Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-06-03
Mr.. Lincoln s letter
SPRINGFIELD. MAY l.. !

SPRINGrIELD, May l., ls33.
Dir. THEODORE CANIslus- Dedr Sir -
Your note asking in behalf Of yourself and
other German citizens. whether ! am for or
against the constitional provision in regard
to naturalizcd citizens, lately adopted by
Massachusetts, and whether lam for against
fusion Of the Republicans, and other oppo-
siton elements, for the canvass OF looo, Is
received.
Massachusetts, is sovereign and indepon-
dent State. and it is no privilege of mine to
scold her for what she does. Still, if from
what she has done, an inference is sought to
be drawn as to what | would do, may, with
out improperly, speak out. | say then.
that. as understand the Massachusetts, pro-
vision, am against its adoption in Illinois
or in any other place, where have right
to oppose it. Understanding the spirit of
our institutions to aim at the ELEVATION of
men, | am opposed to whatever tends to
DEGRADE them, have some little notoriety
for commiserating the oppressed condition of
the negro. and should be strangely incon-
sistont il could favor any project for cur
failing the existing rights of WHITE MEN, even
though born in different lands and speaking
different languages from myself.
As to the matter of fusion, ] am for it. if
il can be had on Republican grounds; and
am not for it or any other terms \ fusion
on any other terms would be as
foolish as unprincipled. 1t would lose the
whole North, while the common enemy
would still carry the whole South The
question of men is different one. There
are good patriotic men, and able statesmen
| in the South, whom | would cheerfully sup
port if they would now place themselves on
Republican ground; but am against letting
down the Republican standard hairs
breadth.
have written this hastily but believe it
answers your questions substantially,
Yours truly. A LINCOLN
Senator Trumbull in like manner condemns
the action Of Massachusetts, on the subject
referred to, but says the Democrats in striv-
ing to make political capital out Of it "stul-
tify themselves before the country and rcpu-
diate their so-called great prutcipie of leaving
the people of each State perfectly free to form
and regulate their own domestic institutions
in their own way, by saying anything about
the internal affairs Of Massachusetts.
Secondly they themselves in their attem ut
to deprive foreign residents in Minnesota Of
any participation in the formation of their
State government and of the rights of suf-
frage long enjoyed, were guilty Of greater
outrage than the people of Massachusetts, for
the latter Gas | understand), have not at
tempted to interfere with the rights of suf
frage enjoyed by foreigners now residents Of
the State, but only to prescribe a different
rule for those who shall come hereafter,
while the Democrats, not ofan isolated State
but oil the nation, undertook in Congress to
take away from persons Of foreign birth =,
then residing in Minnesota, the right of suf
frage, which under previous acts OF Congress
and the Territorial Legislature they had long
enjoyed. In this attempt they We're defeated
by the Republicans. Let Democrats answer
for this attempt of the majority of their par
ty in the nation to rob the foreign residents
IN Minnesota OF previously vested rights, be-
fore they attempt to arraIgn the Republicans
of the nation for the action OF a few in
Massachusetts,, contrary to the declared creed
of the party
Very respectfully,
LYMAN TRUMBuLL