Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-03-23

der the above caption, containing extracts
from the debates ia the Q. 8. Senate. upon the
subject. We commend this ariAIe to thepe-
rusal and careful consideration of our readers.
1t will be recollected the question was first
presented to the Senate in 1864, when the
kansas-Nebraska bill was before that body,
BY a. amendment proposed, if we.recollect
Alright, by Mr.. Adams, the American member
from Mississippi The Senate adopted the
amendment without serious opposition. The
Bill was then sent back to the House, butthers
the amendment was non-concurred 10; and IN
order to effect the passage of the bill, as it was
alleged, the Senate receded from the amend
ment; and thus the deliberate judgment OF
the Senate was counieryailed The question
has not been lost sight Of from that time; but
on the 2lst February ult., the question as ap-
plicable to the bill authorizing the people of
Minnesota to form State Constitution prepar-
atory to her admission as State of the Union,
was again brought up by an amendment pro-
posed by Mr.. Biggs, democratic Senator from
North Carolina. Hereupon some debate en-
sued, and the question being taken the amend
ment was sustained by vote of &c to "A; and
the bill was passed. On the oath February,
however, Mr. Hale, the distinguished abolition
ist from New Hampshire, moved reconsider
alton of the Minnesota State bill; and the bill
having been reconsidered, the question again
came up on the amendment of Mr.. Biggs, re-
stricting the right of voting to ''ctizens of the
United States" At this juncture the debate
from which we quote, was had and upon a
final vote on the 25th, the amendment of Mr..
Biggs was lost by vote Of 81 to "a; Cas- and
SEWARD, DOUGLASS and HALE arguing and
voting together in the negative. Mr.. TooMBs,
also, of Georgia, being in the same category.
1t is but just to add, that all the Southern dem
ocratic Senators except Mr.. Toombs Yulee, of
Florida, Green of No., and Messrs. johnson and
Sebastian, of Ark, took the true American po-
sition upon this question. We have been thus
minute, in order that our readers may be fully
aware of the more recent and exciting history
of this question.
| We wish our readers TO understand likewise
the precise meaning and extent of this 'ques-
ton of Alien Suffrage, as applicable to the ter
rilories of the United States. II is that every
inhabitant of the country shall have the right
to vote for delegates to form a constitution
preparatory to admission as State. As a le-
gal proposition, it will be seen by reference to
the debate, very able lawyer, Mr.. Bayard, Of
Delaware, democrat, demonstrated against
its passage on the ground of its unconstitution-
atty. Mr.. Brown, of Mississippi, is eloquent
in his denunciatioDs of this feature of the bill.
In his fervid, but just aud manly protest, be
shows how the power of the foreign influence
in this country is making its attacks upon the
consistency and integrity Of the American Sen
ate to what fearful extent that grave body
celebrated alike for its conservatism and it:
wisdom, is moved and swayed by the ignoblt
outside pressure of Foreignsrn. But two days
after decided vote against this right of alien:
TO exercise the privileges of voting elapsed
until the same body, the identical individuals
responding to the same rOl-call, by ETH
more decided vote, reversed and annulled &
deliberate expression of opinion, made aud re-
corded while dischargiDg the functions o.
Statesmen and Legislators. Mr.. Brown is earn
est in his depreciation of this state of affairs
brought about by such cause; and well does
he estimate the patriotism of the people %
these States when he says: I'll foreign'infu
ence takes possession Of the American Senate
the American people win rise up and rebuk'
it." The people have been warned, time sn(
again, that these things which We are record
ing, would occur; but the warning has beer
despised, the sdrnonition spurned; and the idei
of evils acoruing to this government from for
sign influence secuted; and those who enter
tanned those ideas denounced as ''fit for trea
sOns, stratagems and spoils."
II is as clear as the sun at noon tide, that
thi. right Of alien suffrage, which il inits trut
and essence, alien sovereignty, is to become tn
settled policy Of the government, that th
South has nothing more to hope for 10 the fu
ture expansion of our common country. Their
will be no occasion for Missouri Compromis
lines, or Wilmot Proyisos, -Comprom!ses q
every sort would be impracticsble. The mat
ter would be arbitrated by foreign, unin
formed, irresponsible power, in whose ohoic
the South can have no part or voice ; aud frou
whose decision she would have no appeal bu
! to Revolution.
And, yet, this is the policy now being FIX
ed and riveted upon the country By the Blac
+ Republicans of the North, aided-it may b
said led on-by the President, Premier aud tn
Little Giant. Aud yet, also, all these are SUI
ported BY the Syuth, con6ded in, applaudeC
; elevated to the highest places of power, an
looked to BY the coniding masses for Wind
: cation of the rights of the South and the salv'
! ton of the Union