The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-25

Pause, for a uDSnat4A; pause, N your false secu-
rity. LoOIs out upon the fearful elements that
are combining Tor yoar JestrSeiion X al the
history Il the pessosuted Jews of Spain, and
think fog a moment what would be your oondi-
ton if the same men and the same spirit that
guarded tie Inquisition there, were installed IN
power here. Neither age, nor sex, nor station,
nor innocence, oould ro4eet the socaifhy vir-
tins. To be rich invited denunciation 10 he
accused wss sure to bring condemnation, be-
cause condemnation was followed by eon6scs4
ton. Think what will be your condition. in the
midst Of revolution, iAsdgated by the Holy
Alliance, and accomplished By the PoPe's In
9uishoS,
To the North, wOuld say: Look on this pro
ceedinS. Think NOT chat is is a measure to pass
away with the excitement Of the Presidential
election. The resolutions OF the Central Com
nni&tee, and the proceedings in this ease, Will
constitute an important item ~ the reports to
Prince Metternioh, from his agents in this oeun-
try. It will be held as conclusive proof OF the
influence which they have already obtained, and
will excite them TO reviewed exeTtions fer the
accomplishment Of their ultimate purpose. 1t
presents an important question for your oonsi-
desation. Win you fold your arms unmiDdfal
of the causes which led your pilgrim fathers TO
dwell in the wilderness!
To the foreigners who have been welcomed
TO ouI shores, who have been admitted to the
right of naturalization. and become identified
with vs., as American citizens, as well as those,
who are now in the country and awaiting their
term OF probation, we would say, that the right
TO become an American citizen is boon. That
il has been heretofore granted, because, in the
condition in which we were placed, the PEG
ple of the United States deemed it expedient
to invite the prosecuted Of all countries, TO seek
an asylum among us, and because we have
leave their native home and cross the Atlantic,
were nnbued With love of liberty, and of our
free institutions. But this regulation was an
act of kindness. 1t was gratuity on the
part of the people Of the United States, to
be given or withheld By them, at their plea
sure. have been charged with wishing to
deny to you the Rght o. citizenship. | have
made no such proposition; bu. while would
give 10 those now IN the country all the bene-
fits Of existing laws, would appeal to you TO
say whether the abuses, which have been prac
tised in the ignorant exercise OF the elective
franchise, DO not admonish US, that the time is
come when We should modify QUIZ laws, giving
to foreigners. hereafter coming to the country
the right OF voting. The time once was when
to say II am Roman citizen" was protee-
ton against oppression. What advantage is it
now to have been born citizen of these Uni
ted Stateu> The hiFed soldiery, who plundered
our property, and made war upon our country,
are, after short probation, admitted to all the
rights of native born citizens. Is it not right,
that in view Of our altered circumstances, the
increased facilities of throwing upsn our shores
the ignorant and peuper population of Europe,
We should protect ourselves against their pes
tiferous influence? And is il right that you,
to whom so many privileges have been grant
ed, should take offence because i, is proposed
to put an end 10 abuses, which, all must see,
endsDget the public liberty Are you not con-
scious of the increasing evil Are you not in
terested, deeply interested in arresing III Do
you not, in gratitude owe il to those who have
adopted you into the Americas family, to exert
your influence to do so; and is il not an insult
to your understanding; is il not disparaging
yoAf patriotism, when demagogues appeal to
you and to your prejudiees, as foreigners, to en-
list your influence agains: a measure, so ne
eessary fer the preservation of public liberty.
Do not give stronger evidence ofmy respect
for your opinions, and my confidence in your
patriotism, when call upon you to unite with
me in accomplishing this great reformation.
To the people Of the United States, would
say, that this controversy is not of my seeking.
1t has fallen upon me, in the independent dis
charge of public duty. It is painful and un-
pleasant. But believing that the present mo-
ment, and the peculiar circumstances of the
case, are calculated to promote modification
of our existing naturalization laws, Ipropose
to do all in my power, as an editor, to accom-
plish that end Believing that a large majority
of the people of the United States concur
with me in opinion, and that the public will
sustain ME in the conscientious discharge of
this task, remain
Their obdt sery't
DUFF GREEN.