Butler). I agree with both of them. If you will so amend the Senate amendment as I have proposed you will extend equal protection to the great body of American citizens. native born and naturalized. black and white. The proposition of the gentleman from Illinois is eminently proper. wise. and just if the amendment be extended to all classes of citizens. as I propose. and I shall vote for it. The suggestion of the gentleman from Massachusetts in the event that the proposition shall be so amended as to include all classes of citizens. has great significance. one that the great body of the people will take care of. that electors. subject only to the limitations now imposed by the national and by State constitutions as to age and residence. shall have equal right. in the exact words of the gentleman from Massachusetts. "to be elected to the several offices." I am favorable to the proposition of the gentleman from Illinois for another reason. that this amendment of the Senate "or hold office." together with the other words of limitation "by the United States. or." which I propose to strike out. seems to Intimate for the first time by the action of the Congress that the Constitution of the United States has heretofore discriminated among naturalborn citizens as to their eligibility to the office of President. and among other citizens as to their eligibility to other offices under the Constitution of the United States.
Keywords matched
naturalized