The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-09-05

our political divisions. They therefore seek
a repeal of the naturalization laws, and would
be perfectly satisfied if every foreigner in the
United States was declared citizen on his |
taking the oath of allegiance and producing
evidence of good character; provided that
none hereafter to arrive should be made cili-
zens, except in singular and signal cases, and
as mark Of high distinction. They believe
the time has passed by, when il was an advan
tage TO he country to encourage excessive I'M
migration, by extraordinary bounties and po-
litical advantages; and tha.the redundant po-
pula,on of the old world will, without them,
be poured ont upon US faster than we can be
prepared to receive them.-Whlle they are
willing TO offer them an asylum and home,
they are not prepared to surrender up theI
inheritance Of their fathers to the stranger
and the alien, and they believe that the time
has arrived when an alteration in our natura-
lizaton laws is imperatively called for, toI
guard against too great an exertion OF foreign
influence. Already we find OConnell threat
ening to take us under his care, and to issue
his manifesto to his countrymen in the United
States to become abolitionists; and although
we may pretend TO laugh the agitator to scorn,
we must bear in mind that :. few men have
an opportunity to do much good, but that
the most insignificant and contemplate are
qualified to do HARM" And when the i'm
petuous and rash nature Of upeducated Irish
men is considered, we cannot but see that a
vast amount Of physical force may be arraycdI
on the side of the fanatical advocates of ultra
abolition measures, which may become seri-
ously embarrassing. Again, we have seen the
/ Catholics moving for distinct and separate
!, apportionment Of the school fund, and have
seen it endorsed by Wing Governor, in his
anxiety to bid for the foreign vote, and to
purchase present support by running up
) dreadful arrear for the future.
Il Failing to procure repeal Of the natura-
lization laws, they wish to have the time of
residence extended to 81 years. They argue
that the native born citizen cannot vote before
he is 81 years old and they would treat all
foreigners as children-and great many
) are worse, for we have to erase ignorance
and root out prejudice in large portion of
our foreign population before they can be
properly prepared for the reception of repub-
! lican principles, and liberty not superior
to, but subordinate to the law of the land.
4. With regard to appointments to Office,
I the native born citizens in preference to the
adopted, qualifications being equal but that
the adopted citizens has an unquestionable
right to sue for, receive, and hold, an APP
pointment or situation for which he is consti-
tutionally eligible, but whether they will vote
for or support him is entirely another question,
and they frankly and openly avow that for
legislative and judicial Offices, they prefer
those born among them, and that in all things
they 60 for a national identity of feeling and
interest.
/ STRENGTH. Nothing has occurred to de-
velope singly and alone the strength of the
American feeling. In New Orleans, and in
this city, they unquestionably hold the bal
lance of power. We have seen what the,
have done in New Orleans. In this city we
have heard their strength estimated at 5000
votes. Suppose we say $500 votes! although
we believe the first estimate to be below the
mark, they can at any time decide the fate Of
an election. Years ago they threw 500
. votes for S. F. B. Morse for Mayor, when
there was wing and democratic candidate
both in the field against him. Since then
they have been powerfully but silently urging
their way and accumulatng strength that
will before long bring the question before
Congress on direct proposition for the re-
peal OF the naturalization laws. At New
Orleans, and at Washington, they have es.
! tablished papers TO advocate their views,
which are conducted with great ability. And
in our columns to-day will be found pros
pectus for the establishment Of paper to be
called the Spirit of l776, to be devoted to
American interests.
Position. Something Of the position Of
the American party will have been gathered
from the preceding remarks. They belong
to neither Of the prominent political parties
OF the day. They are neither wing nor de-
mocrac, but are composed of both They
are neither church nor state, abolition or an
h-aboltion, but persons holding the most an
| tagonists views and the most opposite prin.
IcIples can unite on the simple question of |
repeal Of the naturalization laws. Like Mo.
scs, they stand between the living and the
dead, and this will be emphatically their po-
siton after the fall election; they outstretch |
their arms 10 stay the plague of foreign in
iinence (Which is sweeping all that is stable
and flourishing before it,--and their
pRnsPEcTs-of success is certain, as soon
as the fever of the sub-treasury and the cider
barrel is over.-Wheneve they come out
into the political arena, the correctness Of
their views, and the patriotism of their OBJ
'Jects, will rally thousands 10 their standard,
and although, as we have said before, thew
may be unable to send representatives TO the |
Congress of the United States, they are ua- |
questionably able 10 prevent any one from 90 |
ing there, who will not give definite and 20. |
sitlve pledge, sincerely and honestly, and to |
tie best OF his ability, to advocate their