The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-04

We insert to-day, from late New York paper,
an article on the subject of the late charter cleo
ton in that City. And we commend it to the
careful reading and reflection of every citizen.
We had intended to have said something on the
subject ourselves, for it is one of the most thrilling
interest, but we find it more ably touched by an
eyewitness, and will refrain from much we had
intended to say. 1t cannot be denied that in that
election the grossest and most open efforts were
made by both political parties to carry their cleo
ton by the votes ofaliens. Each party charged
it on the other, and the denial is too faint for
ming of the end. Such practices, unless forcibly
restrained by law, will lead to the most lamenta-
BILE results. Public opinion, in ordinary cases,
will eradicate a social evil. But this is no ord-
nary case, and it is unfortunately one in which
every man seems to think he has right to cheat.
We often heart and we quote only to condemn
|it)-we often hear men say ''if he will deal hon
estly with me, will be perfectly fair with him;
but I know he will cheat me if he can, and will
therefore do my best to cheat him." Such is the
political doctrine Of the present day, and mon
srous as it is in morals it is if possible more mon
strous in politics. But bad the proposition is,
its worst feature is this smuggling ia Of alien vo-
tiers, and employing alien force to restrain the
native citizen from voting.
We copied in our paper of the goth ultimo,
from that Ishmaelitish paper, the New York He
raid, a full description of the outrages which dis
graced that election; and we selected that paper
not only from the apparent truth of the account,
and the vigor and vivacity Of the description, but
because its Editor is himself foreigner by birth,
and belongs neither to the Administration, nor the
Opposition, nor the Conservative party. He
fights on his own hook, and strikes every one as
suits his fancy. And we ask if any native or ma
turalized citizen, has or can read that account
without indignation and a conviction that some
thing should be done with our naturalization
laws.
We know that much may be effected by Re-
gistry law. That, however, is not sufficient
We would apply the actual cautery. We do not
desire to be understood as assailing the right Of
the naturalzed citizen. But if he understands
and values the laws under which he lives, he
must feel the most lively interest in seeing not
only that they are faithfully executed, but that
they are faithfully devised 1t is against the nau
rallied citizen, too, it would SEEM that the Bit
terest storm Of the alien was directed and he must
see that this is but the beginning. One great
cause of this abominabe violation of the rights Of
citizenship is undoubtedly to be found in the
great facility Of procuring naturalization and the
consequent excitement and rage of failure. And
this will continue to be the case, and to increase
SO long as they feel their power and importance.
They must be taught to respect the laws, by
| some means. But can this be so when they see
with how great impunity this great fundamental
principle of our Government, the freedom of
elections, is invaded and set aside? And can men
become good and valuable citizens who begin by
breaking the laws! ....
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