The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-05-03

ING
and 0f the Union.
The subjoined Resolutions have been 1nani-
mously adopted BY the Republican State Cen
trail Committee Of Iowa. In connection with
this action, We declaim alike the right and the
disposition to interfere with the purely loca
questions OF Massachusetts, politics. With the
interior legislation and policy Of another SOW
erign State We have nothing to do. That policy,
in it's relation to exterior interests which 1t af
fects, is . text for the comment Of the country,
and especially Of the Republicans elsewhere,
who are sought to be charged with it's responsi.
bility. Massachusetts, was one Of the first, as
we'll as frmest, Republican States in the Union.
Her example, while it does not control, may Sc.
riously retard the progress Of the essential prin;
ciples of the Republican party throughout the
country. 1t is, threfore, with the most serious
regret that the Republicans Of Iowa have learn.
ed Of the legislative action of Massachusetts,,
which, in their opinion, contravenes the ele-
mental principle upon which the party was es-
tablished, and is now organised; upon which
they have hitherto won the support Of the coun-
try; and by the power which they are now
looking to the reform OF the National Admins
tration.
These principles rest upon the Declaration OF
National Independence, and the Constitution
established to perpetuate its theories. There is
no doctrine OF Repmblicanism which is not de-
rived from fair and just construction OF the
National Constitution. So far as it's doctrines
are supported by that instrument they are ma
tional, Any attempt to thwart the legitiment
purpose of a constitution, provision becomes
local, sectional, and disorganizing.
Congress, to give effect to the constitutional
provision respecting naturalization, has provid
ed the time in which, and the mode by which,
foreign born inhabitants may become entitled
to the enjoyment of the rights Of American cit-
zens, When thus naturalized it seems to us a
violation of the spirit and intent of the Consti
tutou to establish by State legislation an invdl-
Gus distinction between lawful citizens, based
upon the accident Of birthplace. This discrmi-
nation once affirmed, we do not see where the
limit to its application will be necessarily fixed.
Yon may discriminate between the different ma
tlonali,ies, principalites and even unprincipali-
ties, from which the naturalized citizen may
have come. Indeed, you may extend such State
legislation, quite as iesitimately upon principle,
to discrimination between citizens who have
set led among you from different States Of our
Union. II opens field for the most dangerous
innovat;an upon Constitutional rights. 1t is
kin lred in spirit to the legislation formerly at
tempted in one or two States, discriminating
in taxation between the manufactures of North
ern and Southern States, and in one instance, re-
fusing to recognize the right to protection in
South Carolina of citizen of Massachusetts,
Every discrimination in the enjoyment of q
common constitutional right or privilege, is, in
in our opinion, ffaught with peril to popular
peace and harmony.
This committee, therefore in the in
terest of National Republicanism, enter their
deliberate protes; against the incorporation, in
WI 10 Ori in nf prin nj
legislation into the creed OF the Republican
party. In behalf of that party in this State,
they most emphatieally reject it, And they in-
woke of that portion OF the people Of Massa-
chusetts who have hitherto so gallantly upheld
the National Republican standard in that State,
to condemn this proposition at the polls, and
maintain the integrity of our national platform.
JOHN A KASSON.
Chairman of the Rep. State Committee of Iowa.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.
WHEREAS the legislature Of the State of Massa-
chusetts has passed an amendment to the
Constitution of that State, by which foreign born
citizens deprived Of the right of suffrage
for two years alter their naturalization and
Whereas this amendment will be submitted to
vote Of the people Of Massachusetts, on the
9th of May 1859, for approval and disappro-
val
Therefore, Be it resolved by the Republican
Central Committe OF the State of Iowa.
l. That the above named Act OF the Legisla-
ture of Massachusetts, is a violation Of the prin-
cpes of the Republican party as affirmed in the
National Republican platform adopted at Phil
adephia, in 1886, and should therefore meet
with the earnest rebuke OF the Republican party
in every State OF the Union:
.. Resolved that We regard this act ss max
ing an unjust and offensive discrimination be-
tween citlzens on account of their birthplace.
and showing therefore tendency to undermine
the foundation on which the Republican party
is based, which case fully preserves strict ac-
knoxledgement of the equal rights of citizens
under the Constitution of the United States,
without regard to nationality, and in the con-
demnaton of all prescription in legislation:
8. Resolved tha, the Republican party in the
State OF Iowa cannot and will never approve OF
an act which our naturalized citizens are de-
prived of part of their rights as guaranteed
by the Constitution and existing laws;
4. Resolved, that we earnestly request our
Republican brethern in Massachusetts, to reject
by their vote proposition which would be a
stain upon the fair fame of State which has
heretofore been foremost in the advocacy ol
free principles, and equal rights to all men.
JOHN A KASSON,
ii. NJ. HOXIE,
n J. RUSCH,
D.N. COOLEY, Rep. State Cen. Com
&. II. JEROME,
r. L. B. CLARKE,
THOMAS SEELY.
Des Moines, April 18th 1859.