Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-03-27
Arc lllaCksClSiHcmA:

Are DsIack Ne CtsizrmA:
This question has been often dccl-
ded in the State Courts in the differ
ent States, but never in the Supreme
Court until the late decision in til,
bred Scott case. But to show oul
neighbor OF the Gazette that the Su
presne Court WAS not the first tribunal
that decided this question we will in
form our neighbor, that that most Il $
tinguished and eminent man Chief
Justice Daggett in the 10th of Con-
necticut Reports, in 1884 decided tie
same question.-We quote from the
opinion Of Judge Daggc,t IA. follows:
The persons contemplated in thi.
act are not citizens, within the mean
ing ofthat section Of the conftltntio
Of the United States, which | have jus,
read. Let me begin, by putting TIL,
PLAIN question.
Are SLAVES c;ti=enst At the adoption
Of the constitution Of the United States,
every State was a slave State. Mas
saehusettshad begun the work of elnan
cipation within her own borders
And Connecticut, as early rs 1884, had
also enacted laws making all those fire,
1t the age Of 25, who might be born
within the State. after that time. w,
oil know, that slavery is recognized il
that constitution; and it is the duty o
this court TO take that constitution a,
il il, for We have sworn to support it.
Although the term slavery cannot b,
found written out in the constilu .ion.
yet no one can mistake the object o
the Sd section Of the 4th article. Ne
penon held to service or labor in on,
State, under the laws thereof. escaping
int3 anothor, shall, in consequence -
any Law or regulation therein. be dis
charged from such service or labor, bu,
sh, II be delivered up on clalm of IT,,
party 10 whom such service or abol
may be- due"
"Thc I'd section OF the Isl article
reads rs follows: Representatives and
direct taxes, shall be appor,ioncd
among the several States which ma,
be included in this Union, according t,
their respective numbers, which shall
be determined bv adding to the Who'll.
number Of free persons, including
those bound TO service for term
yea,. and excluding Indtans not tax
ed, three. fifths OF oil other persons.-
The 'other persons are slaves, aud the,
become the basis Of representation. b,
adding them 10 the white population
in that proportion. Then slaves were
not considered citizens by the Trainer.
Of the Constitution.
"A citizen means a fireman. By
referring to Dr.. Webster, one Of the
most learned men of this or any coun
try. We have the following definition OF
the term;- Citizen; l. \ native of a
city, or ~ inhabi,ant who enjoys the
privilege Of the city in which he re.
sides. 9. A towusman, q man OF
trade, not gentleman. 3. An inhab
liant; dweller in any city, town or
country. Z. In the Vnie,ed S,otes,it
nsaas . person, native or naturaIized,
Who has the privilege Of exercising
the elective franchise, and of purchas
ing and holding real estate,
"Ars Indians eitizensS" 1t ia admit.
ted In the argument, that they are not;
Tut Il 10 said, they belong to distinc,
tribsa This cannot be true; because
I'll kadiaHs do not belong to n tribe
1t may b now added. that hy the de
clarsd Law Of Nsw. York, lmd;aas are
not citissns; and the learned Chancel-
ioe Aeat, says they can never be made
sitissna.' 1sd;ans were literally ia
tives Of the soil; they were born here;
and yet they are not citizens.
The Aokegans were once mighty
tribe. powerful aud valiant; and who
among 10 ever saw one Of them per.
forming military duty, or exercising,
with the white men, the privilege OF
the elective franchise, or holding an Of
6cel Aud what 10 the reasons an.
swss, they are not citizens according to
the accsptation Of the term in the Uni.
ted States.
"Ars ftss Naeks citizens II has
bssn ingsniously said, TINT vessels NAV
b owed and navigated. by free
blackA and the American Hag will pro
tsct tAesu; but you will remember. tina,
The statute which makes that provision
b - oct Of CongrssA and not tn.
Constitution. Admit, IL You please
that NJ. Cxfss,a respectable merchant,
hes owaed vssselA and sailed them
under he Asasriosn dag; yet this doe.
aes peoss him - b. such = citizen rs
The Constitution contcmplstes. I.u,
saas question stands undecided, by
any legal tribunal. within my kuowi.
edes. For The purposes Of this case,
Il , aos asessaaEy 70 determine ths,
question.
= Aas beea also urged that a. col.
eee6 pessoas may commit treason,
lAsy mast y considered citizens. Ey
~ pssaoa bora In the United States.
asveN - every Pssaoa who may 10.
~ hses, .wss allegiance. Of come
essA ~ Ne esvsssmsat because the
nsssesusas q. sds HIN protsstieu.
Slca1e4 lolaal ~ nssesiae~t con
&9ls'yae w ataAIs NJ tsssss-