Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-11
Foreiyu Influences in the American Senate.

Sldlc hlll, 10
,yes and arouse the attention OF those WHO nave
been most incredulous in regard to the operation
Of foreign influence upon the legislation oi 'iie
country. Although the people OF this country
in their enlarged lberality, may be disposed 10
grant to the naturalized citizen all the privileges
and immunities enioyed by the native American
surely thev are not so insane in their love for
the foreigner rs to sanction au act OF congress
allowing unnaturalized adventures to vote IN
the creation of a State of this Union, upon
mere declaration of their intention to become
citizens. Hitherto we have been accustomed TO
look to the Senate" in times Of danger to our
political institutions as the great bulwark against
which the most threatening surges might dash
in vain; but we must confess our fears tllat even
that august tribunal is gradually yielding TO the
.insidious wiles of foreign influence" The SIN
sular and as yet unexplained course OF the oen-
ate in regard to the Minnesota bill-one day pro-
hibiting aliens from voting in the formation Vi
the State. and the next day reversing its decls-
ion and granting them the privliege-thus pa
cinc the Irishnan or Dutchlnan or Chinese who
has but placed his foot upon American SOIL upon
the same level with native born and naturalzed
citizens-such course, we say, on the part OF
the American Senate, is calculated to shake our
confidence in Che integrity of that body, and ex-
cite the apprehension of every thoughtful patriot
of whatever political party. We are gratilled TO
notice that it did have this effect upon some
prominent members of the Democratic party,
and elected from them most earnest, eloquent
and impressive protestations. During the de-
bate Mr.. Bayard of Delaware, Democrat, was
most emphatic in his condemnation of the pro-
vision of the bill which allowed aliens to vote,
which he denounced as a side blow to break
down the five years Naturalization Law, and
asked gentlemen why they did not propose al
once to repeal the Naturalization Law, and give
man the rights of citizenship at the end OF
year. Senator Brown, Of Mississippi, another
distinguished Democrat, was indignant in hi;
protestatons, and we exceedingly regret our In
ability to lay before our readers the whole OF hi'
manly, fearless and patriotic speech. Mr.. Brown
expressed his entire willingness to permit natu
rallied foreigners to vote, but had mo idea o
putting his ballot in the box, and the next min
ute see u fellow come up and kill it, who is the
mere instrument of some political trickster, with
out knowing what he is doing" Referring t
the action of the Senate he continued
Deliberately and without excuse the judgmenI
! of the Senate has been reversed. why, IL woui'
not be decorous towards this august body to say
but let me warn Senators that, IN my feeble
Judgment, if foreign Influence tahes possession
| the American Senate, the american people wat
rise ND and re6uke it, 1t may take possession
other departments of the Government but th'
American Senate has been regarded IN the couh
try as the citadel of American hberty-as th'
bulwark that was to stand for the protection o
American rights. If this body gives way unde
this sort of pressure, tell you the American
people will take this matter in hand, and thel
will set it right. What has occurred within the
last forty-eight hours to produce this wondrou
change in the American Senatef How does j
come that proposition carried two days ago oI
respectable majority, is reversed to-day Dy
vote of two to one!
| L protest llOSJ SOlellulJ aSaihoV ms PtNSNSN
ing; because 1t aciU make .fre hundred thousand
| K1o,o Nothing rotes IN the Union, and all III
| eloquence of tie Senate cannot precent 1t. When
ever the Senate is induced to reverse its judg
ment, formed calmly and deliberately, and after
| full discussion, on account of foreign influence
the last citadel of liberty in America has giver
way. If had the eloquence of the most gifted
orator who ever spoke, | would employ it to-day
against the doing of this act. If could addres:
my Democratic friends in an appeal that could
reach their hearts, | would appeal to them IL
that eloquent voice to abstain from doing this
act. Do 1t, and goa aoiU shake the Democratic
party to ats cery t6uadatiOn. Let ii be Once an
| derstoOd that foreign influence can aagade TIL
| Americqn Senate, and in .forty-eight hours re
rerse judgment deliberately gieen, and the cOn
1ideRce Of the An'erican people soiU DO shaken al
| the f1mness OF that great party.
have witnessed nowhere anything which
struck me with more amazement than the ex-
hibiton we have had to-day in the Senate
Where shall the American mind rest for secur-
ity, to what point shall it turn for safety, if the
judgement of the Senate is to be thus suddenly
changed on great question which more than
twice-ay, more than five times has undergone
discussion here, and am bound to say,h has gen.
orally resulted, as it is likely to result now, in
giving way to foreign influence.
In my feeble way, as an humble Democrat
as one of the humblest of American citizens,
have defended foreigners | have defended their
rights under the Constitution | have defended
their right to vote, under proper circumstances
but, sir, as God is my righteous judge, if this
proceeding is to go on-if rights are to be given
in violation of the deliberate judgement of the
American Senate, can raise my voice no long
err. 1t is not the judgement of the Senate that
this should be done. say so, because, only two
days ago, after calm and dispassionate consider
alton of the question, you determined otherwise
Influences, am bound to say, to which | am
not subiected-and | pretend to be no more
honest or patriotic or upright than other men
but it so turns out that, on this particular point
seem to be q little tirmer than other men
some sort of influence has been introduced here
which has changed the whole current of the
Senate.
Mr.. Brown did not know whether the Senate
was more under the influence of foreigners than
Black Republication, but it was certainly under
some sort of influence which caused it to change
its opinion very suddenly.
Such statements in regard to the Senate of the
United States sound strangely in our ears, and
will have powerful effect upon the minds o.
the people. 1t ought to fall upon the country
like fire bell in the night" and awaken the
native born citizens to true sense of the alarm
ing strides foreign influence is making toward.
a full possession of the government 1t is mat
ter for congratulation, however, that there ar,
men in the Democratic marty whose natriot;er
rises high above party considerations; who witt
Senator Brown, have the manlness to declare
n have steadily and consistently, without varia
ton or shadow of change, stood up agains
this whole proceeding and with the blessing o
God mean to stand up against it to the end,-