The native American., 1838-09-01

'o'i'PoSS ahy PaA' " 'A'S 'No'.'
lation; butt sir, il is well-authenticated fact, that
within the last FIVE years many thousands of that
description have been transported direct from the
poor-houses Of Europe to the continent Of America
at expense of several millions of dollars to the
British Government.
''Sir, while indulge no morbid apprehension
for the future, yet, if you adopt the principles OF
this bill, | cannot but anticipate the most disas-
trous consequences to our country. Sir, from the
appalling disclosures which each day develops, It
remains for this people to determine whether u
will be wise, Just or even safe. to open this flood
gate OF Uice and corrupion ofn ioience and CRIME,
which, in its demorazng effects, may corrupt
the common fountain from which flow the multi
piled blessings which our country now enjoys.
" This class of persons, sir, while they labor
under the disqualification OF alcntsm, are sup)ect
to teW civil duties f they had the capacity to DIS
charge them and, bv international laws, rs ex-
pounded by the British Government, they cannon
expatriate themselves, nor can you compe mem
to the performance of military service; and u, IN
war between this and their native country, they
are found III arms against II. they are liaole 70
condemnation, and to the punishment OF death as
traitors to their native land Sir, to show the
sense Of the British Government on this subject,
and the right as claimed by them to require the
return to their native country OF this population,
and all others, in times of peril the King OF Eng
land, on the 10th day of October, 1907, lssned
his proclamation, reclaiming from foreign service
his native subjects, in which he declared that the
kingdom was menaccd and in DANGER and he re-
called from foreign service all seamen and seaar-
ing men, who were natural-born subjects, and
ordered them to withdraw themselves and return
home, on pain of being proceeded against &c.
Here, sir, you have recognition of the power
and the exercise of the right of the King to call
home his nativc-bon subjects, wherever they may
be, and wherever they may have departed. And
now, sir, you are solicited by this bill to give to
aliens, who are liable to be recalled at the plea
sure of their King, the important privilege of
voting for all the officers of your Government
Sir, if these aliens shall act in concert, they
hitherto have done, and have no doub, will con-
tinue to do, will they not control the whole civil
and military operations Of the American people,
within very limited period! Their habits oflife
disqualify them from mingling with our citizens,
or appreciating or enjoying the free institutions
of our country; and by comforting on them pre-
maturely, privileges to which they have not been
accustomed, and the benefits of which they do not
appreciate, will you not at least hazard the per-
manency of our Government! Sir, in the past
experience Of the world, has it ever been known
that an intelligent people, emerging from state
of dependency, i'll forming for themselves and
their posterity constitution and form of govern
ment which should CONTROL in all future time,
their legislative action, have called to their aid
foreigners, aliens, persons owing allegiance to
other, and perhaps rival nations! Sir, this new
principle which we are now called upon to es-
tablish is no less dangerous than novel. At this
particular crisis, it is known to all, that in some
Of the European states there is redundant popu-
lation, particularly in England and Ireland. which
disturb the tranquility and threaten with violence
the sacred rights Of peaceful subjects and the re-
lief there deemed most effectual is transportation
to America. With view to an object SO desi-
rable to them, but which is becoming so burden
some to lis, thousands are transported to Ameri-
ca each year, at the expense Of the British Gov
ernment, and here cast upon the charity of
our people. In 1881, '33, '35, there were up
wards Of one hundred and hirty-nine thousand
foreigners landed in the city of New York, many
Of whom were Of the most ignorant, vicious, and
degraded class, depending upon charity alone for
their daily subsistence. And, sir, during four
successive days in May last, one thousand nine
hundred and seuenfy-thrce foreign emgrants
arrived in the same city; and in the month of
May last, there were Fifteen thousand eight
hundred and twenty-five arrived at the New
York quarantine ground. Now, sir, carry out
the provisions Of this bill, by similar provisions
in all the State constitutions, and upon their
arrival extend to these aliens, indiscrimnately,
the right of suffrage: and who is so dull of vision
as not to foresee the fatal effects of such mea-
sure upon our civil and religious institutions?
Upon this subject, sir, we not left to conjec-
ture alone; the design has been openly avowed,
as will appear from the following handbill, which
was literally circulated in the city of New York,
at the late charter election. 1t is in these words:
'lrishmen, TO your posts, or you will lose
America By perseverance, you may become its
rulers; by negligence, you will become its slaves
Your own country was lost by submitting to
ambitious men. This beautiful country you
may gain by being firm and united Vote
the ticket, Alexander Stewart, alderman; Edward
Flanagan for assessor-both true Irishmen.'
Here, sir, you have the objects avowed-the
subUersion of your Government, and revolution
Mark the language of this ap-
peal, and remember that it is made to Irishmen
in the city of New York, at an election for Off
rers of the city government, within which there
are probably more than one hundred thousand
foreigners"
From the earliest to the present times, there
Shn 1n, x~c L. l.