Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-03-18

by turning to the Debates of the last session
(Hale's Debates, P. l27), we find convincing proof
that such was also the intent of the Legislature
of 1856.
A very intelligent gentleman. whom do not
now see ia his seat Mr.. Pike Of Newton), moved
the insertion Of the amendment, ''nor to any per-
son who now has the right to vote;' saying he
had doubts about the right of the Legislature to
take away any present right of voting, and. at
any rate, he did not believe such action would be
just or wise The House concurred with him.
and adopted the amendment, l07 TO 4l--a much
larger relative vote than that by which the main
proposition was subsequently agreed to and this
amendment afterwards eOncurred in by the Sem
ate stands now part Of the proposition. 1t is,
therefore clear to my mind, that the neglect to
add to this amendment the words " or who is
now eligible to office, was mere omission-an
oversight, which it is our duty to repair, by now
inserting them, even if we postpane the final op-
Grafton Of the amendment for a single year.
But my own objections go deeper than mere
matter of omission, or mistakes in the saving
clause object to the whole principle of the
amendment In the first place, who have right
to vote and to be eligible 10 office. uuder the Con-
stituton? 1t is provided by Art. Sd Of the amend
ments, that every male citizen, 81 years old, hav-
ing resided within the Commonwealth one year.
and within the town six months, and having paid
any State OF county tax within two years, shall
have right to vote for Governor, Lieut.. Govern
or, Senators, and Representatives, and now, for
all other State officers whose election is provided
for by the Constitution. This rule is simple and
easy. The voter is required to be an inhabitant,
to show that he means to cast in his lot with us,
and become part aud parcel of the people, and to
pay tax, that he may have eyinced his readiness
and ability TO bear his proporlionate shar of the
expenses OF government. This amendment pro-
poses to introduce new test, qualification I'M
known to the fathers. 1t may be we'll to notice,
that there are other offices and duties under the
Constitution. which will be restricted by this
amendment, besides the general ones above al
luded to. Article II of Constitutional Amend
ments provides that the several religious societies
of the Commonwealth shall ever have the right
to elect their pastors or religious teachers, to
contract with them, &C." And all persons be-
longing to any religious society shall be taken
and held to be MEMBERS To these members
belongs, under the CONSTITUTIONS - "right to
vote for the purposes therein mentioned and,
to these voters, the proposed provision applies,
so that, to the humble aud unfortunate Christian,
as well to the illiterate African, this new test
may be applied.
Again, Art 9th of Constitutional Amendments
provides that the captains and subalteTns of the
militia shall be elected by the written votes of all
the members of their respective companies,
well those under, those above the age of q
years" Minors are required to be enrolled in the
militia, and to do military duty. They belong to
our volunteer companies. And, was furciby
urged in the convention of 1920 doing mill
ltary duty, and being as capable as older
persons of deciding whom they wish TO bear arms
under, and submit themselves to, the ordinary
presumption of want of discretion is waived,
to such minors. And it is not unreasonable to
suppose that, Of such, there may be some not ca
pable of complying with the acquisitions Of this
proposed article. Yet, as to sueh also lit applies.
Doubtless, these results. as 10 such persons, were
not anticipated by the trainers of this PROPOSE
ton. They intends to discriminate against the
ignorant voter at the polls; but constitutional
amendment should be finished, perfected, and
IT miuht sih1v ba at fba nd
ment might cut off the privilege of voting, or be-
ing eligible to minor offices, in corporations which
have vested rights under the Constitution by this
charter, but, upon this point [ do not care to
dwell.
Let us further proceed to inquire what classes
are to be cut off by this article, if adopted. Those
who cannot read and write What the causes
of such ignorance? In the first place, want of
early opportunities. Secondly, sluggishness of
intellect such sometimes find in youth,
which seems to incapacitate them from ever ac-
| quiring any knowledge from books. Aud, yet,
| such persons often develope in after life. They
often possess great intuitive sagacity, and knowl
edge of character, along with sterling good sense,
| and great executive talent. Many such men are
| to be found even now, among our manufacturers,
| railroad contractors, and the like. Every body
| knows such instances. Rev. DIR. LothrOp of BoS-
ton, stated, IN the Constitutional Convention of
| 1853, that he knew fourteen intel igent and clear
headed persons, in this city, who could not read
or write Doubtless, such men will strive to over
| come the disadvantages pressing upon them, by
| learning to read and write. But, sometimes
want of opportunity, pride, or shame, prevents
them Is it then right or just, 10 impose on
| erous restriction upon them, already writhng
under modification and regret? Is it not contra
! ry to the teachings of the golden rule, which
| should be the guide of political as we'll as per-
| sonal action Does not every instinct Of Justice
and charity rise and rebel against it Is it urged
that such persons do not know what ballots they
| deposit, however intelligent otherwise? But, can
1t be seriously believed that any such person votes
| against his intention through instruction Men
| act, politically, in classes and parties, and by
concert, giving and receiving ballots, lust as
| they do in other matters. If, on entering a ward
| room of my own city, should be encountered by
| my honorable colleague on my right, who, know.
\ ing my prediction for a particular candidate,
should tender me a vote for him, should have
any hesitation at deposting it, without any.crit-
| ical examination Besides, if such persons are
| ever deceived in this manner, it is their own
| loss, and not reason for driving them from the
| ballot-boX. These strong cases are mentioned,
| to show that it is withinAthe experience of all
that ignorance in these respects is not incompat-
ible with general good sense and intelligence If
1t is objected that such persons, who cannot read
| are unable to inform themselves properly as to
the issues involved in election, it may be re-
Piled, that, probably the largest part of our peo-
| pie inform themselves in much the same way.
Very few of our people read the Constitution, for
pleasure or profit, or even the newspapers. They
rely rather upon the ear than the eye, for inform
alton. But, doubtless, there is a class of men,
who cannot read and write, who are neither NOR
al nor intelligent, and it is urged that they vote
as they are bid. But this influence is not con-
fined to those who do not read and write. And
such, it may very well be said, ought not to be
excluded from the ballot-box, on the ground of
Ignorance to whom they vote for, for they are
very certain to vote they intend to. It is but
lew years since, in the course of the discussion
upon the secret ballot law, it was very grayely
urged, that scarcely any voter in the employment
of any other person. on whom his daily bread de-
pended, was a free man as regarded the casting of
his ballot
Is it intended, by this, to discriminate against
foreign voters. Immigration now brings better
class Of persons than formerly, like the iudustri-
GUS Germans who have more money and industry,
and are ordinarily tolerably intelligent Against
such, you egislate unjustly, by the requistion to
read the Constitution in the "Englsh language"
The German could not hope to do this for many
years, if not specially cultivated aud scholarly
And yet, the stupid Irishman may blunder thro
it, by his side. This is unjust and partial How
is the ignorant German or other foreigner, to
learn himself, at once to read and write. He has
no leisure. Every hour is employed in labor for
support. He has access, most likely, TO no school
or books. This, therefore, may operate as per-
petual Acknowledgement of a man. who for in
stance, could have fully perceived and felt the
Importance of the great struggle between liberty
and slavery, through which we have Just passed.
This amendment is, externally, fair and equal
towards all but am afraid it is supported BY
| feeling OF Yankee intellectual self complacency
we'll assured that it will more likely operate as
Acknowledgement of the alien born.