The native American., 1839-09-14
ny-A communications for this paper should be adj
dressed to JAMES C. DUNN
CONVENTION OF NATURALIzED CITIZENS


US in National difficulties.
The individual who is the cause of this viola
ton, is British subject, who became for while
citizen OF the United States under our accom-
modating laws, and finally left us to resume his
fealty to his ancient King, and took up his resi-
dence in one of the provinces. He was one Of
the "motve powers at distance from the
scene of action in the Canada disturbances he
was prudent agitator of the passions Of others,
and careful protector of himself. Not content
however, with stirring up rebellion to the laws
oil the land to which he owed, in the first place,
natural allegiance, and in the second, duty by
choice, he removed, or rather moved himself from
the British possessions into the United States, but
so near to the borders Of the former as to have
ready access to those who were dsaffected. In
this position he was encouraging the thoughlless
Of our people to engage in what he termed
Patriot cause-one that was to liberate the sub
jects OF foreign power from expressions which
the good never felt, and which the bad of all
countries always fear-the restraints of law against
the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the loose. Our authorities
very properly apprehended him, and having been
tried as a violator of the laws of neutrality, as
we'll as Of the statutes of the country, he was SEN
fenced by proper tribunal to the punishment
due to the offence.
The spirit Of nationality among the foreigners
in this Union, has been called into action upon
this result. If it had been the of some ia
matte Native who had, in the zeal of establishing
universally Of freedom like our own, enacted
the same things, it would have been looked upon
"a clear infrac,ion Of law, and the victim of his
mistaken patriotism been left incarcerated to an
swer the .indctiveness of that law, and grow
wiser by his suffering. But, as it is one OF the
foreign clan, the voice of this whole phalanx is
raised, from the landing of the predatory refugee
at the mouth Of the Mississippi, to the contra
bandists upon the borders Of the Northern Lakes.
Hence it is that petitions are concoced to enlist
the agency of the weak among our own people,
who. in the sympathy Of their natures, forget the
culprit, and the evils which his early apprehension
has saved us, in the story of his sufferings, and
the inspiration Of the g name Of Liberty
As this question of the Boundary line is draw
mo nearer to a settlement between the two nations,
one aOay or the other, we begin to look into the
sort Of naateriI we have among our adopted CT
t;zens. as mass, in the event of an emergency
of the worst kind. This examination convinces
us neither of unity Of feeling upon our public
affairs nor of nationality of character, which is
so necessary to sustain them when the time comes
that 10 sustain them makes us continue altogether
az an American people, or to fail makes us what
our present folly encourages-the subjects OF Tor
egners.
Az regards the result Of this intended Conven-
ton, which proposes either to make the British
concede that naturalized citizens here lose their
ancient fealty, or that our laws shall be adapted
n this point. or in other words that if Great Bri-
tain insists upon the enforcement Of the principle
that " once subject al,Days a subject then we
must repeal our laws of naturalization, We under
take 10 predict, that although this is most wise
and proper object for Convention, and its laoors
shonld not only be directed to that end but should
accomplish it, still we know SO much OF the espr'f
du corps among the whole body Of foreigners that
this nominally good object will be made mere
nretex, 10 denounce the laws of England on this
subject, and to digest the means Of perPetuatlng
the folly of the present laws OF Naturalization SO
that hencefor.h, upon questions of National polty
affecting the parties Of adopted citizens, or Their
distant countrymen, they will be enabled to move
in solid column against the Natives and thus es-
tablish an irresponsible power, more potent than
the laws.
STATE Convention OF NATURALIzED CITIzENs.-A
question has arisen of deep interest not only to our ma
turalized citizens but to the whole population OF TINS
country in consequence of the claims set up by Great
Britain. and not denied by the present
concerning subjects of that country who may lave be-
come citizens OF this.
The British hold that persons born in their country
onnot expariate themselves, and the doctrine once
nhsc always subject" is one that we have eontro-
yerted and dsregaded in the formation OF our Cohs'u
ton and laws. ,,;..rn na 1;f6onlv
and The British must either concede the pom, OF our
I;overnment adapt their laws to this principle; Inc
question ia whether eXpatriaie hihseii' ana
become am alien to the country of his BIRTH II ne can
not our naturalization laws hold out to he n
proper inducements, which ought TO be aoohsheu. = vi
and ntl