Year: 1867

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of American liberties. The law-makers of a ma


ton define who, in their estimation, are Untitled


to the privilege of the elective franchie, and


pass such enactments as will, in their Judgment,


secute this privilege to those who are rightfully


permitted to exercise ii, while at the same time


they place restrictions upon its exercise by those


who ye no claim to its benefits. Such is the


design of the Registry Law passed at the last
session Cf the Legislature of this State-to Sc


cure the right of suffrage to every voter who


chooses to avail himself of its beL its and privi-
leges, and to prevent the wholesale frauds which


in past years have often defeated the true will OF


the people, and carried elections in favor of po-


litcal ricksters who cared nothing for the inter-


ests of the country so long as their own selfish


aims were gratifed.


No good citizen 1--WE care not what his politi-


cal preferences may be,) will raise objections to


law of this nature which bears equally upon


the voters of every party. The citizen who full


iy understands the value of his privileges in a


form of government like ours, will never con-


sent to sanction illegal voting in any form, even


II by SO doing the success of his party and prn-


ciples will be assured. But unfortunately all


voters are not of this class and the logical re-


suit follows that in the past not election has


been held but in some all precincts illegal vo-
ting was attempted and often accomplished
We have known instances of men who, when


challenged at the polls, would unblushingly


swear in their votes, year after year. when in re-
aIitv they had mn riUht IN tha frap u IN


privilege than a newly imported Hottentot would


have. We have known foreign-born citizens to


vote at every election for years past who had no


papers of citizenship, but who claimed to exer-
else the privilege upon a simple discharge from
the military or naval service of the United States


others who were credulous enough to believe,
when so instructed by designing political knaves,
that simple declaration of intention was suffi-
cient to invest them with the rights of citizen.
Other instances, equally glaring, in which citi-
zens of American as well as foreign birth have
transgressed the law in this respect might be
adduced in support of what we have stated.


The haturaized citizen equally with the native
born, must admit that such proceedings are in
the highest degree censurable and inimical to
the liberties and interests of the country. Let
US suppose case as it actually occurs {: A ma
tive of some one of the countries of the Old
World wishes to escape the thralldom which for
centuries has held his conntrymen in bondage,
looks forth in the world to see where he may
cast his lot, and enjoy that liberty which is de-
MED him in the land of his birth. Across the
ocean he a country which in his estimation
surpasses all others. Its people are happy and
in the possession of their liberties
its government guarantees to all who desire its
profession, the same rights and privileges under
The law which its own natve-born citizens in
herit. He lands upon our shores, renounces his
to the country of his BIRTH and takes
every step which the law renders necessary to
become good and worthy citizen of the land
Of his adoption.


No of foreign birth who has complied |
with the requirements of the naturalization laws
md attained the elective franchise can wish to
see the same privilege exercised by aliens who, |
having the same opportunity with himself, neg
ects or refuses to pursue the required course
The road to citizenship is open to all, and he who
values its blessings so little to refuse to COM
ply with its requirements or fulfill its duties,
should not be permitted to exercise any Of its
privileges


There may be, and doubtless are instances in
which the Registry Act will work inconvenience
to rightful citizens. But such instances will be
Isolated, and will be more than balanced by the
good it will work in other ways We could
scarcely expect that a law of so much impor-
tance as this,-one destined to exercise so much
influence over future elections, would be free
from objections in the commencement of its op-
Grafton. We do believe that it is the best which
could be devised for the present time. The COM
ing election will be conducted under its provis-


ions, and it will receive fair trial. If it fails
fha iptan Aod !, tI,o
approaching campaign as guide, it may easily
be amended so as to secure to the legal voter
and none other, the greatest privilege of citizen
ship. This alone the intent of the law
which has been too generally condemned before
being fairly tested.