American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-11-14
[Eor me- American Rennhlican.l


Of German tongue, in our city and It's nclgh-
borhood, yiz:-How long would you wish the
naturalization law extended? Shall the honest
adoptcd citizen be capable to fill offices as for
merly? And what is the course you Will mere
after follow, as regards the federation oil Catho-
lie as well as Protestant sects in our country!
Certainly you will not claim that your cause
is the same as the Kensington and Southwark
rioters in Philadel pha?-and let my word be a
sufficient guarantee, that flee answer to tins
will decide the course of at least 500 or 1000
of our German Americans in tins city. must
confess, that of late the European Governments
have transported criminals and others to this
country, who never ought to possess the holy
right of citizenship; but at the same time would
it not be well, not to admit any person to the
said right who is net able to prove by certfl-
cate from some of our consuls in European
harbors, that he is neither criminal nor for
mer inhabitant of an almshouse? And further,
it might be Of great Importance that every per-
son wishing to become citizen should bring
forth good recommendation by twelve Of our
citizens, such as have known him for five years.
However, this is merely wish expressed by
me; let more capable men think of this. In
conclusion, | expect an answer upon this
through your paper, and recommend to you
that such should be published in all city papers,
German well as English
AN ADOPTED GERMAN CITIZEN.
We publish the above communication with
some hesitation, as it introduces subject which
we desired to keep out of the paper entirely
namely, religious differences. We entertained
the hope, that what we had heretofore said in
reference to this subject, together with the
whole tenor of our lives, would have afforded
, a sufficient assurance, that we never could or
would unite in the prescription or persecution
of any persons or sect because of their religious
belief But we shall proceed to reply to the
questions Of our correspondent in regular or
dcr-and
Firsl-How long shall the naturalization
laws be extended?
We answcr---a sufficient time to enable the
/ foreigner to become familiar with our system
of govornment--its policy and its interests:
/ long enough for him TO abandon prcjudces and
predictions, and to become identified in feel
/ ing and interest with the American people. 1t
is moi for us TO prescribe the precise period of
| probation; and on this subject there may we'll
be difference of opinion, We shall be content
with such prolongaton as will accomplish the
object, and nothing less, even if it be found
necessary to adopt the longest period which
has been named; though possibly shorter one
would suffice.
/ Secondly-Shall the honest adopted citizens
be capable of holding offices as heretofore2
/ We reply-yes. When once man has been
received as citizen, he should have the privi-
/ legcs of one as now allowed by the constitution
of the country. Some Of our most valuable ci-
tzens are Of foreign birth, and we would not
advocate any measure which could affect their
rights as citizens. Although we are native
born, and ardently attached to the country of
our birth, we have not, and shall not hoist the
.Natire American fag-on the contrary, our
motto is "Our Country" embracing all, whe-
Their native or naturalized, who are for promot-
ing its interests against the designs of foreign
governments
Tirdly-What is the course you will here
after follow as regards the liberation of Catho-
lie as well as Protestant sects in our country
Answer-Precisey the course which we have
heretofore pursued-that is, to let every man
follow the dictates of his own conscience. We
shall not undertake to dictate to any one IN
matters of faith; aud never-Lever can we be
induced to prosecute any one for difference Of
opinion The very religion which we profess
teaches us not even to Judge Others lest we be
judged. We deny the right Of any man to
Of, nj,
Creator. 1t is a matter between our God and
ourselves; and for which we do not hold our
selves responsible to any man, or to any hui
man tribunal. What we claim as our own
right we willingly grant to others. No man
nor no sect, need therefore, aPprehend persecu
ton, or even interference with religious belief,
at our hands 1t is trne, that we would oppose
to the utmost of our power, the combination Of
any sect TO produce an union of church and
state-cven if the sect to which we belong were
to make the effort. We are in favor of perfect
federation IN religious matters.
We have thus replied to the query of our
correspondent, on this point, in plain and ex-
plcit terms. In this matter our principles are
unchangeable They have "grown with our
growth, and strengthened with our strength
and no consideration shall induce us to swerve
from them. We hope therefore, that our cor
respondent is satisfied that we will never at
tempt to violate a right guaranteed by the con-
s.itution OF our country.
We claim no affinity with rioters or violators
of law, of any description. FIVE did we should
be unworthy the nano of American Republ-
cans. What we aim at is the good of the coan-
try, by tho extension ofthe naturalization laws,