Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-19

enter but might as We'll tell gentleman
that he should rejoice the day, and he believed tha
day had come, when great aud rwhemlng MAORI
ty OF the people OF the United States had become salts
fed that National Bank was the only ctitctua rene
d against all these su.erngs under which they hac
been grooming for the last twelve years. He (Alr
Critic nden) for Bank of the United States
no, for Bank with capital Of hundred millions
governed by English monaires bnt a Bank made
and constituted by the people of the United States
owned, regulated, aud influenced by themselves but
he repeated that he would not now go into that subject
The question, and the only question at present to oe
decided was, whether wond put the foreigner,
who made no declaration of his intention to become
American citizen, on the same looting WIN our own
citizens lie required evidence, and he asked Tor
only the smallest modcum of evidence OF the man $
intention to become FAN American citizen GIVE nm
but this preliminary requisite, and he was wiling at
once tn include that fan in all the benefits OF ihe'bl
Mr. BUCHANAN said the Senator from Kentucky
should not transfer this battle TO the West OF the
Rocky Mountains. With his good leave we shall
keep for the present on this side Of them. The pre-
sent the Indian frontier, and regarded
the rights which foreigners ought TO acquire ny sell
Ting and cul,,vatng lands within the limits OF onr ex-
listing States and Territories and not hey ond the Rocky
Mountains And now, after all this discussion, what
was the difference between the honorable Senator and
himself. Why, sir, he has more than nail round
He has now become good prescription man, and is
in favor Of granting the right of emPon 10 all TO-
reipners provided they have declared their intention
ignorant foreigner, not acquainted with the laws OF
his adopted country, who has gone upon your public
land cleared away the Forest and erected home Tor his
wife and his children ! ask, would you deprive such
man of all the benefits Of this bull, merely because
he had omitted TO make formal declaration of his
tention become u ctizen' ask the Senator I" say
whether such man, for such cause, should forfeit
his right become the purchaser of this tract oil land
in preference any hungry land shark who was ready
10 pounce upon it as his prey The question between
has been narrowed down TO tins point at last NO"
appeal 10 that gentleman own heart, to say whether
he would not decide It in favor OF the foreigner.
know and feel that he would. lie can entertain no
serious purpose that such settler should forfeit
his right am sure he does not. And what, then,
is all the mighty difference between u.s. After all
replies and reonders and onders, the whole
argument dwndles down to mere question OF twee-
dledum and tweedledee. Can the Senator make more
of il: He is wiling to place the foreigner upon the
footing with citizens, and grant him eve
~ right of presumption which they enjoy provided he
has gone through the form placing upon record the
declaration Of intention required by our naturalization
laws. | 90 little step further, and hold that the
foreigner, by making his way TO the far West and set
Ting upon the public land, manlfrsts by actions which
speak louder than words, even stronger intention OF
becoming American citizen than II he had merely
made the formal declaration required; end IN such
case ask should he forfeit his privilege on account OF
this omission? Sure am that if the honorable Senator
from Kentucky were constituted the Judge, and this
question left to his decision he would answer, en-
phaticaly, no! He would never decide that the TO-
reinner who has settled on the public land since June,
lS40 upon the faith Of ycur past legislation, who
sha settle upon hereafter, shall forfeit his privilege
pre- emplion and be driven with his wife and children
from their home.
The Senator has done injustice in another respect
] never either said insinuated that would proclaim
10 the world that wanted foreigners TO come and
settle among us, that they might protect from dan
ger. What did say was, that il had long had been
the national policy, and one which considered sound
and WISE encourage the settlement OF our frontier rs
speedily and densely possible; and if this should
be done in part by foreigners, then, in the hour OF
danger their bodies would be our buiwark against
age foe Just surely the breasts OF our own c.
teens. | cannot vote for this amendment, because
am unwilling that an ignorant man who may have &C
auired an equitable title to preempton shall forfeit
ii for want Of having gone through legal form.
Mr. CRlTTENDEN. | am anxious to escape from
any further participation in this controversy but, &C
cordng the usagcs of the Senate us have Offered
an affirmative proposition it is necessary and proper
that should have the last word. The only disinge
nuous thing which the honorable Senator has said is
contained in his last remark, that am coming round,
nad # my amendmcn. prevails, shall vote for the BILL
M; am not committed TO vote for granting preemp
ton TO any body.
Mr.. BUCHANAN. did not say that the Senator
you'd vote for the b for am sure he will not. ]
said he would put foreigners the same footing with
American citizens, if they would only declare Their IN
:ention 10 become such.
Nyhl ~
confnng the benefits OF this bill to American citizens.
The Senate have voted to extend them TO foreigners
now muve amendment requiring simple decara-
ton Of intent to be naturazed The Senator opro-
ses it, and for putting those who have no legal or e-
ultimate claim this benefit at hands on The same
footing with citizens and he says the difference
between is matter Of tweedledum and tweede-
dee The Senator thinks it hard TO make distinction
against foreigner merely because lac has omitted to
make any declaration Of his purpose to become CITIZEN
ntnt tfp
ence between foreigner and our own citizen simply
because he has happened 10 be born in another country,
and under different alieglance-a matter over which he
had no sort of control The difference between such a
man and a native American is, in the Senator'S es-
timaon, mere matter OF tweedledum and tweedledee.
Yet this is the gentleman who is terribly afraid OF
foreign influence He is for making difference be-
tween all Eneshman Russian, Frenchman, and an
American. Now, the honorable Senator may excuse
Ice, while have all proper respect for Foreigners IT
love my counrymeD little better than them, and
il do make difference between the foreigner who
and grasps by the hand, and soemny records
his declaration To cast in his lot with me- TO make my
country his country, my Government his Government,
and tn seek inheritance in the soil for himself and
his childcn-and the foreigner who is very willing 10
receive any and all the benefits may have bestow,
but who refuses 10 give the slightest pledge of his
desire TO become OF ourselves. To the gentleman
this may be n tweedledum and tweedledee-to me,
confess it is matter of strong and high American feel
ing.
On motion BY Mr.. CLAY of Alabama the question
was divided TO be put first upon the first part o
Mr. Crittendens amendment.
Mr. PORTER inquired whether the mover would
not modify it so far to allow previous declaration
made before applying for the presumption to be valit
fulflment OF the condition proposed
Mr. CRITTENDEN assented TO The modification
proposed by the Senator from Michigan.
Mr. ALLEN said he should vote against the amend
meni because such provision would be utterly useless
ifincorporaed the bill The declaration of the in
tention of an individual 10 become citizen, might be
made with great truth; the individual might then
by an6 and obtain title thereto and then with grea
sincerity change his intention. He opposed 10 al
distinctions of this description, and when foreigner
reached our shores he willing TO take the chair
from his neck-every link OF il.
Mr. WRIG HIT said it seemed 10 him they were making
themselves active about question which should not b
entertained by them and appeared to be the nten
ton to take the question tonight, he would state hi
views respecting ii, Now after what was SAID yesterda,