The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-11-02
NEW ORLEANS, September, 1880.

ludthtcd with better mode OIL apolOgiENg 10 you
ior thns trcsnasslng upon your attention, than to
state in the outset their belief, that the objects
they have il view, are matters OF deep importance
70 the welfare of our common country.
The undersigned, sir, are 1that class of your
fellow citizens, who laYelor some time past look
ed with dismay upon the tide Of foreign inmi-
grafton which sets so strangely upon our shores,
and have viewed with Jealousy and alarm, The
Operation of certain acts OF the National l.cglsla
iure, which Introduce without distinction, the
Immigrants from the Old world to the high and
responsible station Of American citizens; there
BY frequently placing communities Of native
Americans in snhaciion to "foreign and false citi
.%sns,' ind lsi>pg The corruption and ignorance
t"i Europe into contact with the purity Of the
American hao-box
We cannot suppose. sir, that the amount Of
i.3m'gFi:on lis character, and lis effect upon our
people has escaped your observation ; from the
position you occupy in the councils Of your ccun-
Try, you must have taken ali ibis into view. But,
sir, suller us to call your attention to the fact
that II the army and navy OF the L. S. foreign
2rs ou!rN'iabcr the natives twelve 10 one; that in
oar hospitals, alnshouses and penlentiarics, the
proportion Is nearly the same ; ana that foreign
immigration is steadily and rapidly on thc!acrcasc
Foreign arrogance already boasts, tie city Of
New ork is It's own, and that tire gallant west
must soon give way to The overwhelming t!lrong
OF foreign population. We shall not make any
attempt TO show how entirely unfit are the great
mass OF immigrants, at the present day. to enjoy
:he political! rights Of American citZens; your
knowledge Of their training in Europe mus. nave
yea Of their general unwosthiness; we
will merely say that by as far as European 60
vernmcnts are behind our own, SO far must their
subjects be lrrm possessing the requisite qualiG-
cations of American citizens.
10 lis it is evident that reform is necessary,
and we believe the first step in the great work
row begun ought 10 be an immediate and entire
-"naa Of the existing Naturalization Laws for
:" will tie vcrmin bepurged from the root Of the
tree of liberty. And we are now, IN conjunction
witt! many Of our fellow citizens here, preparing
a petition TO Congress, praying fog such repeal.
The object Of this letter, sir, is to enquire,
whether it would be compatible with your orn-
ions upon this subject to lay the aforesaid petit
ion before the Senate of the United States, and
% give it your support in that body.
In conclusion, sir, the undersigned beg leave
o remark, chat it is not as pariizans but as
AmclIcans, that they address you: and as this is
! matter which in their opinion, 'honld he KEEP!
distinct, from the exclusive measures Of both the
great political palties, which agita,e our country,
50 they have thought that il should on that ac-
count be entrusted to one, so pre-emincnt rs
yourself in the qualities of independence and i'm
oariaty
We hope, sir, that you may find sufficient
leisure, TO favor us with reply TO the present,
within such time, previous TO the commencement
Of the next session Of Congress- as will leave us
al opportunity Of applying elsewhere, should our
wish not be gratified
For the sake Of greater convenience. please
address DR.. James S. McI'arlane New Orleans.
We remain, sir, with feelings Of the highest
regard and most distinguished, consideration, vour
icElow citizens and very obedient servants.
foEr HILL, Sept, 1890
Gcnicmcf1--
have been honoTed by your communication,
me. that you III conjunction with many
Of your fellow citizens of New Orleans, are ire
pairing petition to DC presented at the next ses-
slon al Congress, praying for an entire rcpea! OF
the naturalization law, and requesting to he in
formed whether | would take charge of it and
give it my support. In reply, l have to say,
WIIhon; offering an opinion Oh The merits of the
proposed petition, that cannnt in Justice 10 the
numerous and important, measures to which
stand pledged, and which regard as deeply in
eresting to the whole union and Of vital impor-
ancc 10 our section, add The ono which YOU pro-
'oSe. 1t would make heavy additional draft on
ny time and attention to take leading part on a
question 0! such magnitude and Of 50 exciting
laucG, and co1!d no, fail 10 weaken mo in carrying
II through the measures TO which have alluded,
ND which | have been long laborng to effect:
whether such lead should be 70. or against the
me you propose to bring forward.
In conclusion, permit u to say, that cannot
'at be highly aattered, by the reason, which you
lave assigned, in selecting ne rs your organ on
question you regard SO vital, and the success of
"hich you have 80 much at heart. rustmy
public course has proved that | am not altogether
.ndes2rying the high compliment of indepen-
loncc and i!nparlai!y which you bcstow on me,
md when the question which You propose to
,r;ag forward, comes TO be discussed in Congress,
bought cannot tahc leading part,,I shall give
/ my profound attention, and shall, as ever
AVE, follow, what have ever found an honest
md faithful guide III ell the trying scenes through
which have passed, the dictates Of duty and my
unbiased judgment As yet, have given tie
question bat vcry slight attention, and have form
I'd no definite opinicn, being absorbed by others,
which consider essential to prosperity and