Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-07
NASHVILLE:
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1857.
Harris, watkins, and smith.

harris, Watkins, and Smith.
Gen. HARRIS has openly avowed the doc
time OF Alien Suffrage, in the territories.
nat he holds to be right and just and proper
IN the territories, is unjust and improper in
the States, at least in Tennessee. Our cousti-
tuition limits the right of suffrage to citizens.
ms Gen. HARRIS says is perfectly right, and
ne does not seek to change it-he is satisfied
with it. But why 500 II is matter of prin-
cipe. And he is been in the habit of contend
Ing that principles are chaDgeless and eternal.
What then constitutes the difference between
the principles applied in the States or in the
territories2 Gen HARRIS knows very we'll
that an effort to change the settled policy of
Tennessee upon this subject, would consign
him to inevitable political death. He dares
not apply the principle in Tennessee legisla-
ton, which he is earnest in applying in the
territories. In this State, where the native cit
liens, no matter of what party, are in sufficient
numbers to counteract and overwh helm the
evil influences Of foreignism, and where the
practical assertion of Alien Suffrage would and
could not operate any material injury to the
State, it is highly impoitic that they should
be allowed to vote. But in Kansas and Min
nesota, where the foreign element is already
strong and constantly and fearfllly increasing,
and where the it threatens TO overshad
ow the native, and determine the fu-
ture character of the States and their institu-
tions, it is entirely poltic-emnently just and
patriotic. Precisely where the evil is great
est, whore the danger is most iminent, they
throw the reins of government into the hands
of the foreign born and unnaturazed, and al
low them, without objection, to make laws and
mould States, excluding the South from an
equal and just participation in the rights of
property! The whole argument conviots GEN
HARRIS of inexcusabie inc consistency, and shows
him to be time-server, seeking to uphold him
self with the people of Tennessee, while at the
same time he is striving to occupy the same
ground with the Northern Alien Suffrage,
Squatter Sovereignty, freesoil wing of his par
ty. We trust that the ballot-box will put
| quetus to such arrant shuff1ing aud double
dealing.
While the majority of Southern democrats
in the Senate, and in the House, we believe,
are opposed to this position of Gen. HARRIs, as
expressed on the Minnesota bill, and at least
one of their candidates for Congress, AVERY
in the Memphis District, has declared against
it upon the stump, there are two WORTHLESS in
East Tennessee, SMITH and WATKINS, who
have bestridden the alien suffrage pony, and
upon it are running a Gilpin sweepstakes for
a reelection. On the passage of the Mime
sofa bill, which was presented by freesoil
delegate from that territory, and reported by
freesoil committee to the House, we find the
names of these two Tennessee gentlemen on
record with the body of the FREMONT and
BANKS supporters of the North. Both Saw
AGE end JONES voted against the bill, while
WRIGHT was absent on account of sickness.
1t is due to GEO. W. JONES, however, to say
that his opposition to the bill, was not on ac-
count of its alien suffrage feature; but was
grounded upon donation Of 8 per cent. of the
proceeds of the public lands within the terri
tory, to the territory; and hence he may also
be put down as one of the alien suffrage cham
pions.
We wish the people to understand the posi-
ton of their leaders upon this subject, and to
vote with their eyes open. Let these gentle
men defend and explain these votes to their
constituents, and, if possible, justify them. If
the leaders of the democracy determined
to thrust this infamous doctrine down the
throats of Independent, patriotic Tennesseans,
let them know what it is. Let these leaders
answer for their acts, and be held to a strict
accountability for the deeds done in the name
of their party, but which a majority of their
party in and out of the State spit upon ard
spurn.