The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-20

bers Of the House Of Representatives of the
State. lie also oontelded that the grant 10
foreigners Of the right Of suffrage, unLess
they had resided in the United States fee
years, wds unconstitutional. On this point
MIR. SHERMAN says:
am not in favor Of changing the time,
bat ! believe the spirit of our laws and the
spirit OF the Constitution of the United States
require that no man shall exercise the right
OF citizenship until be has been here FIVE
years. The Constitution Of Minnesota vio-
lates the spirit of the Constitution of the
United States in this particular. 1t pro-
yldcs, IN article seven, section one. subdivi.
sion two, that one class Of voters shall be
white persons of foreign birth, who have
declared their intention to become citizens. "
Now, this provision Of the constitution of
Minnesota fixes no time Of limitation to men
who may come here from Germany, from
Russia, from Austria, from Italy, or from
any other foreign country-men who may
not know even the language in which their
ballots are printed, and may know nothing
Of our constitution and laws They are not
required TO undergo reasonable period Of
probation, but they may 90 up to the ballot
box and vote within ten days after they ar.
rive in that Territory. know that other
new States have adopted similar provisions.
but ! think the principle is wrong. think
the Congress OF the United States fixed the
true rule in the Oregon bill, and am sorry
1t was not put into the Minnesota bill
MIR. SHERMAN is mistaken. No person
Of foreign birth can vote in this State, unless
he has resided in it six months, in the United
States one year, and has declared his nten
ton Of becoming citizen.-EDs.l
Mr.. SHERMAN, of Ohio. That is the very
question in dispute. claim that they have
not conformed to the law, and the gentleman
says they have. lido not know that single
member OF the Republican party will vote
with me. | simply want here to give notice
"to the world and the rest Of mankind that
the Congress of the United States ought
to establish some just, fair and reasonable
rule, requiring the Territories not only to
submit their constitutions TO the people
but to come here decently in every respect.
The only other remark desire to make
is this: in my judgment, all of these irregu-
larities in the Territory Of Minnesota are to
be attributed to the influence OF Federal or
TIGERS. Had it not been for these Federal
officers there would have been no Irregular
ity. 1t happens that the men who are ap-
pointed to ill Territorial officers, and thus
having the power to mould, or aid in mould
ing, the institutions Of these infant States,
are the very men who ought not to be ap-
pointed. 1t is your Sibleys, and Medarys,
and Germans who are sent there, and, to
crafty their senatorial aspirations, infuse
their poison among the people, and thus
derange the movements of new States. They
seek to control them, and then irregularity
begins.
Think that it would be happy event for
the people of Minnesota it Congress could
refer this constitution back to them with the
simple declaration "iou shall come into
the Union with all the powers Of the State
but the laws must be obeyed. Come in reg.
ular form, and We will greet you with hearty
good will, and clothe you with the rich dover
aud equal rights Of IL sovereign State.
Mr., JENKINS. Mr.. Speaker, it was not
my intention to address the House on this
subject and | should not have taken the
iio"r Tor that purpose now, if it had not been
Tor the remarkable course OF argument pur-
sued by the gentleman from OHIO. | have
taken hurried notes OF what he said and will
reply to his positions ia the order in which
be presented them.
The honorable gentleman set out with the
remark that it might awaken surprise in
the minds OF some when they should discov.
or hun opposing the admission OF a free
State into the Union. A moments rthec.
ton will satisfy gentlemen that those who
will come here as Representatives upon this
iioor If Minnesota be admitted into the
Union. will in their political opinion be rad
ically opposite to the gentleman from Ohio.
In this find satisfactory solution of the
remarkable anomaly of the gentleman being
opposed TO the admission OF a free State.
As Democracy anu so-called Republicanism
are antagonis,ic throughout 80 it requires
no intellectual fnessing why the Republican
gentleman from Ohio, should oppose the ad-
mission into the Union of Democratic Min.
nesota.
The first proposition which the geutle-
man lays down, and in which he suppoaes
ne rIaE al argument against the admission
OF Minnesota, is, that the wrong number Of
delegates were elected TO the Constitutional
Convention. will read the law on that
point. The third section Of the Minnesota
enabling act is as follows:
SEC. B. Ind BE- further snactsd, Tha, on
the FIRST Monday in June next, the legal voters
IN each representative district then existing
within the limits Of the proposed state. are
hereby authorized 10 elect two delegates for
each representative 90 which said district NAV
be entitled 10 according 10 the spportionmen,
for representatives to the Territorial Lerisla
ture, which election for delegates shall be held
and conducted. aad the returns made, in all re.
speets in conformity with the laws Of said Ter.
riiory regulating the election ofrepreseniatiyes:
and the delegates 30 elected shall assemble At
the Capitol OF said Territory. on the second
Monday IN July next. and iirsi determine by
vote, whether Il Is the wish Of the people Of The
proposed state, 10 be admitted into the Eoinn