Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-05-04

Constitution which we have sworn to support Fol
whom, sir, and by whom, was this Government
Formed? Who were to be the benefciaries under
itf And, above all, sir, by whom was its delicate
machinery to be regulated? The preamble to the
Constitution Of the United States declares that
awe, the people of the United States, in order 10
form more perfect Union, establish justice insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common de-
tense, promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States Of America"
Chief Justice Taney in delivering the opinion OF
the court in the celebrated case of Drcd Scott ~.
Sandford, having this preamble under consideration,
analyzng its every word, in order TO arrive ut its
accurate meaning uses this language: "The words
people of the United States and citizens are sy-
nonynfous terms and mean the same thing" Then,
sir according to this the highest judicial authority
known TO the laws, the Constitution under which
we live and under which our Government is now
being conducted, was made by and for the citizens
of the United States. The representation on this
floor and in the Senate with the exception of that
arising from three-ths of our slaves is of the cit-
zens of the Unised States and not of the inhaJitans
The republican form of government established was
that OF representative republic, rejecting the will
and representing the interests of the citizens of the
United States, by which is meant the native-born
and naturalized citizens, by whom and for whom
the Government was established; and this is be-
yond question the republican form of government
guaranteed by the Constitution to all the States.
Taking this TO be the true intent and meaning of
our Constitution-and do not think il can be sue
cessiully controverted--is any State government
republican in form which admits to the right of
suffrage foreign-born men who have not been ma
turalized? | think not, sir. Admit the principle
and follow it TO its logical conclusion. At the
present rate of immigration to our country-and
at,ll.
the shape of homesteads are held out to them-t is
not impossible, nay, sir, it is very probable they
may in many of the Congressional districts out
number the native-born and naturaized citizens
And they can, and no doubt will elect Representa-
tives, who will stand upon this floor the peer of
every other member, rejecting the will and doing
the bidding of foreign element, which owes the
Government no allegiance; Of persons who could
not be convicted of treason, who are not bound to
defend the Government nor is the Government
bound to protect them Sir il is yiolative of the
spirit OF our Constitution and dangerous to the best
interests of our common country, thus to permit a
foreign element to niuse itself into our fabric of
Government exercising control over every de-
rIrtment of it. And under this constitution unna-
turalized inhabitants may not only by their votes
place members upon this foor-for by the Consti-
tuition Of the United Stlteseth same electors who
vote for members to the most numerous branch of
the State Legislature elect the Representative in
Congress-but they may be members of the pro-
posed State Legislature, and elect United States
Senator, who may, and no doubt will, represent
foreign interests, antagOnistic to own; and the
Senator so elected may he called on TO mtify or re-
iect treaties made with the very Governments TO
whom those who elevated him to place owe fealty
and obedience
Can ii be pretended that this is a republican form
of government in the sense in which it is used in
our Consutution2 | think not, sir. ] hold it to be
dangerous in a form of government like ours, where
the entire sovereignty is reposed in the people, TO
permit any one to participate in the election of its
rulers or legislators but those who bound 10 de-
tend and protect it, and either natiye-born or
regularly naturazed citizens. Sir in effect you
had as well open poll in Dublin or Hamburg. In
that instance, you would carry the baot-box to the
voter; in this, you bring the voter to the ballot
box. In both, the result is the same-you receive
the reflected will of a voter not citizen OF the
country in whose government he proposes to par
ticipale II our naturalization laws require, in the
estimation of honorable members, period of proba-
ton which is too long, repeal them; and if in your
judgments, six months residence is sufficient
within which time they may become voters and
legislators so declare by law; do not permit it TO
be thus evaded under color Of proposed State con-
s!itution. Andhere, sir wouldagain ask permission
TO read from the same report of my distinguished
predecessor on the admission of Oregon, fully and
freely endorsing the views therein contained:
"There is single point in the constitution of
Oregon against which he feels it his duty to enter
his solemn protest He alludes to the clause allow
ing unnaturazed aliens 10 vote for members of the
Legislature. He regards this clause vioative Of
the fundamental principle of the Constitution of the
tnltOd States II cannot be doubted that such alien
electors thereby to be regarded at once intro
duced as component part of the sovereign power
controHSg the Federal Government. They thereby
become, according to all practical usage, electors of
Representatives to Congress-eectors of those who
choose United States Senators, and hold tho power
to determine the electors of President and. Vice
President of the United States Thus to the body
of aliens so introduced into the body polite is given
direct or indirect power of control every de-
partment of the Federal Government. This, he
respectfully but earnestly submits is subversiye of
the very foundation idea of the Government itself
"The Constitution of the United States was es-
tablished by Hs people or citizens Of the United
States for their orn benefit and that of those who
are to come after them, and not for the benefit of
fore gners owing allegiance 10 the
Government, and not bound 10 defend H. 1t was
ratified by the States; and they are bound to OBJ
serve and respect its principles The first clause in
the Constitution is The following declaration;
awe, the people of the United States in order TO
form more perfect union establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common de-
fense and secure the blessings Of liberty TO oselUes
uftd POo'tVi hO tctNbllSu lulS NOu-
stitution for the United States of America
"The undersigned would call attention to the
words 'the people, The Supreme Court, in the
bred Scott decision interpreting this clause Of the
Constitution, expressly declares
90 The words "the people of the United States
and "citizens" are synonymous terms, and mean the
same thing They both describe the poiGcal body
who, according TO our republican institutions form
the sovereignty aud who hold the power and con
duct the Government through their representatives
They are what we famiarly call the sovereign peo-
pie; and eDery citizen is one Of this people, and a
constituent member Of this sovereignty.
"That is, the Constitution, where it says 'tho
people, means the citizens and that every citizen
is u constituent member of the body-poltc who
form the sovereignty, hold the power and conduct
the Government through their representatives,
But does this exclude unnaturalized foreigners?
Unqucstionabls IL docs. The court continues.
"'The Constitution has conferred ON Congress
the right to establish uniform rule of naturalza-
tion, and this right is evidently exclusive, and has
ALWAYS been held by this court TO be So Conse-