The native American., 1838-11-03
THE NATIVE AMERICAN.
COMMUNICATED FROM NEW ORLEANS.


1t will now be my object to seek to illustrate
aohat that ch ange should be, and to endeayor to
explain why differ in opinion with those who be-
lieve that mere extension of the probationary
period of naturalization, to tcentyone gears, will
be suti clent TO remove the foreign evils under
which we at present labor, and to prevent their
increase in future.
For my own part, SO help ,ne God, solemn
ly and conscientously believe, that nothing but
an entire repeal and final termination of the whole
system of foreign naturalization i'll the United
States, will preserve our beloved Republic from
civil commotion, for even the short space of the
next twenty years.
81 satisfied am | of this fact, that cannot but
rel oice that the naturalization laws were not chan
ged at the last session Of Congress; for the conse-
quent delay has enabled us to bestow more ma
ture reflection, and to watch more closely the cur
rent of events; and | have no doubt that you, as
we'll as myself and all others who have pondered
deeply on this subject, have long, ere this, come
to the conclusion that in petitioning Congress on
the subject of naturalization, Native Americans
hav heretofore asked too little, and that we should
forth with demand the only remedy which can
save our country, and that is, the entire repeal OF
the naturalization laws, no2c and foreuer
1t appears to be rather hard matter to move
Congress to do any Thing which Native Amer-
cans only (as such) solicit.
1t would seem from past experience to be much
more easy for an Association of Foreigners
Poles, Irish, Swiss, or Gernans-to obtain an
act of Congress in their behalf, than it is for an
"Assocation," consisting wholly of Native Anne
ricans to accomplish their wishes. ..
This is striking proof of the powerful foreign
influence which already predomnates in the Uni
ted States, but so far from lettering US from ac-
- IL rolo IL
eXertons.
We have received from our forefathers sacred
trust; our wisest and best have toiled and strug-
gled through every turmoil, danger, and suffering,
to achieve it. A Washington, a Jefferson, and
an Adams-parlots and sages, have torewarned
us OF the balctul consequences of foreign influence
in the United States. Let us emulate their noble
example, and strive to transmit those blessings
which they have bequeathed to us, unarnished
and unendangered, to future generations.
In applying to Congress for relief, it is as easy
to ask aH 'rs neei, alad NEST ercntualy haze, as
to solicit part only; and if Congress has duly re-
fected Oh the subject, we surely cannot be disap-
pointed.
If we merely obtain an extension ofhe period
OF naturalization to t}reny-one gears, we leave
the door open for continuance of all the evils
under which we at present labor.
tend the period of naturalization to twenty y-one
years, and should our request be granted, in less
than one year we will discover that not the slight
est good has been accomplished by the measure.
1t will be just easy for foreig igners after three
days residence IN the United States, to obtain
proof of their having been here the requisite term
Ii the naturalization laws require twenty-one
years-as it is for them 10 do so nooc, when those
laws require but five years And you may rest
assured that torei igners experience no difficulty in
proving any thing which they may desire to prove.
They are never at a loss for testimony when they
come into collision with native born Americans.t
A foreigner who has to wait but fue years ere
he can be naturalized, sometimes, though very re-
luctanuy, makes out to endure the delay; but
change the naturalization laws to t1centy-one
years, and every hour will be to him all age, and
every artfice which he employ will be en-
listed to curtail the probationary period and from
the avowed and open hostility Of all foreigners
(whether naturalized or aliens) to such change,
it follows that they will all be banded together to
evade, nullify, overthrow such a law, and con-
sequentlwour Courts, from one end of the United
States to the other, will be but one extended thea
tire of fraud, corruption, and per ury. Heart
burnngs and animoslties will be perpetually en-
gendered and the most bitter and memorable ma
Lightly, and the most uncompromisng hostility
will be the result, and never more may we hope
to see that union and congenialty of feeling on
which the happiness and perpetuty of our Re-
public depends. We will have annually Just as
many thousands added to our nauralized popula-
ton as we have at present; and we will soon dis
cover that we have derived no real benefit from
the change. This will compel us to apply again
to Congress, which, while it subjects us to the
sneers and reproaches of our enemies, will appear
to evince want of foresight and will institute a
doubt of the soundness of our judgment on this
subject.
Congress may reply to our petitions hereafter
through some her members (of whom mourn
to discover there a few who believe foreign
ers born to be better patriots than Native Amer-
cans: ''I on asked an extension of the probation
ary period of naturalization from five to twenty
one years, and expressed your belief that that
cnahge only was necessary, and at the same time
all-suiilcient to meet your views, and render our
country secure and happy We granted your
request, and now you ask for more. If you were
in error at first, as to the necessary requisites for
relief of supposed evil, you may have been
equally in error III opinion to the existence Of
that evil, or you may be as much in error as to
the actual necessity Of the changes which you nop