Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-04-13
THE TWO YEARS AMENDMENT.


The proposed Amendment to the Constitu-
ton, which finally took form and became
known as the 1.-TWO Years Amendment"
originated with politicians, and not with
the people 1t was devised to serve po-
litical purpose and has been carried through
the legislature by influences that have worked
in behalf of that purpose. Men voted for it
in the legislature without believing it to be
either necessary or wise. They were induced
to believe that political expediency required it,
and therefore consented to help it along, no.
ping it would do no harm if it should do no
good. Time and reflection have, in many
cases, changed or modified this view of the
matter, and we know several gentlemen who
voted for it in the Legislature, who will vote
against it next month at the polls.
We wish that some of those who favor the
measure would tell us explicitly why Massa-
chusetts should adopt such an amendment to
her Constitution. Our Commonwealth is no.
wise in danger from the foreign element"
Nothing in our history, nothing in our present
condition. intimates the likelihood that any for
eign born influence can ever make much head
way in our politics. We are not threatened
from this quarter; and nothing has been done,
or has any prospect of being done, in Massa-
chnsetts, that can furnish eithera reason or an
excuse for the proposed measure. The more
men reflect on the matter, the more this is felt
There is no good reason why it SHOULD be
adopted; while, on the other hand, there are
some very strong and important reasons for re-
jecting it.
1t is suicidal policy for the Republicans to
make themselves responsible for a measure SO
offensive and at the same time so useless.
The majority of those against whom the Two
Years Amendment will operate are disposed
to be our political friends and associates. In
all the Northwestern States, naturalized citi-
zens from Germany and the North of Europe
constitute a large proportion of the inhabitants;
and they are generally disposed to act with the
Republicans. They do not believe in the slave
power, and therefore shrink from connection
with the slavery party Through their support
and cooperation, and not otherwise, may the
Republican party become the ruling pow
er in all the Northwestern States. To this
class of voters chiefly are we indebted for the
bold and triumphant development of anti
slavery sentiment in st. Louis. And shall we
take such course as will surely embarrass
and cripple the party at the West, while it
does US no good whatever!
Our friends at the West appeal to us with
toll 4hat
chusetts cannot confne her influence to her.
self; that her position in the Republican
movement is representative and that whatev-
er is done by the party here, is felt very seri-
ously there. They find it necessary to declare
publicly, in conventions, against our Know
Nothing antics, and especially against this pro-
posed amendment of the constitution. And
why should we disregard their appeal? The
Boston Atlas and Bee says, in reply to it,
Gust as many Germans and 1rishmen and
Yankees as choose to vote with the pro-slayery
Democracy, in 1860, are welcome to do So"
But this style of talk is unwise every way, as
well as unconciliating 1t does not come from
just and manly appreciation of the actual
condition of things. Some who observe
how cavalierly that paper treats the Ger
man Republicans, may be unamiable enough
to suggest that the Atlas and Bee may prefer
utilization with pro-slavery Know Nothings,
such as the New York Express and its very
nice cousins North and South.
We shall not adopt this suggestion; but we
hope the conductors of that paper will see the
propriety of retaining from attempts to mis-
construe and libel the motives of those who de
sire the defeat of that unnecessary Two Years
Amendment. If they have anything to say in
behalf of the measure, let them say it candidly
and and with something like show of respect
for those who do not agree with them. Ill ma
tured language and ibellous assaults on the
motives of others, can neither do the work of
honest argument nor help their side of the
question in any manner. There is a more ex-
cellent way, which, we trust, they will find.
We notice that the measure under consider
alton does not find much championship any
where. Many who befriended it at first have
become either Indifferent or hostile to it. 1t
does not require very sharp eyes to see that it
is not wanted in Massachusetts; that we have
no special use for it; while the conviction
grows, that it will prove to be very mischiev-
GUS. Its rejection by the people will be any
thing but calamity.