Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1844-12-23

Che zpwchtmrG JirpimtaM.
MONDAY. DECEMBER %. 1914.
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.

ntee 10 enquire into the expedency Of modifying the
NATURALIZATION laws, 50 as to require longer probationary
residence from foreigners before they are allowed the mi
seees OF clzenship TO require greater guards agaiss,
frauds IN the steps to be taken in procuring na,nrazs
ton papers; and 10 prevent far as practicable fraud
and violence at the elections long debate took place
On this proposition, in which Alessrs johnson. Archer
Rives, Bernen, Allen, Dickinson, Foster n Y and
merriek participated All the speakers rrof, ssed a
warm desire 10 guard the purity of elections; but We
fear when the Senate shall undertake Tho ,.t ., d.
sing eiceh means 10 exclude from the polls those who
hove no legal right exercise the elective fr,ncbs m
S'ai md many q; those who Ioudes in their denun
ca'Ion Of piPelayng' and rorrnpon eas, dspu ed ia
resort 10 such measures alone prevent
a'd "aoduent voting Congress. indeed can pass ma
effective law upon The subject wi,lon, the hearty
era'ion Of the State Legislatures and we have had here
t'oFe too many aid striking proofs of the unwilling
OF The Locoioco majores these bodies To rnact ouv
law on The subject 10 repcse the slightest Confidence in
the'r protested anxiety 10 protect the lai, hns from IN.
en"fmns frauds which there ruch reason Ia belle
nave wee" systematically rvs1l'ed 10. and which, in the
'''e' PRESIDENTIAL election especially seem have rerya
oe' '"e e"'fe h'n WITNESS their refusal, in Pennsy-
'ania' New iors and Maryland 10 pass R,pisry Laws
'"' 'ne'f large c'ies-he only means by Which Illegally
a"' ''aoo can lie prevented thereand look, auve all
al 'he provision contained even in The constitutions Of
several oil the new States in which Iocnfucoisn has =,
ways hah sway admitting foreigners the his Of cit
lzehshlp IN lew weeks months AFTER they become
oom'c''laed within their limits. by which the Nsmra
za'"n Laws OF Congress- passed in strict pursuance If
me very letter OF The CONSTITUTION are actually pu6ed
" nat ialIh can be rep4Cd in the Professions Of men
VINO, IN one breath. drplore ne existing facilities le
aad' and in the next or.a wde the dur for lis r,,rpe.
.raon?
MI Rives, 10 the course o his remarks ~, the resou-
ton III Alr Johnson above referred to- EXPRESSED oub,
as to the necessity of extending the probationary period
OF residence In the country, required of FOREIGN emuau,s
before they are at liberty make application far the
privileges u cillzenshp-deemng Ear saoro impn,sn.
TO throw more guards around the system m II y,
present exists. Perhaps this would be the more udcious
mode ii meeting the immediate cause of compain,
But while ice think that the period of2 years suyo,s
ted by the Nave American" Associations snex assIe -,
II would IN many cates, sentence of pefnc,u,l eY
cnson. would wear the sembance Of harshness and hr
exciting the sympah.s Of The masses in favor o an A.,
Iarenile presented class, nigh, defeat all clange VOL
are f"pnion that the term Of residence ,q4r IN h
prolonged beyond the period now pescrbed-s,v f., sov
EN- or ten years. When The ptesen, term five wears
was adoped tire stale of the country was very dyfent
from lis present conditim-and its phcv then %, lb
snhcc had reference to lis actual wants. ami MT IN cir
cuHrstances ntnre and remote and the sture r which i
had moi al that time entered into the must Vi
TO conceive. AT that time although restricted tn the i
OF the Old Ihreen population was sparse and sc,o
ed, and IT was our true pory to Invite entrants irom
broad, as well for the more enerrotic dryelnnnt If
internal resources TO defend the country AN forc,
aegesson and the only wonder Is that in cons deri,sr
our limited population. the a,ual cation laws were M,
made even less stringent than they are Since that No
Rod. however, an almost miraculous chanre has sssas
over the face Of the country. Our ,.,rula,iun has in
creased beyond all former pec ed. Mt: and vc.nay
trust 10 lis natural increase buh for industrial ,d e(o
sfye turpeses Ought our rolcy 1len 10 und rgo
corresponding change Certainly we would mo-, ,l,r,sx
the slightest impeachment in the way of those (re;one $
who desire 10 "dwelI whn oar bulerso either IN add
to their personal comforts, participate in the bless
lngs IT political freedom. Let them come vithont tho
slightest impedment. But we would r,onjre bf,-o
they shall be permiied appear at tie rtls she ly
side with All American citizen 10 select The firers by
whom the whole policy Of our govcrnn ent is ia b.,
shaped, that tey shall have had time 10th Ia Groe, am.
to ieon -to forget opinions end habits formed in # 81,
native land, and 10 learn thing al least of the mr.,
''r whom they are TO vote, and Of the systems o,aoy
o witch the opposing parties the represfnatiyes-
Many 1d'ei.ners, we all aware, who have s,udicd
our institutions at home and who have watched nm,
progress nllh 'lnue attention. prepared at once Ia
perform lnellgeny the duties of good citizens hin and
upon such the extension OF lhe period probation would
Operate with seeming severity But the rule DESIGNED
Tor the million, and not for the nir-and the Inter
be content 10 suffer- if it be necessary 10 shield the
Is7y from the mschiefs that may accrue from
system in relation 10 the former
In favor. however, as are, Of ssh ,y,e,sion If
probation required Of foreigners as preliminary 10 ,i,i
zehshP we neverth e!css, like Ar Rlvcs deem il If far
more Importance TO secure faithful administration Of
ahe laws that nav exist. For what ia tho diff r,co
whether the term Of probation be s. or 20 ve,,s Il
foreign ensrants may be permitted by false oahs or bv
Inc eqna'y infamous connvance Of corrupt JUDGES to
SET lis requisIions at defiance? liza horde Of t,eonc
'r" CORK or Bremen, landing our shores on one dew
may on The next be ma rched in solid c,l,r,s q, H.
po's not ofthc slightest Consequence wbe,bcr tho
.e@ period OF probation be Of longer or shorter dur,,oo
Is OIL lar more Importance, that whether i, be one o
twenty years, it shall be ngldly confirmed IN. and al
"'"i violations or evasicns oft severely and rremny
punished Especially important is i, that j, ehsuld h.
determined whether Congress, which, according to the
'eaefa Constitution, possesses The exclusive power to
'eessae on''hs suffice, Of naiuraza,ion sh, hermit il,