Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-07-31

1fI1E IA 4
TowASpA, July 10Th, 1857.

EeatteHeR -
Your letter of 9th May came
to hand during the sitting of my Courts,
Immediately on the close of which left
home, and returned only few days since.
This must be my apology for not earlier
having responded to your communication.
am requested to answer certain inter-
rOgatorles propounded to me in pursuance
Of resolution of the late convention held
at Altoona.
Tue history of our State establishes a
wise and safe policy in respect to the point
embraced in your first inteTogatory. 1t
will be found rare indeed, that any except
native born citizens, have held high official
station either in Executive or Judicial de-
partments of our State Government; ard the
same class, with comparatively few excep-
tions, have filed the seats of our Legisla-
tive Halls. The naturalized citizen canuot
reasonably complain that this traditional
policy should be preserved. There is no.
thing in it, intolerant or proscriptive; nor
would the enlightened and patriotic citizen
OF foreign birth so regard it. It imposes
no legal disqualification. 1t taxes from him
DO right. Official station of right belongs
TO no man. While | would adhere to this
policy as one of wisdom and patriotism, no
American who properly appreciates his re-
sponsibiliaies, would neglect an inquiry in-
to the character aud itness of candidates
presented tor his suffrage; nor could be
without betrayal of the best interests of
his country, disregard the claims of princi-
pie involved in his choice. Thus occasions
may arise, when an enlightened and faithful
discharge Of duty, would demand our suf-
frages for tho naturalized citizen, in prefer
ence to one born on our soil. Understand
ing the spirit of your first proposition as
not Inconsistent with the views here ex-
pressed, ] yield it my cordial assent
Are You is in favor of the projection of
American labor, American rights, and
American interests!
TO this, your second interrogatory, l shall
content myself with simple affirmative
answer
The matters embraced in your third in
terrogatory are Of the first Importance, and
demand the most serious consideration OF
the patriot and statesman. The boldncss
and success with which frauds are perpe.
trated upon the Ballot Box, have becemc
alarming. and unless promptly aud effectu-
ally checked, must end in the subversion of
our system of Free Government The
forms of liberty may remain, but only as .
cheat aud mockery, CLOSING over as cruel o
despstlsm as ever cursed people.
would sustain with my whole strength
any and every measure wisely devised, to
preserve the purity of our popular elections.
Wilful fraud upon the Ballot Box: is moral
treason against Republican Government;
ard all duly convicted of boing concerned
therein, iu addition TO other penalties,
should be forever disqualified from holding
office Or exercising the elective franchise.
Doubtless our naturalization laws could
be SO amended as TO aid In securing Lurity
aud fairness in our elections; but we should
not weaken our State sovereignty, by look
ing to the general Government rs the great
source of reform in this matter. 1t belongs
exclusively to, the States to regulate this
whole question Of sufrage-to prescribe the
qualifications of eisetors--to provide safe
guards against flapds, aud infiict punish-