small spot
reserved sacred for the native of the soil7 that the
H.; fbaG Of Of toI