Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-02-19

DEBATE IN THE. SENATE.

TUESDAY, Jan. 5, l841.s
Mr.. CRITTENDEN, Of Kentucky, Gen. Har-
sons new Attorney General, offered the following
amendment to the pre-emption bill, which he sup
ported in a speech of considerable length:
"Provided, That no person being an alien,
shall he entitled to any privilege or right Of
settlement or pre-emp,ion granted by this act,
except only such as shall previously have
made in due form of law, the declaration ofin-
tenton, required, by the naturalization laws Of
| the United States, 10 become a citizen of the
said United States"
Mr.. BUCHANAN went against the whole
and each Of its parts. In relation TO the first
clause, he held that the foreigners who pene-
trated 10 the Western frontier of our vast
country, and there settled upon and cultivated
tract Of land, presented the clearest proof.
and that by the most decisive actions, Of his
intention 10 become citizen Of the United
States. How can it be contended that this was
no proof Of such an inteniion! The whole
conduct Of such man manifested that he was
determined to live and die by the soil. In what
prUUr OF
his devotion to onr institutions, than 10 have
transferred his home from his native country
to the far West, and there to have felled the
forest and erected dwelling Che would no,
saw log-cabin, for he had no reason to be par
ta to that name.) for himself and his family!
He thus acquired. not the title to the tract Of
land which he had selected, but merely the
right TO purchase and pay for it at the Govern
ment price, in preference to all other persons.
If he should prove unable to do this, his labor
was all forfeited. Mr.. B. could assure the
Senator, that from such aliens as these he need
apprehend no danger of foreign influence
These pioneer farmers were not the men from
whom he had any thing to dread. He should
never consent to destroy the title of such a
man, after he had paid for mis- land, and thus
to render all his tolls and prvations unaval-
ing, merely because through negligence he
might not have gone TO court Of Justice. and
made formal declaration Of his intention 10
become a citizen of the United States, before
his actual settlement commenced. No. never!
His judgment ard his feelings would equally
revolt against such an act.
He (Mr. b. could not understand the oppo-
sition which had been manifested in certain
quarters to foreigners, who had sought ref
uge and home in our country. Had they not
materially assisted in achieving our indepen-
dence! In the days of the Revolution no such
jealousy was felt towards the brave lrishmen,
Frenchmen, and Germans, who, side by side
will, our native citizens, had fought the bat
ties Of liberty. On the contrary, he had nc
doubt. it was from grateful sense Of these
services, that it had ever been the settled poll
cy Of the government to allow them to pur-
chase our vacant lands upon thesame terms
with the American citizens. $3.50
Was there no reason for pursuing the same
policy At the present day! Was it not clearly
our interest as a nation to permit such emf
grants to purchase and possess our vacant
lands, and thus establish line Of defence on
our frontier against the incnrsions Of the saw
age enemy! This was wise policy which
he trusted might never be abandoned.
But the Senator Mr.. Crittenden1 made light
of the danger from the hordes Of savases,
which, wisely or unwisely, had been collected
on our western frontier: and he thought it was
degrading to American citizens to be protect
ed and defended by any foreigner not yet nat
urslj1sd.