The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-11-06
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.


THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Chief Justice Nelson, of New York, has re-
Gently made decision upon an application for
naturalization which, if rgidy adhered to in every
instance, would 60 far to disarm Locofocoism Of
one of its most potent engines of mischief In
truth, the decision of Judge Nelson cannot be
properly styled legal inference, as the act of
Congress of 1913, upon which it is based, could
not be otherwise construed. BY the terms Of
that act no person shall be admitted to citizenship
who has not resided continually in the United
States for FIVE years, "without at any time being
out of the territory Of the United States" Upon
the unequivocal language of this act Judge
Nelson decided that an applicant for naturali-
who in September of last year, in passing from
Genessee to Ogdensburg, on Lake Ontario land
ed for a few moments upon the Canada shore.
thereby forfeited his right to citizenship. He
thereby placed himself in the situation Of an emf
grant, and must spend five years more in the
country before he can become citizen.
1t is not very apparent that any evil would
arise from allowing foreigners to be naturalized
who may have been temporarily absent during
the probationary term of five years; but the law
Of 1918 would not have been passed, it is fair to
presume if a practical evil had not been found to
result from the less restricted naturalization act
of 1902. 1t cannot be without its use, at any rate
in carrying into effect the primary regulation as
to the term of residence necessary to citizenship
There is no doubt that the present naturalization
laws OF this country, in the hands of the corrupt
Judges of tho Locotoco party, are little better
than dead letter. Foreigners are admitted TO-
citizenship without making any inquiries as to
the term of their residence, the only qualification
being Willingness TO subserve the purposes of
Locofoco demagogues. Of this we have proof
in the conduct Of Judge Elliot at New Orleans !;
and in no other way can the vast numbers natu-
rallied in the cities on the eve of every election
be accounted for. We see it stated that in New
York there have been some two hundred natu-
rallied every day for ten days past, and in Gin
cnnat t,Delue hundred were naturazed upon the
ave of the State election.
In Illinois foreigner ia admitted to the rights
of citizen within six months after entering the
State, and when once permitted to vote at State
elections, of course there is no impediment to
voting in the federal elections. The Constitu.
ton is thus violated in the most shameless man.
uer.
The ignorance of our country and it's ins,itu-
tons which prevails in every part of Europe is
proverbial. Even in EGG land, country speak
ing the same language with ourselves, the gross
est bunders in relation to American geography,
history, and politics, are of daily occurrence; and
many of the best writer's of that country display
an ignorance of America which is unaccountable.
They have literally no idea of the party divisions
in this country and generally seem to imagine
that parties in this country stand upon the same
ground which is occupied by the great parties Of
England. II enlightened Englishmen are SO ig-
norant OF Americ a, what must be expected of the
laboring classes of Ireland and Germany!
They have been taught, and correctly taught,
that the democracy in England, France, Ireland
and Germany, is opposed to the aristocracy; ant
they naturally suppose on their arrival here tina,
those who call themselves the Democracy" are
the humber class, and that their opponents, the
Wings, are the advocates of principles inimica
to universal freedom and equality. For this rea-
son, nearly all foreigners Immediately on their
arrival in this couHtry, attach themselves to the
Locofocos; but it is generally the case that the
moro intelligent Of them change to the Wings SO
soon as they become acquainted with the real
state of the country and the principles Of parties
We think, therefore, that il behooves the peo-
pie of this country to look well to the natural
isaton laws.