Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1857-08-28

COL. RWIN,s SPEECH.

We noticed editorially the speech of
Col. IRWIN, of Ky, delivered before the
Union County Convention held at this
place few weeks since 1t gives us
pleasure to be able to give below the
speech entire. 1t will well repay pc
rusal.
Gentlemen: If I were to consult my
modesty, Tor which / think | have a fair
reputation, ] should decline to address
you upon this occasion; but the fatter-
ing manner with which you have greeted
me, and the hearty welcome extended to
me by friends in Rockville, will excuse
me for occupying your time, which. l
promise in the beginning, shall only be
for few minutes.
] am gratiied at the unanimity with
which the democrats of Montgomery
have been able to select their standard
bearers in the coming contest, and al
though | have no personal acquaintance
either with those who have been selected
or with those who have failed to secure
nominations, yet | am convinced that
now the selections have been made, that
the democrats of the county Of Montgo-
merry will present an unbroken front,
which is all that is wanting to secure a
triumphant victory.
Gentlemen. we live in most evcntful
period in the history of the country !;
nothing which has been written in refer
ence to the condition Of mankind in any
age, or in any country, would seem suf-
ficient to furnish rules for our govern
ment and our wants, hence it becomes
us to watch with the most jealous solicit
tudc ali the issues and oil the antagon-
isms which would seem to initiate against
individual happiness, the rights Of the
States, and the glorious union Of the
States, question in my opinion para
mount to all others.
Within the past few years questions of
vast Importance have arisen, threatening
the integrity Of the Union itself, and |
might state that in some localities, both
North and South, they have not been
discussed with that calmness which due
consideration of their Importance would
seem to demand, nor with that accuracy
for which the American people are apt
to bcstow upon political questions, so
vitality affecting their interest and their
happiness.
These questions grow out of the views
entertained by the republican party in
the North in reference to the power of
Congress over the question Of slavery in
the Territories Of the United States, and
certain opinions of the American party
the acknowledgement the extern.
sion of the naturalization laws, operating
coyertly upon the religious prejudices Of
the country in the exclusion Of Catholics
from the right Of suffrage.
If | have been able to understand the
know-nothing orators, the paramount
object for which they have contended, and
from which incalculable blessings was to
result to the American people, it was
the extension Of the naturalization laws
from five to tyenty-one years, thereby
putting foreigner upon the same foot
ing as child born in America.
Now, gentlemen, ] contend that no
such consequence could result from the
passage Of such a law, and that any at
tempt to induce the American people TO
adopt such a principle with that view, is
an attack upon their intelligence, and a
fraud upon their suffrage, if given for
such a purpose.
Suppose Congress were to pass law
extending the time of naturalization
from five to twenty years, or to forty
years if you choose, would that affect
the right of suffrage? Certainly not.
The right Of suffrage is regulated by the
organic laws Of the several States Of the
Confcderacy, and is not directly under
the control Of Congress For instance,
IN the State Of Kentucky, when de-
claration Of intention to become n citizen
has been flea residence ID The State
for two years, and residence in the
county for one year, entities the indiyid-
ual 10 the right 10 vote for members Of
the General Assembly, while the Federal
Constitution declares that those persons
entitled to vote for members Of the
"most numerous branch Of the General
A ~ Al q Ill 4