White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-09-09
Union of the Opposition.

| we 90 not expect the cO-Operatl0n OF
Pro Slavery Americans. They will go
to the Democracy, whittier so many of
them have gone already. Bot there is a
larger and better section of the party
which naturally leans our way, and with
these we would be on better terms than
we have been. zsza .ssf
But how better ? Shall We insist.that
they come square over y Us, while we
take not one step towar iscm !? Can we
nationally expect thcru come upon such
a frigid invitation I? s5ii'il-. 80
Now we cannot, for the sake of aug
menting our numbers, or of winning a
triumph, abjure our principles or desert
our friends. We viii never consent to
prescribe adopted. citizens nor extend. the
term of residence prior to naturalization
to twenty-one years. We believe the
naturalization. laws, honestly administer
ed, are very well as they stand, and we
purpose not to assist in changing them.
But we hold that the Americans have been
quite right in insisting that the looseness
Of our election laws fayors and incites to
illegal and multiple voting-that there
is practically no barrier against the cast
ing in any considerable city, Of dozen
or more votes at one election by any des-
peraio who combines in his own person
villainy with insiguifcance-and that the
systematic, wholesale naturalization Of
voters by party committees at the party's
expense, both in hunting up and putting
through the passive recipients of citizen
ship, is gross abuse, which ought not to
be patiently endured even for day. Let
every one entitled to naturalization receive
it whenever be shall see fit to apply for
it; but let us take away the temptation
to manufacture voters for party purposes
and at party expense, by requiring rea-
sonable term-say one year--to elspse
between the act of naturalization and that
of voting on the strength of it.
This would deprive no one Of any
existing right, it would interpose no OBJ
sfacle to future naturalizations; it would
simply say to every immigrant, Become
citizen as soon as you may and will /;
do not suffer yourself to be hunted up
and dragged to the naturalizing court
like sheep gathered to bemarked or cattle
to be driven to market, but become a
citizen in such manner as shall prove you
worthy, to take your equal place among
nation Of freemen." OF course, there
would be still some hunting up and nat
uralizing with view to a more remote
political, especially presidential contests;
but not one tenth what there now is, be-
cause the temptation would be far weaker
And we are confident the shameful prac-
tice now common of naturalizing voter
and Withholding his papers until he shall
have voted as those who paid for the
process prescribe, would be effectually
knocked in the head by the requirement
of years interval between naturalixing
and voting. sm1tR 90 81 laa ti(
/ Is there any valid objection to an
aEowal, by the Republican State Conven-
ton. of sympathy with every earnest,
judicious effort to correct abuses in our
elections, especially that. of illegal or
double voting? Is not the thing propo-
sed right in itself? and Is not declaration
in its favor clearly expedient And
would it not be well to nominate one or
more Of the candidates on our State ticket
from among those Americans who are
heartily with us in the struggle to prevent
the extension of slavery
We commend this subject to the
thoughtful consideration of our brethren
throughout the State. Let us in no wise
abandon our principles nor betray any
portion of their defenders ). but let US so
act as to invite and not repel the cooper
alton of those who have hitherto opposed
us. Above all, let us remember that less
importance will be attached to what may
be done than to the spirit which shall
guide our counsels and animate our efforts.
If we cannot without sacrifice secure the
cooperation Of former opponents. let Us
at least show that we do not repel but
desire.--N Y. Tribune.
~ Hftf