The native American., 1837-08-10

iaoorers 1eW," and looking with commission on the
ehsiaVed Of other lands, they flung wide their doors,
ana opened an asylum for the oppressed Of all nations;
ana, as an additional inducement they determined in
The exuberance OF their joy confer on all who should
ask lor men, rights and liberties equal with their own
\ Whether this policy was strictly consonant with the
character OF the emlgrants Of the times in which il was
S1 put IN practice, or not one thing is certan-expe-
rience has proven it to be entirely incongruous with
the character Of the emigrants Of the present dav.
Unlike their predecessors, who demeaned themselves
with becoming Difference for the laws, and received
the favor with grateful emotions, they seem to regard
It, not favor, but asa right which their fathers
have acquired, with their sacrifices, their prvations and
tell, and with, their own bood;-looking upon us
as no than joint heirs with them, because our
ancestors who these blessings were from foreign
lands. The Normans and Saxons of the present day
would claim, with equal propriety the rights and i'm
nunities of native subjects Of the British crown -
Hero brief history Of our naturalization laws will,
perhaps, not be misplaced:
The first law the subject was passed in 1890
nnder which, residence Of only two years in the United
States, and testimonials of good character were su-
cien This was very soon discovered to be easy;
and five years after it went into operation it was re-
peaed, and the law of 1895 substituted, requiring
residence of five years in the United States and two in
the State where admitted and application to be
made three years prior to admittance
Just at this time the affairs of Europe, and our
foreign relations, such excite in the father of
his country the well grounded fear foreign influence
against the baneful effects of which he warned his
countrymen in his farewell address the succeeding
year. Q796.) with the most earnest solictude
against the insidious wles' says he, of foreign
:" influence, q conjure you TO believe me, fellow-c-
zens) the jealousy Of free people ought to be
stanty awake; since history and experience prove,
that foreign influence is Of the most baneuI foes
g of Republican Government
To guard against such influence, and tocheck the
growth Of foreign population already becoming trou-
blesome the law Of 1898 was passed, which required
the alien to be resident Of the United States for four
teen years, five years resident Of the State where
admitted and application to be made five years pre-
vious to his admitance, But, alas! this sautary law
was Of. short duration. Its enactment had been too
long deferred, and the warning voice of Washington
had been raised in vain. Already that banefu influence
which he deprecated, had pervaded all the ramifcatons
Of our country, and the hghtng mildew Of party spirit
had settled upon the councils Of the nation.
The hero Of Mount Vernon slept with his fathers;
and in 1909 this wholesome law Of 1898 repealed,
and that of 1895, with slight notifications, was
vived. The law of 1902 has undergone but little
amendments; none for the better; generally for the
worse. And the laws in force require residence
Of only fire years in the United States, single year in
the State where admitted, and application to be made
but two years previous to admttance.
The despots of Europe who wish for the subversion
Of Government desire greater facilities to
effect it than naturalization laws afford. How easy
is it for them to send their minions become citizens
and by intTiUue and to
Of tho public presses and in process of tme of all the
important posts of authority. That this scheme has
been for years in operaton there be but little
doubt
The reasons for naturalization laws have ceased
And when the reason ceases the law also--according
to ancient law maxim-should cease. The emigra-
| ton from Europe is enormous. The number of
foreigners who arrived in the United States during the
year 1920, was $40; the number by vessels the
principal ports during 1896, 1926, but it must
have been near 100000 throughout the country ncud
ing those who over land from Canada. In the first
quarter Of 1886, there arrived in New York 2,lS8 FIR
ea engrant; and in the first quarter of 1887, $780,
not including those who landed. at Amboy. Thus we
that the increase is truly alarming. But, if such
population desirable such inducements now, as
our naturalization laws, were unnecessary. We, how
ever, have longer need Of foreign aid improve our
country 1t IS no longer in its infancy, bat has attain
ed to the Of full and perfect manhood and we
trust to years Of discretion. Time has settled down
the ervor Of that JOY kindled by nations birth,
into the desire for the solid enjoyment Of the blessings
Of that great and glorious event The of feel
ing has passed away; the reality remains. Those
thy foreigners who with the native patriots of the
revolution, breasted the storm Of war, and, with them,
shoulder to shoulder, advanced against the common
foe, have also, with them, nearly all passed away, and
their children native Americans, enjoying the rich
heritage won by their valor r
| We would not, however, close doors against the
oppressed. The cradle Of liberty shall receive them.
The broad egis Of country shall them; and
the star-spangled banner shall wrap them in its ample
folds All. the protection of our laws shall be extend
ed to them to ourselves in person and property.
They may come to us strangers and guests but not
as Legislators or rulers.
What, let us for moment inquire is the character
Of the foreigners who emgrate to the United States at
the present dayl We do not deny that there are good