True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-12-30
AmArieanism.

not the most responsible prerogaISe Of a
freeman. i is the exercise of sovereign
power, and is the foundation on which
our institutions are based: Upon its pu-
rity depends, to great extent, the very
existence ofour government. Every Cit
izen whether native or naiuraFzed. what
ever may be bis political afinities is en-.
titled to demand the preservation Of this
iuestimable right. 20! only in its exercise
by himself without molestation, but by the
adoption Of all legal means effectually to
prevent frauds or illegal, voting. il is a
subject that rises far above every party
consideration, and is inseparably connect
ed with the very vitality Of liberty. One
party may achieve triumph to-day and
another tomorrow, through its corrupt
instrumentality, but no matter by which
achieved, il will be triumph oyer the
PROSTATE form of freedom. Any and eve
ry attempt to sully the purity Of the elec-
tive franchise, whether by violence or
fraud, deserves the condeWnatioH end
reprobslion of the patriots Of every party.
Illegal voting, whether founded on PERU
ry or forgery, on false Or loaned cer'ifCa'
tes Of naturalization, or Qp the temporary
removal into an election district without
any intention Of ? permanent residence,
can have no other effect than to corrupt
the very fountain Of Legitimate power by
oyerruling the honest expression Of the
popular will. In all such cases it is the
false and fraudulentand j Illegal votes which
under the desecrated forms Of The law,
are taken in lieu Of The calm and dispas-
sionate voice Of the people. Knowing as
all must do, that Europe has been pour:
ing her paupers and criminals upon Us in
lmost countless numbers, il is not sur
prising that fraud and illegal voting haye
kept pace with the means of its perpetra
tion. The shameless Plaquemine fraud
in Louisiana was but the commencement
of system which has been kept UP to a
greater or less extent, eyer since. 1t is a
solemn duty which we owe our common
country, TO guard against this growing
evil, which in my judgment threatens the
perpeluity of our free institutions.
The ignorant foreigner who comes
among us without being able to speak a
word of our language, who has never read
our constitution, and can have no idea Of
our complex form of government, isunft
to be trusted, within The short probation
ary period fixed by law, with the sacred
privilege of the ballot which is to exercise
controlling influence over the destiny Of
free people, know there are intelli'
gent, virtuous and patriotic foreigners
among us-nalnralized citizens who rev.
erence the law, and are sincerely attached
to our form of government. But when it
is recollected that it has never been pro-
posed to interfere, in any manner, with
existing rights; that those now entitled to
The exercise of the elective franchise, by
the very fact of having i, bestowed upon
them, have become American citizens,
fully and indefeasibly entitled 10 whatev-
er the constitution and laws have confer
red upon them, not only our interest but
theirs also demand the adoption of a pol
icy which is 10 effect the incoming
race only, and which is believed 10 be
necessary to preserve, in their purity, the
institutions of our country. 1t seems
strange that all who are in the habit Of
referring to the lessons Of wisdom taught
by the. father Of The Republic, who have
listened to the teachings Of history; or
who are willing to take warning BY the
experience Of The present, do not unite 10
correct This great and threatening evil
1t would be The first great'slep taken TO-
wards purifying the ballot:box by cutting
off one vast source ofCorruption and fraud.
Its necessity is inc ulca'ed by the teach
ings of those wise patriots who construct
ed the frame work of our government, and
who, at a time when immigration to our
shores was but FIVE thousand year, with
a patriotic Jealousy of those born and rear
ed under kingly governments wisely or
dained, by fundamental law, that the
chief executive officer of our government
should be selected from. those WHO were
then cilizens or Who should thereafter be
born within the Dnited States. Were
those patriots now 10 reconstruct their
work, with our annual immigration swol'
len to nearly 55O.QOO souls, it is not too
much to say that the constitutional safe
guard, as to birth, would be extended in
modified form 70 every voter whose
voice could be instrumental in the election
Of a natiye.born executive.
These views may. for a season, come
under the ban Of party prescription,
bpt | have the consciousness that they
are sincerely and honestly entertained.
and with ain abiding faith in o righteous