Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-01-22

shipped God in form contrary to their
wishes or was born onother than American
soil, he must take no part in the admins
tration of the government. They demand
ed such Il change in the laws as should
deny 70 them the benefits Of naturaliza-
ton, until after a residence of twenty one
years.
Why should we not adopt the voluntary
exile from his native land, as an American
citizen within the time now prescribed by
law By 50 doing we confer upon him no
right Of suffrage-no right 10 purchase,
hold, or ALLEVIATE property. We simply
throw around him the protecting arm Of
the United States, and advise all other ma
tons that he is as sacred n son of Liberty
as though born under the Constitution
When, and under what conditions per-
sons. either foreign or native born, shall
acquire and dispose Of property, or exer =.
else the right of suffrage in any State, de-
ponds upon no act of Congress, but upon
the laws of the State.
These designing men, whose love for off
&C SO exceeded their desire for the peace
and prosperity Of their country, knew that
their hopes of success depended upon ap-
pealing to the prejudices and passions of
men, where no opportunity was offered to
counteract the efforts by the soothing IN
huence Of reason. Accordingly, they es-
tablished secret political organizations, stu
diouslv excluding therefrom all who would
not sustain their unchristian and Liberal
doctrines. Rejecting men were persua-
ded that in a short time, thinking and pat
riotic citizens would abandon these associ
ations, and they have not been disappoint-
Cd
But unfortunately there has sprung
therefrom an alarming evil, which requires
the strong arm of the law to suppress.
mean the organized violence which has
been exhibited at the polls on election days
Many conhdentially hoped that this evil
would be limited to the cities, and that
when the storm of passion had subsid-
ed it would pass away, or be Suppressed by
the local authorities; but unfortunately, the
history Of the la:e elections slow that il
has spread beyond the Incorporated cites,
and has been quite as violent in the coun-
try districts. Unless this growing evil is
checked without delay. it will not be long
confined to contests between the native
and adopted citizens, but all who differ
concerning the men TO be chosen for Office
will be arrayed on the one side or the 9th
er, seeking not by reason and argument to
advance their iavorltc candidate, but by
violence, with arms, To- strike down their
opponents. Then will the ballot box cease
to be respected arbitcr deciding the differ
ences between men-thc officers chosen
Will not command the support Of the com
muni!y in making and executing TIE laws
the battle will not end when tie election
is made-it will 60 on until rebellion and
civil war shall take the place of obedience
and peace. And why should this be? We
determine by our written constitution who
is legally entitled to vote. We have the
power to punish those who do it without
authority. Let us likewise with severe aud
heavy penalties, chas;ise those who deprive
deter the legal voter from the exercise of
of one of his most sacred rights. To Sc
cure this great privilege Of determining
their officers BY the voice Of majority,
mankind have struggled for ages. and now
when it is secured, shall it be thrown away
BY selfish ambition? Are not the frecmen
who conquer freemen by violence as much
tyrants over their fellow citizens as the des-
pot who subdues his people by the sword?
You should regard that man who deprives
a legal voterOf bis suffrage as an enemy to
hbor.y--as a .yrant not satisfied that man
should be free.
In addition to this violent invasion Of tie
right ofsuTrage there has been systemat-
c effort made by fraudulent and illegal
votesto control the government Of the State.
All good men must regret that there should
be found any SO lost to every sense of hon
or, SO dead to every patriotic feeling, that
they are willing to rob their neighbors OF
their legal rights by corruption and fraud.
Can such men have considered what fatal
consequences will flow from this practice
if continued? Though they may acquire a
temporary asccndancy, they should rcmem
Der that the peace AMI good order of com
munity depend upon keeping the ball"t-box
so that all men will yield willing obedi-
ence to the verdict il renders-all their
civil and social rights-all their hopes OF
! liberty for themselves and descendants, de
pend upon maintaining the purity of the
balot-box. That this great wrong may