Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-09-02
JUDGE WOODWARD ON FOREIGNERS.

| - HiOtioh was LuduS Uy MI MaSSe. Ol
ry county, That the Convention proceed at
this time to the second reading and consider
alton ofresolution No. As, in the words fol-
lowing, viz:
Resotred, That Committee be appointed to
| inquire into the expedieDcy of so amending
the Constitution of Pennsy ivania, as to pro-
mott the future emigration into this state of
free persons of color and fugitive slaves, from
other States and territories.''
''Mr. Thomas, of Chester county, moved to
amend the same by inserting between the
words .'ot'' and ssfree'' in the third line, the
word ''toreigners.''
Mr.. George W. Woodward, of Luzerne
county, moved to amend the amendment by
adding thereto, the words
'sAnd that the said committee be also in
structed to inquire into the propriety OF so
amending the Constitution. as to prevent any
| foreigners who may arrive in this State after
the Fourth of July, 1871, from acquiring the
| right to vote or hold office in this common
Wealth.
Mr.. Woodward supported his amendment,
as follows: (See Pr. and Deb. on Penn'a.
Con-, 1879
Mr. Woodward said, that he had not antici-
pated this morning that an opportunity would
| be presented to introduce this subject, to the
notice of the Convention he was not there
fore, prepared at this time to say more than a
| very few words; although it was subject
which had been on his mind for long time
past and had claimed his serious considera-
| ton.
have long felt desire, said Mr.. W, that
something should be done IN relat ion to it
that the facts should be investigated and that
some proper and efficient measures should be
adopted, if, upon that investigation, it should
turn out that measures of any kind were re-
quiste.
Sir, appreciate much as any man living,
the many political rights and privileges which
l, in common with the people of the Unit ed
States, are now enjoying, and it is my honest
| impression that We do but squander those
privileges in comforting them upon every in
dividual who chooses to come and claim them
| He knew that great portion of those who
| came among US from foreign countries consist
frequently of the worst part of the population
of those countries, that they are unacquainted
with the value of these privileges, and that,
| therefore, they do not know how to value
! them. l think that in thus comforting indis-
| criminatey upon all, we are doing injury TO
| our liberties and our institutions and | be-
| lieve that, if the time has not yet come it will
| speedily come, when it win be indispensbly
necessary either for this body some other
| body of this state, or of the United States, to
| inquire whether it is not right to put some
| plan into execution by which foreigners should
| be prevented from controlling our elections,
| and brow beating our American citizens at
| the polls.
| AT the time the constitutions of 1.-THE United
| States was formed, it was necessary to pro-
mote emigration. The population of our
| country was wasted BY long war, and it was
| necessary to hold out inducements to foreign
ers to come here. But times have greatly
| changed within the last few years. The rea-
son and the necessity for extending this in
| diligence to EN- igrants have ceased. Besides
this, it is to be considered that there are other
| inducements in the climate, and in the natur-
| al advantages of the country to prevail upon
| them to come here, without adding to them
| the incentive OF office. In expressing these
sentiments, Mr.. Chairman, l wish it to be un-
/
| foreigners, entertain no feeling of unkind
ness towards them, from whatever part of the
world they may come, would do any
| thing which should have tendency to pre-
scribe them from coming. We have many
very estimable men among them /; and do
| not propose in my amendments to take any
| thing away from them. l merely wish that
a committee should inquire, wether it is COM
petent tor us to introduce provision int the
constitution of the kind have mentioned, to
| take effect after a certa in date, long dis
tant that all future emigrants may know what
their privileges are to be. before they leave
ther own country. My proposition is not in.
| tended, nor will it operate, retroapectiveIy
| it effects no one now here, and no who
may be on his way here. 1t looks exclusively
to the future. What valid objections car
there be to the inquiry Why should We
throw open these great political privileges tc
every species of character that may light on
our shores Are these privileges of such
little value, that we do not deem them worth
protection or defence Have they no CLAIM
upon our feeiings-no claim upon our affec
tions Have they not been won in many a
well fought field Are all the treasure and
| the blood which have been poured forth for
the attainment of these privileges, to bt
regarded as nothing I? Have they not beer
bequeathed to us by those who sacrificed al
they had no earth to secure them Are they
not truly and empbatically our most precious
legacy And what claim have foreigner
from any country-sye: sir, from any country