Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-03
POLITICAL.
fELom the Ne, York pltbeianl

Err DES ETATS UNlS.
We translate from the Courier des Etats Unis,
Of the lth instant the following article, 10 which
we direc, the attention of all our readers II IS
50 ably argued. that we submit il without CON-
men, OF our own:
1.-THE union of the Native and Wing parties is
decidedly the order oil the day; and in examining
las we have promised 10 do) this question, we
willingly take our share OF the poemc which
now occupies great portion Of the press in this
country. We ought to state that this union seems
10 meet in the Wing party lively opposition
from one of the leading papers OF the city OF New
York The Tribune has come forward and pro-
claimed itself the loyal and chivalrous champion
of Wing principles, disconnected from any other.
It's Editor, however, seems 10 have studied, and
cnGcavored TO solve its problem, me.ely on the
narrow basis of the political interests il repre-
>euts our desire in this essay is 10 Try its solu-
lion on the general principles and political inter
e>,s of the Union We have, in fact, undertaken
10 demonstrate that not only the coalition uf The
Wings and Natives could bring about no chance
OF success for either party, but also, that II they
should succeed in procuring The reform IN the
naturalization laws desired by them, 1t would en-
danger the Federal Union.
"Our task would be light, indeed, were we DC
si.ous Of using against the Natives the weapons
ed in our hands; Tor ii would be sufficient 10 re-
mind the reader, that this faction has taken The
absolute responsibility OF refusing TO the natural
lied citizens admission 10 any public office, and
10 Catholicity the equality oil the religious iran
elise and thus this double oarucism would be
we'll established and there is reason 10 fear, that
4 civil and religious warfare might NC The result.
And have we not seen enough, i'll the dlsgracelul
riots OF a sister city, 10 make it but too evident
And must we not admit that il was only prelude
10 their bloody aim But our intention is not 10
speak the language Of the passions ana we VIII
I've charitable enough towards Natvism, 10 do
them the Justice TO believe, that they have scored
off their creed OF reform the Sacriligious ana
thomas. which escaped them IN time OF excite
menl. against civilization and conscience. We
are wiling 10 see in the theories OF the Natives
nothing but their own avowed principles, and
lawful ends. that is 10 say the abuse OF the naiu-
raization laws, and the necessity Of radical re-
form.
.In The frs; place. VIC are willing 10 admit The
cy;stinp abuses, and The want OF reform We
yerily believe that the legislative enactments
which now regulate the conditions OF admission
10 the rights al; citizenship, are Ear from Offering
in their yecu!ion the guarantee required ior lie
honor of Inc American Union Ihis Legislation
opcrs toe .aany facilities TO fraud and 10 perjury
berless violations Of lis euactnents But this IS
an evil which might lie obviated BY making more
ser;ors and impressive the iormalities imposed
unon the foreigner when ne becomes citizen
bnt no, by extending i.Jm five 20 twcnty-one years,
The term which shouli rrecede MS admission
For we maintain, that il would only BE- altering
fiyurcs, which, 50 far from being an obstacle TO
the scandals SO Justly denounced, would only Ia
cilita,., and rcader them more numerous; Tor, II
i is almost impossible 20 ascertain accurately
,l,e date of arl.val OF the foreigner who claims
admiss.o:. aiter Eve years residence, how VII!
Won more SLY attain your OBJECT, when You
vii. have 10 % back twenty-one years
"Bpt il will lie said, the length Of the pre-
Nmjn.ry soi3urn has less for lis object 10 pre-
y.u, fraudulent naturalization, than "a compel To-
Ie;gnsrs % serre Sufficient apprenticeship 10
ihcs. elIllical Institutions, III the cXerc. I Oh
which they NAV be called upon 10 take part
'rhi, .rg;;:ncat may appear very plausible al
frs; si.Ei, hui take care You do not 90 farther
than the cni YOU have in view IL is mprudent,
at least, for D,moc.ac: 10 admit the incapaciiy,
and lhc aeccs IL OF Il long apprenticeship
Are no. your institutions cOnprehsnded IN that
ono wori, LIBERTY ! ard ave not those sacred
prin iples ci Liberty Inmate in mans heart and
would i. not be Injurious 10 make OF Liberty
mysterious Divinity, al whose shrine none should
he permitted 10 worship bu, those who had gone
through probation Jl u years ? For tue honor
nj vour Republican institutions, do not aver that
t,rc years are insufficient 10 s,uiy and understand
their principles. VIII i. then &c Only to siudy
the in;ricacies and mechanism OF your Govern
mert, that YOU wish 10 compel the immigIan.
20 81 yea.s probation Certainly not, for
Republican Government has Just right 10 be
Dtoui OF The simplicity Of is institutions, as well
as of its plain principles. What good, then, can
-. -, Ia
iirans cannot answer this question aiirnatively,
tnreignels will not he at loss 10 solve ii. They
will tell YOU that il does not require 50 long
time to understand the meaning Of social an1 po-
.iiical equality but that il requires much
longer period 10 learn whether The interests ot
The country demand a Protective Tariff, or whe
;her it would not be more advantageous 10
return 10 the Compromise Act; whether the re-
establishment OF a United States Bank would not
&c more detrimental than favorable; whether II
would no: I've wiser to continue 10 the Executive the
rcio power, as barrier against legislative Gu
cro.chmcn,s These are undoubtedly questions,
the solution OF which require long and serious
study, and twenty-one years would be insufficient
20 zee them solved in twenly-onc different ways.
70 study and understand them well, II requires
degree vi intelligence which is rarely granted by
Divine Pro"idence, 10 the generality Vi man
kind or by civilization TO all citizens. DO you
believe that the poor lrishman who sweeps your
etfeclS, or digs your canals, would be greater
adept on the merits Of these questions after hav-
ing spent lwenty-one wears in the mud and duSi
O! your streets! or would YOU carry yonr cgoism
so lar as TO believe that il is sufficient 10 have
been born on the soil OF America 10 possess the
innate science of all these political and inancier-
ing problems or will you not admit, with us
that mos, of your native citizens, whose youths
have been spent in the rude labors OF mechanical,
q: agricultural pursuits, are no greater statesmen
than the immigrant II, therefore, in order 10 ac-
qure the rights of citizenship you require OF the
foreigner a longer and eicaciouS study not
only OF the fundamental principles of Democra-
cy, but even of all legislative problems, you
will logically b. brought 10 the necessity oil re-
curing Of the native citizen, Also ceriiiicates "i
capacity and thus strike a blow at universal sui
trase ty cnteavoring to place barrier to the ma
luralization laws.
"And whercc comes, after halt a century oil 81
Renee the sudden ire, at the pretended incapacI'y
al naturazed ci,iz .nsl Have they moi always
1nluycd those privileges, the culpable nseol winch
you now accuse them OF have no, all and every
one Of the illIs,rioas Presidents who have sue
cceiel the i'm Mortal WASHINGTON, owed their cie-
valion to the Presidential Chair, 10 those voters
whom, yau now stigmdtiZe as foreigners NO one
TAT leas. 10 our knowledge has ever though, 10
make il crime 10 Jefferson, Madison, Moiioe,
of Jackson, to have been elevated 10 the Presider-
cy hv the suffrage OF naiuraized ciiiZens; no one
has ever entertained the thought OF casting re-
proach on them for their incapaci;y or want oil
intelligence on the subject OF Republican instiu-
lions, on account of the choice made by them OF
m. Presidential candidates. But why need we
60 50 lar back this day tour years ago, when
ii. loud ,hou,s Of the people proclaimed the cleo
lion Of Harrison TO the Chief Masislracy, cid me
Wings think of complaining OF me ignorance anu
electoral corruplions OF the foreign voters! would
shey now com plain and hold out their hand: to Ma
riyism, ii IL. Clay had been elected Unqaes-
.ionably not The destinations OF the W nlss ,
asair, the pretended abuses OF naturalization, are
only the efsc, of tie bad hamor they have oeen
thrown INTO by their defeat, which we consider as
very natural, il not legitimate consequence.
Bu,, alter all, what are The proofs given oy lnem
of these aliases? Ii is true. ami we candidly adj
80, :. ,hat III. natnrati1ed citizens do not want