The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-22

the United States, but with the rights OF
the southern States. II involves principle
which comes directly 10 conflict with the
principles Of . party that have the homer
TO represent on this floor, whose great lead
ing doctrine IL directly In conflict with this
principle and I should be unjust to myself
and recreant TO the duty that is devolved
upon me, IL did not indicate the princi-
Piles Of that party, To slight extent, at
least, in giving the reasons why ! vote
against this bill. | am not now referring
particularly TO the bill for the admission Of
Minnesota at all because, really, that bill
10 matter Of very little importance to me
but intend to vote against the admission
OF the State with this constitution which she
has sent here. Its seventh article, in regard
to the elective franchise, declares
THE Senator here quoted the provision
Of our constitution, permitting aliens and
civilized Indians and half breeds TO vote.
Now, sir, the ground that take, and the
ground taken by the party that have the
honor TO represent, is that alien suffrage and
squatter sovereignty must be repudiated.--
Having asserted these principles before the
people Of my own State, and being prepared
to indicate them here, cannot give my
sanction TO the admission Of State with
constitution containing so clear an infraction
Of the provisions Of the Constitution Of the
United States, Us that article contains for
il you admit the right Of aliens, not natu-
rallied, to take part in your elections-men
who really cannot claim the protection OF
the Government who have no right to
come here and petition tor q redress OF
grievances until the mantle Of citizenship
has teen Pat upod siiieni, in accordance with
the laws Of Congress and the Constitution
Of the United States-you permit that class
of individuals in this country to control di-
rcctly the action of Congress, and perhaps,
the destiny of this nation.
Mr.. President, when Congress
has exercised its authority by passing uni
form law of naturalization, it excludes the
right Of exercising similar authority on
the part of the State; aud to suppose that
the State could do this would make this
provision Of the Constitution OF the United
States nugatory. Tha power has been given
TO the Congress of the United States to es-
tablish uniform rule OF naturalization for
the express, simple purpose Of protecting
the minority in this country from an aggre-
cation Of power that might be the result of
allowing States to hold out inducements to
cmigrants. 1t was TO protect us against that
| Interpolation or subversion Of the principles
of this Government, which will necessarily
creep into it by the introduction of new
members Of the Government, imported from
! foreign countries, and brought here directly
to carry out sectional purposes that State
could make an alien citizen, or cOaler on
him the right OF voting, would give him a
direct and broad control in this Government.
| A man votes for Representatives in the other
branch Of Congress in accordance with the
laws Of the State in which he resides and,
if you allow aliens to vote for members OF
Congress, they may control your legislation
here, and introduce a system of policy en-
trely at variance with that upon which the
Government was originally formed
Mr. KENNEDY here read from Mr. Car.
rouS on this subject. The only important
extract presented, bearing on the question
is the following, from Mr.. CALHouN's speech
on the Michigan bill in 1876
ITO suppose that state can make an alien
citizen Of the state, OF 10 present the ques
ton more specifically, can confer on him the
right Of voting. would involve the absurdity o
giving him direct and immediate control over
the action of the General Government, from
which he has no right 10 claim the protection
and to which he has no right to present peti
ton That the full force of the absurdity MAY
be felt, 1t must he borne in miad that every de
partment of the General Government is eithe
directly or indirectly under the control OF th'
voters in the several states. The consttutio,
wisely provides that the voters for the mos
numerous branch OF the Legislatures n the sew
eral States shall vote for members OF the Hous'
OF Representatives; and, as the members OF thu
body are chosen by the Legislatures OF th'
States, and the Presidential electors either b.
the Legislatures or voters in the several States
II follows, a. | have stated, that the action o
the General Government is either directly o.
indirectly under the control Of the voters II
the several States. Now admit that Stat
may confer the right Of voting on all aliens, an,
Il will follow, a. a necessary consequence, tina
we might have among our constituents persons
who have not the right 20 claim the protection
OF the Government, or TO present petition Il
n'
After some discussion on the subject o
naturalization. Mr. JouNscS. of Tenn, re
piled as follows TO the argument Of Mr.
Kennedy:
Mr.. johnson, OF Tennessee 1t is not m,
object To consume the time of the Senate, o
10 delay the passage OF the bill; but there i
one pom, which has been suggested on which
have pretty well made up my mind, and i
| am in error, desire TO he corrected Il
~ dine in sincerity 10 the Senator from Ma
ryland, that should enter my protest agains
the doctrine rnuncia,ed by him on this occs
son. have M doubt bis sincerity apd tn,
corrctncss Of his purpose in the great ob
ccts which he wishes 10 accomplish but
think il the doctrine b. has announced h.
sanctioned and obtain an asccndency in this
government, the very idea Of State soyer
eighty will be a, MI end ard the cxistenc,
of the state governments will be sct al
naugh,. Tie has read from pretty high an
,horlty as 10 the qualifications o; voters IL
A. h..e =. -. -