Speech #460095986

I shall proceed to consider first tregistry law of lhg4. then I desire. for o few moments. to engage the attention ttf both lasryers and laymon upon this floor as to the provisions of this act in certain relecr. Section a of the act of 1874. after providing for a registry of voternI will here rer. before I proceed with my argument. to the very best autboritywo could have upon this suhjctthe democratic members of the election committee of the hose of repro. sentalises. In the Daily Legislative Record of tre session of 1877. page 1496. the rights of a voter are nest clearly laid down in the ritoit of the gentlemen composing the democratic side of the election committee. and I desire to refresh their recollection. as well the recollection of the gentlemen on this sidoo the House. as towliat they then thought one year ago constitautel the right to voteas to what constituted the proper exercises of the elective franchise. and as to how they regarded the registry law. "The right to vote is not a natural right. it is not a puroly artifinial right created by positive law. and conterted only upon a stall portion of the population It is withheld front or rather not granted to women. minors. and per. sons of foreign birth not naturalized. rond until she recent amendment to the Fed. oral Constipatioi. i many of the States could notbe exercised by persons of color. whether of Indian or African descent. though native born." The right of fruanchiso is created and conferred by written law. and it is to be exercised in accordance wilth the law of its creation. The late under which the voter claims to exercise the elective franchise requires fip inspector and judges to do thus and so. Everybody understands that the principal object of the registry laws is to preserve tire pUrity of tke ballht.box.