Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-10-31
From the Southern Literary Messenger.
The Right Of Suffrage to Subsequent
Immigrants.
CONTINUED

This is the position in which the cOonists were
placed when they cast off Allegiance to the mother
country They said, that since protection had
ceased, they were not bound to aid 10 supporting
the government which was crushing them, and,
that taxation, under such circumstances, was an
imposition to which they would not submit.
Where is the analogy between this Case and that
of "precuding the immigrant from the right of sui
frage?" The one is taxed 10 bear the expenses OF
a government which does not afford him protection;
the other to support one, to which be came to betr
ter his condition, and which ext ends to him full
rejection, both in his person aud mis- property.
The man, who places high in the balance the FAM
cied happiness of going to the ballobox to deposit
his vote for Jno Smith, in preference to Jno Jones'
against all the varied sources of enjoyment and
permanent good extended TO him by our govern"
ment and laws, may remain in his native land
But as taxation relates more particularly TO prop
erty, and representation to persons, how can the
foreigner claim to have his person represented be-
cause be is taxed for the privilege OF holding real
estate? England, France, and the other nations
of Europe, well as this government, declare,
that the right to hold real estate is a pTiUiLeg'
granted to the foreigner.
But they are represented indirectly: and can
they claim more direct representation than is al
lowed to a part of the native citZenei Congress
egislates for the district of Columbia, yet the
citzr rs OF the district have the power TO say
who shall be their representatives. nor have they
a voice in the election of President The estates
Of widows and minors are taxed;-yet they have no
vote.
When the government extends the privilege Of
suffrage to the immigrant il tramples the rights
OF the citizens Of IN, District and of all others who
might claim il, if il was necessarily connected with
taxation.
Those who advocate the position, tina, taxation
aud representation should go hand in hand, run, at
once into the absurdity Of universal suffrage They
would grant the privilege OF the elective franchise
to all who pay, even the pittsnce OF few cent? to
the government They would grant it, irrespec-
lively, to the aged aud the muor to white and TO
black; to the vicious and the good; aud to the pau
per and the criminal
The constitutions and laws of the several States,
which compose this union we're framed by the
wsest men Of the country, and has ed on equal
" and justice. In many Of the States, the native,
who has passed the age Of twenty one years. is re-
| fused the right Of suffrage, because he does not
possess freehold; and in all OF them, there are
certain restrictions this privilege. If then, the
government Is ut liberty 10 Deprive native, &C
count OF some riHng qualification, Of that which is
his birthTight, Jortior t is at liberty 10 refuse
| this right TO a foreigner, TO whom il IL under no
obligations. The fact, that the native quietly per-
| miis this right 10 be abridged 10 his own case,
! shows that il is allenable.
The next sverment, and which has been alluded
to ALREADY, is that il would be UngenerOas 20 deny
this privilege to 'lhe Immigrant" that this govern
ment owes its very existence TO. and that, in the
late war, il received material assistance from, for
eiguers; but now, when all the advantage which
| ever could be derived has been obtained, Il would
refuse them a privilege which they bare hitherto
/ been allowed
This plea, on the score Of generosity, is scarce
" worthy serious reply Has not every iadivi-
dual ~ho excluded 70 the country helping hand,
been honored ard exalted GO all the privileges Of
the native citizens irrespective Of the motive Sbic
brought him here, whether friendship for Us, or BIZ
own sggrandzemenSi The consultation Of these
States declares that 81 those who within their
boundaries, and aided in securing liberty 10 the
land are eligible TO the highest Office 10 tbe gift o
| free people. their children have become CITIZENS
by birthrighp aud those Who extended assistance
to the eonntFy since that lime have had the power
20 become citizens under the EXISTING laws.
A favor was ones received from the hands o.
foreigners, and political pFiviledge was granted
them in return; bus is there any ressou in The Dc.
maud; that the same privilege should be extended
20 the friends, relatives aud ceanIry mea OF Ihess
foreigners, even to the lates, gen, FAiioul
Before leaving this part Of the sahiect, some res
pecs shosld be shown 20 the ahega,loa that the re
lasal OF shs right Of suffrage 70 foselgners i con.
,rary 10 the spirit Tree institutions The posilog
10 Assumed, thar the basis Of tas repabe u 'eqasl
iIy Of rights.' and the eoneaasion 8 drAwn
that the proposed restrietIoa woald create bod
possessed Of iewer privileges shan the rest d Ih'
nation, and 10 tbs manner run counter 20 The sPs
Of fIes institutions.
The hypothesis. that sbs sei under diseussios
weald create any distraction Of psrsons IN she gev
ernmsht which does not already exist, Is false. 4
hoe Of d. msrkasion dfaHn betseen shs iorelkn
sr and tbs native By the toandsrs Of Ire Americas