Piney Woods planter., 1839-12-28
From the FelicianG Republican.
NATURALIZATION.

/ IVA Oh ALlAA lOIS.
Mn. EDIToR--
In the present number, propose TO in
quire. whether The Constitution gives
Congress the power to repeal the natnra
llzatlon laws, 50 as TO preclude foreigners
from the privilege of admission to the
rights of citizenship.
Every good and upright sitizen will ad-
init, that this is question of cardinal i'm
portance. Constitutions never we're in
tended TO operate, and never can operate,
as talisman, or an incautaton. The
best republican constitution. that ever
was framed by human wisdom, con save a
country from The worst despotism, only so
far as its provisions are understood, and
reduced TO pra ,tice. Hence, the prsser-
ratioa of The constitution from every en-
croachment becomes paramount duty.
II any one item Of this document may be
violated, because portion think it unrise
and inerpedient, the same rule will apply
to every other item; and thus, for all
practical purposes, that document might
as well not exist.
Besides. every citizen stands pledged,
either expressly, or BY necessary impica
ton, to preserve the Constitution; and
therefore, he cannot consent TO any viola
ton of that instrument without being
guilty ola moral wrong. These princi-
pics are influenced photographed posi-
lion. and are equally applicable to every
citizen of these United States. There
are peculiar reasons, however, why the
Slareholding States should feel a special
interest in maintaining the Constitution,
and holding Congress to strict construc-
tion of the mutual compact. 1t is most
obvious, that such course is indispensa-
BILE, not to the prospesity merely, but abb
solutely to the very existence of our do.
mestic institutions. Consequently, every
violation of the Constitution, no matter
how trivial, and every effortt to Grace
f-"'n the mind an ahidino conXiction, oft;
paramount authority, is, IN effect (thougt
1 it may moi have been so intended, a blow
/ struck in favour of the wild and dsorgan
izing schemes of the sanguinary abolitio
mist.
Fully impressed with
these important truths, and remember.
ing that all the powers of Congress are
deriped from the Constitution. and de.
pendent upon it-that Congress has Gbso-
lutely no power, except what is expressly
delegated in the Consstution--let US
proceed to examine, what that document
saws on the subject of naturalization.
Article l. section 8. enac's among O.
Their things, that "Congress shall have
power-To ESTABLISH inform rule
of naturalization"
Previous to the adoption OF the Consti-
tuition, each State within its own limits
exercised exclusive jurisdiction over this
subject. But as the Constitution enact
4 ed, that-e'Thc citizens. of each State
shall be entitled to all privileges and inn
.nunities Of citizens in the several States"
\ --and as the naturalization laws Of the
different States were very far from being
uniform, there was manifest necessity
of giving to Congress the power--NOT
ITO ABOLISH the eristing practice Of
admitting aliens to citizenship, but-"to
ESTABLISH uni form rnle Of naturali-
xation." Thus, il is most obvious, that
the whole power, which Congress pos
sesses over this subject, grew out Of the
existing practice of naturalization BY the
States and nothing can poasibly be
palmer, than that the language,in in which
tha! power was conferred on Congress by
the States. implied, and, therefore, does
still imply, that the practice was to be
continued, NOT ABOLISHED. Other
wise, there could be no comprehensive
meaning in giving Congress the ''power
to ESTABLISH a uniform rule of natu-
raization."
That power to regulate an existing
practice so as to hdrmonise and render
uniform the rarious conflicting statutes
pertaining thereto, is not a power TO s6ol-
ish that practice, seems, at least TO my
mind, too obvious to need argument.
And, have no doubt, that, had the first
Congress, which assembled under the
Constitution, claimed the power to abolish
the practice of naturalization, it would
have excited general alarm, and perhaps
have sounded The death-kneIl of the Uni
on. The Republican and State-rights-
men of that day would not have brooked
the asurpation Of a poWer to DESTROY,
where they had only granted a po,rcr TO
REGULATE.
For these reasons, ! I'm fully atislied
that Congress has no Constitutional pow
or to abolish naturalization, II | ami
right here, then, every true patriot, eve-
~ lover Of national and constitutional lib
prty, every friend of our free institutions,
and especiaIlylcpery friend Of die SOUTH
should set his lace immoveabfy against
.lI attempts 70 induce Congress q take