Hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1843-1845, 1844-03-07
ssLet Harry of the West be the
WatchWOrd

In our paper of last week, we promised to
look further into the record, and from it to
prove that MARTIN VAN buren,, and no!
HENRY CLAY, is committed under the rule Of
the Gazette against the interests Of the
west. We shall now undertake to make
good our promise; which we are confident
no man, who has read our first article, can
with justice say, was rashly and thought
lessly made.
The accusations preferred against Mr. CLAY,
groundless as we know them to be, would
not however claim the consideration we
have given them, had they not sprung from
80 respectable source, as the editor of the
Gazette.
How that print can speak Of Mr. CLAY. as the
bitter and unrelenting enemy of our citizens
OF foreign birth, we are at loss to know
Where is the evidence to prove it =? Where
and on what occasion did he take such
position Give us the facts, or show US
where they are to be found. Tell US and
1870 r~~r.~, 49, s~--.e----- .s.~.-.~-i- ~-r
in what speech, in what vote, in what res
olution. or letter of Mr. CLAY during his pub
lie career. were "slurs cast upon Them
It cannot be done, it is broad and round
assertion, without particle of proof to
sustain it. 1t is but another of the pitful
and unmanly attempts, Of his opponents, to
injure the man they fear. What, the elo-
quent advocate of SOUTH AMERICAN INDEpEN.
DENcE, HENRY CLAY, the enemy of men,
whose love of freedom has brought them to
our shores? What, he whose speech was
read at the head of the South American
Armies. that its burning words might inspire
them with hope, and electrify their droop-
ing spirits, in their struggle for liberty,-is
he hostile to the foreigner? What, he
whose praises are sung on CororAxl's heights
and his name revered at the very foot Of the
ANDES, the friend of Universal Emancipation
is he opposed to those, who have fed the
tyranny and expressions of their father land7
NO, no, it is SANDER on his reputation. a
libel on his character. But Mr. Clay voted
'oexclude all from the benefits Of preemption
laws, who were not naturalized, or had not
declared their intention to become citizens
OF the United States. What of that. is anv
injustice done to foreigners by such a pro.
v'slon,-eertainly not. The Courts are al.
ways open to them to take the declaratory
oath; and If they do not value our govern.
ment, and our laws high enough to renounce
all allegiance to the government and laws
OF their own country, then they should not
receive equal privileges. with those, who
chow more diligence and anxiety in the mat.
ter. If any other principle be established
"here IS the incentive to naturalization -
VIII any man trouble himself to become
citizen OF the United States, if without nc.
curing the distinction, he can exercise all
she privileges ofthe citizen7 Will.any man
declare his intention to become a c;,;zer
ii the government with liberal hand con'
fers on him the same rights and the same
benefits, which by her laws Of naturalization
che has reserved to those, who acknow,earo
her allegiance In many of the States the
disabilities OF the Common Law, still apply
toaiiens, and even in Missouri they are on.v
partly removed. See Missouri Statutes
pages 90, SS3. These statutory provisions
OF the States all will admit are nroner
enough why then should the Government
oe more oountiful in her favors? Again Il
IS q well known fact that even the rich, If
suffrage, valuable as it is, doe. No, ;n,,.o
foreigners to diligence in being natu,,lizsJ
As proof OF this, it is only necessary 10 -.
that some neglect for ten and twenty ve,,s
to declare their intention, and o.h...
growing old in the country, die w;,bon, ~
coming citizens. Why is this h....
they are too strongly attached to their ma.
tive country to swear fealty, to that Of Tho;
adoption Mr. CLAY, We doubt not, too. 49,