Session #46 · 1879–81

Speech #460009870

If to escape the terrors of Ludlowstrcst jail they surrendered their rights as American citizeus and made thepromiso thus exacted. as the great majority of necessity did. they were released upon their own recognizance. If they did nt. they were held to hail. If they had voted. although if not properly naturalized such v oto was an additional offense instead of a palliation for the crime charged against them. they were immediately released. After sundown. swhen the polls were closed and it was too late for any one to vote. the doors appear to have been thrown open and all set at liberty. Of all thus arrested at that time but one was ever tried. and he was acquitted. and acquitted upon a ground that established the innocence of all. Suchlaws are a disgrace to the civilization of the age. An election where the voters are allowed to vote only one way is a cheat and a fraud. The other side of this House can declaim loudly against "1intimidation" when a southerin colored man is the supposed subject. but calmly behold an officer of the Federal Government. surrounded by the badges of authority and hundreds of subalterns and minions ready to do his bidding. arrest and imprison thousands. deprive them of the elective franchise. "intimidate" the entire foreign vote by contesting naturalization papers and arresting all who attempt to vote thereon. and they enter no protest. but will "starve the Government" to save the law. It will be a grand step in the right direction when the republican party can see and respect the rights of a German or Irishman to the same extent they do those of a negro. Some minor objections are made because these conditions of repeal are attached to appropriation bills.
Keywords matched
naturalized naturalization

Classification

Target group
Also mentioned
Germans Irish
Sentiment
Negative
Stereotyping
No
Confidence
90%
Model
gemini-2.0-flash
Framing
Legal / procedural Criminal

Speaker & context

Speaker
GIBSON ATHERTON
Party
D
Chamber
H
State
OH
Gender
M
Date
Speech ID
460009870
Paragraph
#0
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