Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-12-28
The Sherifalty Question.


letting people regulate their domestic in
stitutions in their own way" and were
honest in SO doing because they believed
the doctrine to be right,lJ not sympat re
with the movement Initiated by the border
rufian faction of their party, snallin num-
bers but great in meanness, which has for
its object the virtual dislranchisement of
the 3077electors who voted for Heber Smith
for sheriff We are glad to hear it. They
understand perfectly we'll that the attempt
to cheat him out of the Office to which he
has been fairly elected, originated in the
fertile brains of drowning men who, in
their desperation, are clinging to a very
fragile straw, and che that cannot by any
possibility save them from the inevitable
fate to which the people, by the goodness
Of God, have consigned them. Hence they
will have nothing to do with the bubble
for it is no more nor less than that
which is sought to be brought into requi-
sition to foist a minority candidate upon
the people instead of one chosen by a
majority. Their manliness in the matter
is to be commended, and while as public
journalists it is our duty to hold up to
public scorn and Indignation, the men who
thus seek to thwart the will of the people,
we are happy to know that there are many
honorable exceptions in the ranks Of their
own party, who will have nothing to do
with the petty trick to which others more
INSCRIPTIONS have seen fit to resort.
That Mr.. Smith has been elected rcgu-
larly, and in conformity to all the require
ments of the law, we have never for a
single moment doubted. And though the
present incumbent may seek to emba-rass
him. which however We are 10th to believe
he will do, and notwithstanding there may
be in the minds Of the contestant, Mr.. Off,
and his feed attorney question as to the
legality of Mr.. Smiths election, yet We are
confident that every appropriated person
will look at the matter in different light,
and agree with US in the position we have
taken.
An act of Congress passed Feb. 10th,
1855, hits this case precisely. It provides:
That persons heretofore born, Or here
after to be born, out of the limits and ju-
risdiction Of the United States, achoss faith
ers rere or shall be at tie time ottleir birth,
citizens ofthe United States, shall be deem
ed and considered and are hereby declared
to be citizens of the United States: Pro
vided, however, that the right Of citizen
ship shall not descend 20 persons whose
fathers never resided in the United States u
Mr.. Smiths parents, sat the time Of
! their birth, were citizens of the United
States" and though their son was "born
out Of their limits and jurisdiction. - yet the
law above quoted makes him as good citi-
zen as though he had been born in tie
State of Wisconsin. Other laws, equally
explicit. might be cited, but the above, we
trust, will sufi:e. We publish it, not so
much for Mr. Smith sake as for the ben
eft of those who are deluded enough to
think that they can, by ONE hook or crook,
keep from him that to which by every con-
sideration of equity he is SO clearly emit
tied. We urge them to succumb to the
will of the people and not trample under
foot the individual rights of Mr., Smith, or
ignore the plainest provisions of law, and
the dictates of common decency and COM
mon sense. Gentlemen, again we say, you
had better count the cost and 'look before
| you leap