The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-08-04
BosfoN. July 10, 1859.

BosroS, July 10, 1859.
TO he Eiiors II III Pio@eer asd DsaoeraL
Contrary to expectation when last wrote
you, | have again been called away from
home on business and have therefore not
been so punctual as | had wished to be.
However, it is not my fault that cannot do
as ! please, for, as the old French proverb
says, Z" Man proposes but God disposes."
1t is my purpose to show to my fellow
adopted citizens that If they vote the Repub-
lican ticket they will vote away the rights OF
citizenship and the glorious freedom with
which they have been invested by the Dem
cratic party, and will have cause to rue the
day they raised their hands against the pow
er that has clothed them with blessings
which no other party that ever existed in
the United States would bestow on them,
but on the other hand, would take from them,
as in the late demonstration in this aristo-
cratic State of Massachusetts,
1t was maxim of the great patriarch
Of Democracy, Thomas JEFFERSON, that
epower is always stealing from the many to
the few" which means that through the
lstlessness of the people the faw aristocrats
Of the State get the upper hand and WELD
the power over them as they choose; and so,
going on from bad to worse they subject the
great mass of the people ia their sway, even
as an OK is by degrees subjected to the yoke.
1t is the same in all countries with all par
ties that are opposed to democratic princ-
pes--tt is the same in the United States
and tLe same with the Republican party Of
the United States in every State where that
party has an organization. 1t is the main
objecyof that party to restrict the right Of
suffrage to all poor men, and especially to
men Of foreign birth.
To Prove this, let us examine the Const,
tuition of the State of Rhode Island. From
the year 1868 the people of that State lived
undE charter granted by Charles IL until
the year 1912, when they forced the ruling
powens to call convention to frame a con
stitaioo. They were tired of the manner
in'which things were done under the old
char.er, apd were tired also OF the property
qualiticASfn OF 1874 which was requisite to
enable ban to vote at any election. Wei,
conyhton was ordered and the delegates
were dected, not by the people, but by those
who We're possessed with the property quail
iication, and the Constitution was ratified
by the, 1874 Gratis, those not possessing that
amountpf mud and gravel not being allowed
to votesoe the organic law under which they
were to W. and behave as good citizens.
Articlttwo Of that magnificent constitu-
, ton is-devoted to the subject Of qualifica
tons Of electors, and as il is very singular
Z f1sRle "a sort of literary curosity-l
sour leave, transcrbe the first two
sss4oas Of it, that your readers may see
what pains and talent were expended by the
enemies Of democratic principles to mystify
and complcate what should have heen the
plainest and shortest Of all the articles in
the constitution:
Sse.l. Every male citizen Of the United
states, of the age oftgsnty one years, who has
had his residence Aodshome in this State for
one year, and ia the at0wn or city in which he
may claim right 70 vote, six months next
precs6ing the time Of voting, and who is real.
10 in ytuht gf
real 16ff1s n sach to WI or city Of the value Of
one bundfed and thrty.ieur dollars over and
above Oh ipeufnerauces, or which shall rent for
seven d0ilsSs per anpum over and above any
rent reserved. sory me nte est Of any incum
brancss thereon: ha|es an estate IN fee simple,
10 revcrsion or remainder which qualities no
other person 10 vote. the conveyance of which
estate, IL by deed, shall have been recorded at
leas; ninety days, shall there after have a right
to vote in the election Of all civil officers and
on all questions ia all legal town or ward meet
ings so long az he continues 30 qualified.
And il any person hereinbefore described shall
own any estate within thA State out Of the
town or city in which he resides, he shall have
a r gLt TO vote in the election of all general
Officers and members OF the General Assembly
in the town or city IN which he shaH have had
his residence and home for the term Of ak
months mex, preceding the election. upon pro.
duciug a cer;ihcat from the clerk Of the town
or city ia which his estate lies, bearing date
within ten days Of the time Of his voting. set
ting forth that such person has a sutficen; ca
tate therein TO qualify lin a. voter and that
the deed, i any, has been recorded ninety day.
" hew there ia section one Of article
two let some of your readers be studying
out what it means while you and ! pass
on 10
SEC. ,. Every male NATIVE twhst-nstivef
yes. native ettiLsn Of the United States. Of
the age Of twenty one years, who has had bS
residence aud kSfns 10 this state two years,
and IN the town ~ city 10 which he may offer
20 vote SIX months next preceding The tine OF
voting. wHOsE SsgE "a KEIisTEEED PCKsrAsT
- rHE ACT CALLISG THE CONVENTION TO FRAag
rHIs COx-rrrUTIoS, OF shall be registered in the
oiice Of the clerk Of such town or city al east
seven days before the time be .hA. Cder 70
vote. and before the iAst day pf December 10
the p1e.en, year. aHi who la. pad ~ .ha.l pay