New-York daily tribune., 1844-04-04

to us ?'-but we answer 1t is the Catholics TO-
day, but it may be the Presbyterians, or Eplsco-
pahans, or Unitarians tomorrow. The principle
al the bottom of this movement once established
and its miscliefs will overflow in all directions.
They who burn Converts will burn Churches II
tolerated, and care precious little Of what order
Every man who has Faith, every one who
loves Freedom, should sternly resist and rebuke
this fell spirit.
As to our Naturalization Laws, we know
that Reform is needed, but it is needed to vindi-
cate, not TO subvert them. They ought TO be
thoroughly revised forthwith and such safeguards
added as would render operative and unacceptable
their dead-letter provisions that the applicant
for citizenship shall prove good moral charac-
ter-a previous declaration of intentions, and
five years unbroken residence in the United
States. Were these conditions strictly enforced,
the evils now so justly complained OF would van
ish Without such enforcement, it matters little
whether the required term of residence be one
year or twenty-one. Then the charge now made
for Naturalizing should be abolished altogether,
vi iOouOCU " lSii q upIdls uilu tiiS oPPiAS~''s
sworn that he did not come forward at any mans
solicitation, and that he allowed no man to pay
for his Naturalization, directly or indirectly
Such changes as this we will support most cheer
fully. But to declare incapable of holding office
those who are-legal citizens of this Country, be-
cause they were born in another, is the grossest
absurdity and prescription. 1t is perpctuatlng
caste-it is surrenderng the Polls to class oi
citizens, yet telling them that they shall exercise
the power Of bestowing Office entirely for the bene
fit ofothers, never for themselves. In mercy TO
them, for the safety of the Country, we insist that
either citizenship be denied altogether or its ma
tura privileges be suffered still to accompany 1t
The course proposed by the Native party is
like arming and drilling Slaves to warllke exer
cises, embodying them for effective combat, and
yet attempting to retain them IN Slavery. Men
may be Just or unjust, but this Is absurd-lnsane.
We appreciate and respect the motives Of that
large number, OF Wings especially, who say,
We vote the Native ticket this year, in order
to secure City Reform! But hoto secure it p?
Will promises do it2 Will even good intentions
on the part of those who attempt the arduous
task of governing this great City And is nobody
for Reform but the Native party? If you can
act efficiently for Reform with them, why not
through your own party? How do you calculate |
that a Reform is to be effected Could il not as
we'll and as surely be by such as David B. Ogden
and Hiram ketchum and Daniel Lord, and
Murray Hoffman, as by the Sammonses, Job |
Haskells and Joel Kellys OF Nativism? That
was pungent question OF another time, but not |
napplicabc to this What must be the religion
where monkey is the god?' Look at the array |
Of names which figure prominently in the pro-
ceedngs of this American party, inquire into
the capacity and history of those who bear those
names, and Judge whether they arc the men 10
correct the complicated and, alas profitable
abuses ofour City Government. Are there not
many patriots among them on whom the chance
Of pocketing few thousands by winking al an
existing abuse would be at least as effective as on
The average of Wings or Loco-Focos Think
Of this
AS to City Reform, we say now, as we have
repeatedly said before that the Wings have at all
times been ready to Danish National Politics from
our Charter Elections, and unite cordially with op
ponents on broad platform Of inge-eyed devotion
to City interests. They are ready to do so now,
as they have all along been But if party con-
siderations are to predominant, why should they
not adhere to their own party To merge their
organic alton in Nativism is to grasp at a tran
sicnt, local advantage at the cost of serious pre-
iudice to the Wing Cause permanently and
throughout the Union. Thousands of Adopted
Citizens are now silently saying, The principles
of the Wings are sound-their measures are the
best calculated to promote the prosperity OF the
Country-but if they vote TO prescribe u.s. we
must oppose them" Shall we inlict on our
selves this lasting injury? Wings! Friends OF
Clay Stand TO your colors!