Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-05-13
The pIassacIusctt. Amendment.


1t seems from the telegraph report that
the people Of Massachusetts, by vote yes,
torday, adopted the amendment to their
Constitution, providing that naturaiEed for
eigneFs shall not vote under two wears from
the date Of their final papers. The majori-
ty cannot yet be known.
This result, although contrary to our
wishes, and those Of the mass of Republi-
cans throughout the country, will not be en-
tirely unexpected to those who understand
the peculiar condition Of affairs in that State.
The sentiment there among all parties, in
regard to tho subject of naturalization, is
less liberal than in most of the other States.
1t will be recollectcd that the Know
Nothings were for time largely in the as
cehdant there, and although the party as a
distinct organization, has been borne down
by the superior force Of Republican princi-
pies, much of the feeling which gave it
birth and temporary supremacy, still re-
mains, and having in the recent vote au op-
portunity for exercise free from the restraint
Of ordinary elections, it operated with much
of its original yigor. This feeling is by no
means bounded BY party lines, but it is found
among all the political organizations in the
State. .atl
What is regarded as the Republican par
ty Of Massachusetts, is composed of two
cIasses-the Republicans proper and the
neutrality-suspicious.. The submission Of
this amendment was no doubt regarded BY
the former as local NATTER not necessari-
ly affecting affecting the Republicans at
large. 1t was probably likewise felt, that
in submitting it to vote of the people,
they we're not thereby committing them
selves to its support, but were merely Civ
ing their constituents an opportunity to ex-
press their wishes in the matter and thus
dispose of it. However this course may be
regarded as stroke of party policy it has
certainly show of respect for the popular
will too seldom exhibited by dominant par
ties
The question once before the voters, it
was subject to many influences not properly
connected with it. For instance-knowing
the hostility 10 the proposed amendment
which existed among naturaized voters Of
Massachusetts and other States, and that
as its submission to vote was the act of the
Republican Legislature, the odum Of its
adoption would be likely TO attach to the
Republicans, the Democratic leaders seized
the opportunity to damage their opponents
by working secretly for its acceptance, while
they openly professed.to be opposed to It.
Thus, the Herald, the leading Administra-
tioa paper in New York, said before the
election, that "a largo number Of Demo-
Gratis wonld vote for the amendment. '.for
the purpose Of injRriRg tie Republicans; ("
and VIC have no doubt that this game was
practiced to a great extent. We feel con-
fident that if yesterdays vote could be ana
lived, less than one-half would be from re-
publicans.
We much regret the result, because we
believe tho amendment wrong in principle
but we cannot doubt that, when the pecu-
liar circumstances under which tho vote was
taken become known, tue responsibility oI
the matter viii not attach 10 the Repubh,
cans as parity Toledo Blade.