The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-18

tive, judicial ana executive power resides IN, and
rightfuly belongs to, the native citizen; and that
so far these powers are eSercsedby the MAJ
turalized citizens they are grants blythe native.
We have in general terms exhibited some OF The
reasons why these powers ought not to be granted
to naturazed citizens at all; Of course from what
we have said, these grants should be restricted by
the closest limitations, and upon terms the result
of experience, and of a wise and judcious fore
sight.
This Association is formed, first, to obtain a
repeal of the naturalization law. This follows
naturally from what we have said; but as this is
purely question Of political expediency and eco
nomy, we will for the present waive its dis
cusslon, referring only TO the multitude of facts
and reasonngs with which this paper has been
filled since its commencement, and to the history
of the day, for the grounds on which we rest this
article.
Second-To exclude foreigners from office
This has been the great bone Of contention, and
has subjected our cause to more obloquy and
misrepresentation than all else that we have said
or done.
In vain have we on all proper occasions ex-
planned that use the word foreigners here in
its legitimate sense, as meaning those who are not
citizens. In vain have we endeavored to show
that our objects are prospective, and are not de-
signed to affect those who have avaed them
selves of our laws Of naturalization. We must
expect to be misrepresented. So long as it is
the interest of many to excite jealousies and
heartburnings against us--so long the natural-
zed citizen shall retain his affection for the land Of
his fathers, and his regard for his native tongue
so long as he shall hoard up his means to bring
his kindred, and hope to allure his friends
so long as he shall seek to sustain the present
system of Legislation on this subect-so long as
the foreigner who has obtained place and emolu-
ment among us-so long as Europe shall send
out her army of agents and contractors to fore
stall the market, and undersel the native and ma
turalizea citizen-so long as her merchants l4ope
to retain footing in this land; or her politicians
and statesmen, her lords and monarchs view with
dstrust the successful experiment of self-legsla-
ton the results of which are exhibiting
to the World-so lcng the Press of this coun-
try is supplied by hired foreigners, and its mighty
power welded by them, we must expect to have
our language, our motives and our acts viliied
msrepresented and perverted.
Still we claim the right to know our own
meaning, and though slowly, we will endeavor
TO make that meaning understood throughout the
country NE use the word foreigner in contra
distinction to the word citizen. Our opponents
would make us use it as generic word, embrac-
ing all those who are not nafiyes. Alien would
not convey our idea so well; for we mean to en-
brace in it not only the alien but that intermediate
state Of purgation, which is yet interposed be-
tween the period when the alien declares his in
tention to become citizen, and that at which he
steps forth freeman.
When then we say we will endeavor to exclude
foreigners from office, we mean all those who
are not under our laws citizens and none others.
At the same time we do not mean to keep back
any portion of our feelings on this subject We
would greatly prefer to see every Office filed by
native citizens. 1t is right, it is just it is rea-
sonabe that it should be SO. If we would have
national feeling in this country, if we would be
.'like band of brothers joined,' we must cult
waite this feeling. IL throughout this broad land
we would know only Americans, and speak only
English, and legislate only for the good and glory
of the People, and administer the laws with strict
impartiality, frmness, vigor and intelligence, we
must have no divided interests, we must have no
foreign customs engralted on our own, we must
have no laws patched up from the fragments Of
European legislation, and we must have no offices
filled with the mnons of kingly power, execu-
ting their duties with the dark and misty preju-
dices of their birth; nor with wild fanatics who
would establish individual supremacy above So
cial order.
Still we do not combine to do this. We do moi
mean, nor will we be induced as an Association,
nor will we permit ourselves to be driven into any
concerted opposition to those who, under our
laws, are capable Of holding Office. On this sub
ect we hold ourselves individually free to act ac-
cording to the dictates OF our conscience and our