Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-11-21
NATURALIZED CITIZENS.

There Is so much to approve Of in the following
disPasslonate article from the Alexandria Ga.
zette, upon subject which is now attracting
general attention throughout oar country, that
we ask for II the ca!ia consideration of every
Amerlcan-.-naipe or adopted: ; ,a.
"ihe American people have seen with regret,
for some time past, the Naturalzed Citizens Of
me Country appealed TO by certain order of po-
ticians as distinct class of citizens, and array.
ed together as Foreigners and, they have seen
WIS" '%N deeper ierret these citizens brought uP
to ihe i6fIs, and encouragedto yute, IN MASS
Foreigners. They have also seen with sorrow
the emigrants to this country, from the various
Kingdoms and pnncipalites of Europe, taken dn.
der the special care and control of the leaders Of
one OF the political parties into WHICH our coun-
try Is divided and their political action moulded
and directed by these leaders. And i'm pursuance
OF the political system thus adopted, it has also
been seen, that religious prejudices are encour-
aged, and new and dangerous influences, hitherto
unknown among u.s. brought into the consldera-
lion Of our public affairs. What has been. The
consequence! We adop, the words Of a cotennp
porary and say, by acting Foreigners, and
claiming consideration as such, and by loaning
themselves 10 unscrupulous politicians in ,Ihe
country. they force the rejecting portion
oil the people consideration of the dangerous
consequences which may hereafter from,
The extension Of the elective franchise to thout
sands and tens of thousands Of emigrants,. who,
with honest Intentions, but i'm Ignorance Of the
true character OF our institutions, may be indu-
ced to act together, not .americans, but as For
GSHeTS entitled to take part in the Government of
the country of their adoption. .s
'in these feelings The Wbig partv has fully
Shared, and tile expression of the opinion of the
W hig party throughout the country will soon be-
come universal and almost unanimous on the sub
ject. They do not seek TO alter or abTidge the
just rights or privileges of foreigners now in the
country, and especially OF foreign natpsalized
citizens, who by law have these rights and privi-
leges now extended to them. But they are on.
posed. and they will, hereafter, on all proper ooI
GASEOUS. show their opposition 10 The influence OF
forcgners as separate and distinct class, with the
government and control of the country, and 10 aid
them in eectIng this great object, they will gen.
orally 90 Tor such an alteration Of the. present
naturalization laws as will require longer .ern
Tor foreigners to reside in the country before they
by their votes Its interests and direct
all It's movements. In this determination, they
know they will receive the cordial support and
assistance OF most Of The intelligent naturalized
citizens themselves, and Of the reasonable and
weil-niomed emigrants. go .,.e,
The principle con,ended FOR is 200 Just and rea~
sonable in itself to be successfully resisted. No
harm by IL is done to any human creature, but an
act OF great justice is done TO our own country,
Most justly, il has been remarked, has our couna
try been denomnated the asylum Of the oppres-
seq from every quarter of the Globe, and with
God S blessing, we trust it may ever remain SO.
But, even Tor the SAKE of those who may seek il
as place OF refuge, for their security, and for
us own peTmanence and prosperity. 1t ought to
be governed by its own citizens, and be, in reali~
ty, what it processes to be, an AMERICAN Re.
| public"