The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-14
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would not consider matter Of grave consequence
him and so IL is to the country.
We have very large element Of this character de-
scrPtioo In the country II is not the number of
stens that in Minnesota IL is not them alone TO serve
whom by giving this right of suffrage would be eonsd-
cred sufficient expedency. No, sir Many gentlemen
here-not slare in position to feel the power and in
uence Of that alien element which exists in our country
Such is Its cohesive power already that one might well
have apprehensions apprehepsons could govern MIN
that giving offence these aliens in Minnesota might be
resented and revenged only by the aliens OF the States
which they represent but BY even the naturahed oil
own country who have votes and who have power But
here tho question is simply, the side, as II strikes
meAmerican right American suffrage and on the other
side, the suffrage Of aliens
BAYARD placed this subject in clear light think
could be placed. Would you you could confer on
them the right Of suffrage in such NATTER think not
Mr. President think you would recol from giving them
the right TO establish the institutions of Of the States
of your Union or to cooperate in establishing them Is
an American work let il be done by American hspds.
We all to be influenced such is connexion with it,
all 70 be affected by whatever good whatever bad
in the local institutions of each State More or less we
feel it's influence We have right therefore, TO inquire
into this subject We interested parties and the whole
people of the United States interested in this
We are deprivng aliens of no right whatever. What
previous law of the United States gave them the pow
for delegates to convention to form consttu
ton and State None that knew Of or have
heard Of You gave them right to vote, which would
not have DONE which the Senate would not have done ex
cept that they acted under necessity which has law
but upon plain fair vote this question has been
put to the Senate Of the United States when the majority
did not decide against comforting the right on aliens de
may be alien enemy the time he is voting with
your ctxen standing side by side at your balotbox
ting for American laws His country would not hold
him guess if he joined in defending yours He is no
citizen of yours. He does not belong your household
He owes allegiance to this government except mere
temporary one, which may be thrown off in an hour
Mr. President desired rather to make my earnest clear
and distinct hostility to this known than to oc-
cHpy the Senate this hour with any extended remarks
on this subject am opposed to it upon considers
uOfn cnla and polie VIpnn
that is due to my countymen to the security OF their
law and their rights vote against this alien admixture
this country does belong to the people OF the United
States and hold those people of the United States
who have been nauralzed and become citizens just eff
fectually do those who by nativity citizens They
are citizens and are equally bound to the constitution
am, and bound by it as am. speaking of aliens
those who have had it in their power and have not chosen
to become citizens of the United States.
hope reconsideration will be granted of the amend
ment which is the subject of debate We adopted it
deliberately, and what is this singular proceeding Upon
solemn of the Senate there is considerable
jority in favor of the amendment but gentleman
in and repeats to-day 81 voted for the amendment merely
to obtain the privilege at future day Of moving recon-
Mr.. HALE. Does the honorable senator mean to say
there Is ytbing unfair in that?
Mr.. CRlTTENDEN. bave not said so (; am repeat
Ing the fact but now, II the gentleman wants opinion
will say do not think it is fair parliamentary.
think that if gentleman is willing fair considera
tons, he may retain his vote and he may have ample
voted for the purpose not expressing sentiment but
acquiring privilege" which only belongs to those who
bona fd understand and in sincerity, express their
opinions In their votes lie voted for the amendment
merely for the purpose of acquiring this right That
say does not appear in the language of the question: to be
far or do not SO suppose but after de-
laying that as long he could and after two three
days 1t 1t is expected that sufficient changes have
occurred in the Senate when the gentleman forward
with MS reserved right OF moving tor reconsideration TO
reverse the decision of the Senate. | make comment
on all this. only cay that il is singular proceeding
take altogether and still singular shall consider it
If upon the vote taken upon the reconsideration Of the first
amendment it shall be found that tho amendment adopted
three days now this day rpudated by the men who
voted for 1t then.
what long legislative life that had my conduct i'm
pugned as wanting in fairness obedience parliament
tary law and there is certainly in the Senate
in the Congress of the United States from whom reproof
of that kind could fall with weight than from the
honorable senator from Kentucky. But sir, maintain
Notwithstanding his authority, and Notwithstanding his
censure-and appeal to the judgment of the Senate
appeal to the CharI appeal every who hears
that the course took perfectly fair one perfectly
parliamentary one and the course that is usually adopted
when member wishes TO avail himself Of the privilege Of
voting with the majority giving notice at the time that he
means to move reconsideration myself in my limited
experience have known gentlemen to ask member 50 to
vote, for the very purpose of acquiring that right BE-
eve that Is an undoubted right parliamentary right
and strictly parliamentary right The honorable
ator has let his feelings away with his judgment;
for he could have the Senate SO many years as
he has beenand believe he dates back nearly forty
years since he first here-and have yet to learn
that the course have taken be successfully vind
Gated against rghful censure from any and from
any quarter.
Sir do not feel Indifferent censure coming from such
source, but appeal to every who hears mel APP
peal to every who knows anything about
airy proceedingsf tie course have taken not only
parliamentary and proper but required of by the high
est sense of duty III that motion to be carried
and thought that mature and deliberate consideration
hereafter to be bestowed it would induce the Senate to
retrace the step 1t was my duty as understand it, here
in the discharge of obligations which rest upon
SENATOR to seize upon that parliamentary and consu-
donal safeguard which the laws of the Senate vouchsa TO
me for the purpose calling the Senate back to that
sderati0n to which, under the constitution and laws it
was my duty to call the Senate
Sir, foe-l knowihat cannot appeal to personal,
POLITICAL or friendly sympathes bere but appeal to every
honest and honorable and that includes every
man in the Senate If there thing in the which
have pursued that merits the the reproach Of
the honorable senator from kentucky anybody else
am free to admit that there is with whom il has
ever been my lot to become acquainted from whom could
receive such reproof from whom 1t would fall with more
weight than from the senator from Kentucky am will
ling TO admit that but know sir, because believe in
the camnes of his reflection he is only honest hon.
orable and upright but kind,) that hereafter call
here avowed, and that he will not sure he will not
persist in visiting 30 humble individual as am with
the weight of censure, coming from such character as
he is.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN. Perhaps did express myself lit
tie too hastily 1t not my purpose intention to say
y in that did not intend unkiudness but to state that
this matter had taken singular course when the gentle
man propounded the inquiry to i'll considered it unfair
may be very wrong about It, but considered IL unpar
lamentary. may be wrong in that opinion There may
be reasons, perhaps which would justify it. II hap
IL 80 IL q r. .tl.