Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-11-22

Within the last few months party has sprung
,.p, which arrosates 10 itself, in some places, the
Tile OF American Republican" 1t declares,
anon. many, its objects 10 be
70 extend The Term OF years during which an
alien mus. reside in this country, before he will
ne permitted 10 become citizen, 10 lwenty-one
years;
To prevent any one from holding military,
municipal or other office under this CT -'Tnment
nnlcss he shall be by birth citizen Of the United
States
To prevent the extension of belief in that re-
ii.,ion called 'Catholic," in this country: and
To force the Bible 10 he read in the public
>choos.
The question Of the proper duration Of an
aliens residence on our soil, prior 10 his adoption
iu.o civic privileges is 10 be discussed simply as
Il matter OF policy. AT the usual average OF emf
acknowledging for deaths--a half million of
rinigranls, vino had arrived during that period
~uud remain in our country after twenty-onc
years. OF these nearly one-sixlh would be male
.iuls, from eighteen 10 fifty years of age. Whe-
Tier it would be better policy TO suffer over eighty
thousand men 10 remain aliens-with alien chill
,ren-with no ties 10 bind them 10 the SOIL and no
interest in The perpetuy of our institutions; or
whether it would be more advisable 10 make them,
a!ler a moderate lapse of time, citizens BY law,
and their children citizens by birth, is a egiti-
mate subject of discussion We think the latter
course the most prudent and Just 10 ourselves
Others think differently. 1t is Il matter II argu-
men,
Blu, the three remaining objects of the falsely
called "American Republican" party, are neither
legitimate nor Just; and their very avowal is anti,
republican After We have once conferred upon
men the privileges of Citizens, we have no right
10 take that away, except from individuals Tor
individual crimes. We have no right 10 violate
:, solemn compact. We can prevent any alien
IN the future from gaining the privileges oil a cit
pen; but these privileges once granted become sa-
cred and indefeasible rights We canno, with
ont a violation OF every principle oflaw and cqu-
", either by public act OF By combination, pre-
vent al adopted citizen from holding public
office. Individuals may with impunity vote
against man, for the reason that he is a foreign
by birth, or for any other reason, or for no rea-
son al ALL but iithey combine 10 destroy any his
rights as a citizen, it is a high misdemeanor-
That which was only violation of an abstract
principle in an individual becomes legal Of
fence if he conspires with others to effect it.
Falsely indeed, when il will lead to results k.-.
these do The "Nativists" claim the sacred title ri
american Republicans" Democracy, which
alone is republicansm, is the Christian code oil
politics 1t "does unto others as it would be done
by II guards its own rights but ii respects the
rights OF others So long as men conne Them
selves 10 an object of legitimate discussion-the
alteration of The naturalization laws-so long
they may retain the title of american Republi-
cans" But whenever they attempt TO coerce
others in matters, of which God should be
The only Judge whenever they attempt TO abrogae
fights already existing, or solemnly conferred,
they violate the compact Of the American conte-
deracy, throw shame on the memory OF our fathers,
and outrage the law of love, which Is The law OF
God-[N. u Auyora.