American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-03-05
EsoInT9M CREME sMAhS AND
yAUcANS.

says The Louisville Journal-a resolu-
tlon ins;ructing the Committee on the
judiciary to inquire into the cxpcdicn-
cy of reporting bill to regulate and
restrain the immigration or importa-
ton into the United States of foreign
criminals and paupcrs. The resolution
was adopted by q vote of--yess 1856,
(amons them Mr.. Clcmcns, of this Dis.
tric0; noys ga very decisive ma
.jority-
II there is any subject to which the
attention of Congress has been direct-
cd worthy Of being inquired into, it is
this very subject of the introduction
into our midst, year after year, and
month after month, and week after
week, and day after day, Of the out
pourlngs Of the over, crowded prisons
and alms-housos Of Europe until ou
own prisons ard poor houses are filled
to overlooking with these masses of fcs-
tering moral and physical corruption.
1t has grown to be an outrage so vile,
md u source of so much onerous taxa,
ton upon our citizens that the recon.
mcudutions Of the American party in
this respect have attracted the atten-
ton and commanded the approval of
leading Democrats and even intelligent
Foreigners in all parts Of the country.
1t may suit some Representatives, in
the bitterness of their hostility to ev-
cry thing American, to obstruct any
proposition to find n remedy for this
great and crying evil, but the people.
without distinction Of party will never
eanct!on any vote in favor Of the con-
tluuancc Of the introduction of foreign
p1upcrs and criminals.
\ number Of the members Of Con-
Gress failed to vote upon the resolution.
4 Washington contemporary says that
the introduction OF il, and the demand
Jor the yeas and nays upon it, produc-
eI great CONSERVATION, and terrible
scam.pcriug ont Of the hall in order to
dodge the vote. Its adoption by so
large II majority is a signal triumph Of
the American party and an ample vim
dcaron Of one Of its lending principles.
1t was doubtless for this reason that 80
many avoided the vote upon the demand
for the yeas and nays. They dared
not place themselves upon the record
against the resolution, and, although
they are fully convinced thnt it is right
III ltseh, and enIncntiy proper, they
lacked the neral courage to admit by
voting for it that at least this one Of
the principles Of the American party
is true, and just, and right. The result
OF the vote upon this proposition is one
example Of what must be the result
whenever the principles Of the Ameri-
oan party can be directly put in issue.
There is not one principle i'll the plat
form OF the American party less true,
less patriotic, or less worthy Of the
support Of the whole American people
than shat which expresses opposition
10 the importation Of foreign criminals
aad paUpcrs, and there is not one which
will not command as triumphant an
endorsement whenever the people can
be brought to vote directly upon it,
without being deceived and led astray
upon other inmaterial issues as they
have been ever since the entrance Of
the AmeriOan party into tho political
arena Of the country.
There we're some who stated, in OK.
PLANTATION Of their votes against this
resolution, that Congress has no power
10 prevent the introduction of immi-
grants. This is simply a subtcrfuge,
ind virtually admits tho propricty Of
the exercise Of the power if il exists.
The denial Of such power in Congress
by representative in that body is an
Insult to the constituency by whom he
was selected. The Federal CoDstitu.
ton declares that "the migration or
importation Ct such persons as any Of
the States now existing shall think
proper to admit, shall not b. prohibited
ny the Congress prior to the year 180S,"
and also coulcrs upon Congress the