Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-09-04
Mr.. Brseklnrlage snshs Rights of Foreign


We published few days since extracts from the |
speech of Mr. Bell at Knoxville after the election
in 1855, in whichhe declares that though not mem
Der of the American or Know Nothing order: ~
fed tbat am at heart as true to The great and leading
PRINCIPLES Of the partyas could Be arsrs formally
initiated into one Of its coauacils We also published
extracts from the letter of Mr.. EVERETT when Sec
retarv of State to our Minister at Berlin, in which
he held that native of European government,
leaving before he has performed his military SER
vice. and coming to this country, and becoming
naralized citizen on his return to his native coun
try Is still liable to military service there
We also quoted from the letter Of Gen. CAss
during the past year to Gov. WRIGHT, our pres
snt Minister to Berlin in which the Democratic doc
trine is laid down that when naturalized citizen
of the United States returns to his native land he
owes no more allegiance to his native government
thxn native of the United States, and is entitled
to the same protection from our government that is
due to one bora in the United States. We publish
below en- extract from speech made by Mr. BREcK-
NRDGE in Congress in March 1856, which will ex-
plain his views. In the House of Representatives.
on the third Of March,, 1855, Mr. WESrwoKTH, of
Massachusetts,, reported from the Committee on
Commerce bill 10 prevent the Importation of for
eign criminals, paupers lunatics, insane, idiots, and
blind persons, and sought to put it on its passage
Some debate ensued, and Mr. BREckrxRIDGE, object
ing to the provisions of the bill, said:
81 do not propose to discuss the question as to the
power of the General Government TO prevent the
different States in the Union from allowing such per-
sons as they choose to come within their borders
do not profess to have examined the subject tho
roughly; but that is immaterial to my argument
My impression is that the State of Virginia the
State OF Massachusetts, the State of Kentucky, or
any other State has the right to allow to prevent
certain classes of persons from coming within their
own borders. This bill. however, if the power ex-
lists within the States, takes it away from them.
will not however, discuss that question.
Assuming the power, however, to exist in the
Federal Government, there is cruel exercise Of it
in this bill 1t provides that every human being de-
sirous of coming within the limits of the United
States shall obtain from American consul certi
cate pass stating that he is insane that he is
not idiot that he is not lunatc, that he is not
poor, nor blind and that he has not for the space
of five years next preceding the date of the certi
cate been afflicted with lunacy, insanity idiocy,
| any arrangement of intellect, and 1 might say
| think if they had added nor arrangement of the
bowels it would have made the bill complete
| [Laughter.l The certificate so furnished SHALL if
possible, also state the name the birthplace and the
residence of the applicant together with his age if
known
Now, sir, in looking at the later part of this bill
the first thing which struck lay attention that
man might be emgrating to the United States with
his family his wife and children one of whom might
be afflicted with blindness, and under the bill, as it
| originally came from the committee, that family
would have to be severed. The father could not
bring his blind child within the limits of the United
States But the bill is not as it originally was but
| has been patched up from time to time and | see
there is an amendment attached to the 18th section
which provides that the lst 9Th and Sth sections of
the act shall not be held applicable to any blind in
| sane or idiotic person who is member of family
emigratng to the United States if be is person Of
! sufficient property to maintain himself. The bill,
therefore, as it now stands, allows any blind person
who is member of a family ENGRAVING to the Uni
ted States to come in but if he happens not to be
one OF a family, or to comprise the whole family in
his own person, he he old or young, rich or poor,
and by accident is afflicted with blindness the bill re-
pels him from the shores of the United States Now
[ want property qualification in this country as
a condition Of residence within borders of those
| we allow to come IN. None, sir. If you allow a
blind European to here if he worth 500 OOO
you ought to allow blind European TO come here
who is not worth a cent Such restriction is anti
American, antirepublcan and it is contrary to the
| spirit of our whole system to draw such dIstnc-
tons. The property qualification is most odiOus in
my judgment, with all respect to the gentleman who
| offered the bill.
Another provision of the bill requires that the
| term 'pauper,' used il the bill, shall be held
q
the time of making the application specified in the
first section OF the act, has received support as
| poor and INDECENT person. How will that operate
Is it proper to draw this distinction! Can you not
imagine person of the Hottest intellect of the no.
best character, by inevitable misfortune, reduced
to the necessity of receiving support from his
friends, from the public, and yet be as worthy
of emigrating to the United States as one who
counts his funds by the millions ? And yet such
person. if by misfortune he has at any time within
obliged to depend upon friendship charity is ex-
! cluded from the shores of the United States.
81 do not propose to enlarge this subject. I
regard this bill OF the fruits of the proscrip-
tive feeling which is just now pervadg this country
know it is popular and know it is sweeping like
hurricane from end of the country TO the
other but it is in conflict with the fundamental
principles of our system of government, and am
willing to oppose my hand 10 it, and await the time
when there shall be reaction in the public sent-
ment as | know there will be. l want the gentle
men of this House to know that, if they vote for
this BILL they draw distinction between the poor
and the rich and allow only the latter class come
nor can they come except with a pass in their
hands, like negro going from one plantation to
another"
At this point Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, interrupted
Mr.. Breckenridge, and after a short collOquy the
latter proct eded:
Il will close with accomplishing what Twas about
to say when interrupted by the gentleman
from Ohio. l want this House to remember that
this is a bill which requires every human being who
emgrates to these shores TO obtain certificate that
he Is not blind nor insane diOtic, poor,
has been so for five years preceding his application
for such certificate, making exception in favor of
those blind who have property sufficient to support
! themselves. and excluding those, whatever may be
their qualifications otherwise, who have not proper
| ty am opposed to it; and having explained my
views of the bill, l am perfectly willing for the
House to vote on It." Congressional Globe, vol 80,
3Sd Congress I'd session, p. llSl)
1t is also proper to add that owing TO the above
forcible remarks of Mr.. Breckenridge, Mr.. Went
worth's amendment was defeated on the final vote.
ABOLITION RESISTANCE TO THE Law IN WISCONSIN,
The Milwaukee Sentinel of the 29th ult says a second
attempt to arrest SHERMAN NJ. BOOTH was made a
few days previous, but he was projected by an
armed force of sixty-twO men, who threatened the
lives of the officers and prevented them from execut
ing the law The Sentinel add:
The Marshals went for the purpose of arresting
fugitive, but were prevented by mob of armed
fanatics, Outnumbering them twelve to one, banded
together to set at defiance the laws of the country
and the Government of the United States. If ever
L - l.gG,