The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1837-09-23


proer the Of your columns to, and invite discuss
sion Of the principles which govern the Native Amer
can Party. 'Tis subject on which much difference
Of opinion prevails anil in entering the list sincerely
hope that, should any of opposite opinion UNI
dertake reute my arguments that their communca-
tons may be marked with the spirit Of forbear-
anee and moderation which intend shall govern NINE
am willing, far my feeble abilities will admit
to endeayor in an open, fair and gentlemany manner
TO explain the principles which actuates the Native
American Party. But should any other course he
adopted by my antagonist without yielding one part-
Gle of my principles faith in the justice Of the cause
shall yield him the entire field and retire from the
arena.
The first and great object of the Native American
Party, is TO produce change in the naturalization
laws of the United States believing as they do they
are entirely inadequate for the purposes for which they
were formed They predicate this opinion upon the
vast increase Of foreigners, and the and avdity
by and with which they become citizens Of the United
States.
TO those who have not paid immediate attention to
the vast increase of emgrantsthe number that yearly
land our Atlantic shores-would appear almost in
credible and all who arrive 10 the country, in the
same ratio for few years to be allowed to obtain
citizenship upon the facilities granted, it would
be found that the natnralized citizens would compose
the greatest proportion Of voters, and that the
tive born American citizen would be :. a stranger in
the land of his BIRTH"
One ofihe natural and predominant passions Of man
is power and the naturalized citizens increase in
numbers they would want power in proportion their
numbers. They they now enjoy privileges equal to-,
and in instances superior to native born citizens
cannot be denied; and how much further they might
extend these privileges, should il be in their power,
is fearful to contemplate
When we look around, and see the happy and pros
porous condition OF our country at peace with all the
world, her . StarSpanged Banner borne in triumph
over the most distant portion Of the globehe national
debt extincs-her treasury Overlooking, and flooding
back upon the States their respective quotas of the
surplus revenues to be applied purposes Of internal
Improvements and public education, who can but ex-
ult and exclaim,
.Ths is my own, my native land!"
When the government Of the United States was first
framed il deemed only experimental, and doubts
were entertained for its duraby but the virtue and
intelligence of those patriotic sires, who achieved the
victories Of Bunker Hill, Yorktown and Monmouth,
achieved another and more glorious victory in
tanning through and storms of opposition and en-
Ibarrassmens, the glorious fabric of government.
And when they had the ark placed with safety in
the hands Of their descendants, and the nhertors of
the storm, one by gathered to the tomb where
"-SIeeps the ave, who sink to rest,
BY all their country's wishes blest."
principles Of liberty, for which they had fought and
bied, covered the fare Of the civilized globe.
We have witnessed the height which party spirit
has aainedwe have had local and sectional feelings
to arise, and for while threaten the destruction Of
g
troubled sea- have again sunk in the love Of nsti
tuons which pervaded the hearts of their compatrios
| This might be considered depression. but they are
sentiments which naturally must and will arise, in the
bosom Of every true lover Of his country In nex
we will endeavor to conform more Immediately to oui
ext and explain the object for which first took pen
sin hand. A NATIVE AMERICAN.
The following Memorial to Congress has been a
dopted by the New York Native American Genera
| Committees
TO the Honorable the Senate and hosse Of Representative
in COnevess assembled.
tbs PhTITioN Of the undersigned, Native American
Citizens, and others, respectfully sheweth:
That whereas consider the indiscriminate intro
duciion Of foreigners into county, evil Of such
fearful magnitude, that, unless timely checked, Blu,
little hope will be left 70 cheer the patriot that Con.
stuon, the palladium Of our liberties, can longer re-
main untouched by the rude hand Of violence or the
unhallowed hand of despotsm. This is no party cues
ton. It's one vitality affecting every individual who
lwould wish to this fair fabric Of American In
dependence crumble into dust before the whitening in
fuence of foreign intrigue The present naturalization
laws oppose barrier to the encroachment Of foreg,
influence which is hostile 10 the permanency Of on
free institutions, and will in the end inevitably destroy
our Government. Under the now existing laws all for
egners, whatever their moral or political character
entitled after residence OF five years in this country
be admitted to all tho rights and privileges OF Nstiy
Citizens. Crimes, which if committed by an America
Citizen, would disfranchise him, form no objection
the foreigner becoming an elecor and eligible TO Office
The pauper, the Ignorant and the profgate Of Europe
are fockng TO our shores by thousands and tens
Thousands, loading people with taxes TO support III
one class couptng them with the demoralizng ex an
pies Of the other and sturbng the organization of
tical power among the several States Your Petition
ers believe that foreigner whose character is nc
good at home, ought to be permitted to polue, wit
his footsteps this sacred soil, nor ought our Citizens
be burhened with the support Of foreign paupers TIL
term Of five years is too short period ia our opinion
for the foreigner to be mbued with proper respect 70
onr laws. sufficiently to understand the principles
!, our government or the genius OF our people.
Your Petitioners do most respectfully pray You
Honorable Body, that the naturalization laws may b
90 altered and amended that hereafter all foreigners
who not naturaized at the time of such alteration
oramendment. shall be required to reside within thu
United States al least years before being per
mitted to exercise The elective franchise or be egbl.
TO Office and not even then if be proved that they
have been guilty Of any crime, the conviction Of which
would disfranchise an American Citizen.
Your Petitioners also pray that Congress may pass
some law requiring Of all foreigners, before they are
permitted to land on shores, that they produce
the proper authority the certificate Of American
Consul, residing at the place from whence they
emgrate, certifying to their good moral character,
companied with passport signed by such Consul
IL -. l.as-