Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-01-20
In our last we expressed ourself gratifed

In our last we expressed ourself gratiied
by the views of the Governo-, both with re-
gard to the naturalization laws of the coun-
try generally, and the three month law Of the
territory. With regard to the naturalization
laws of the country generally, we believe
the Governor but echoes the sentiment of
large majority of the people; and with re-
gard to the three month law of the territory,
what views may be entertained, is immatcri-
al, because it is al best but the endorsement
of right guaranteed by higher authority !;
an authority which the territory can neither
strengthen nor destroy. BY the original COM
pact made in csding the northwest territory
all inhabitants of tho territory occupy COM
mon ground in the matter of the formation
of their constitution; and in forming that
constitution. of course such policy will be
adopted with regard TO the foreigners that
may thereafter seek our shores as is deemed
best. This provision, in our opinion, is a
wise and jus, one, framed in an enlightened
spiri, Of liberality and with proper views of
human rights; more proper we think than
our legislature possessed, for the privileges
granted were not restricted exclusively TO
,rhite inhabitants. 1t is narrow and selfish
feeling which contends for The right of few
to c>r,, , constitution -, ,,b;.L IL 49,. ,<s,,ol
y interested. So far as being alien is con-
cerned, we are not less alien TO this mme.
date soil, than those who came across the
Atlantic; We came perhaps from ncw, instead
of old, England. Doubtless we shall here
be met by the standing argument, that TO-
reisncrs are not imbuded with the spirit of
our institutions. If we understand it, the
spirit of our institutions is human liberty and
equal rights, and this spirit never burned
more clearly and purely than in the breasts
ofour fathers, the then subjects Of a monarch.
The principle of liberty is like the peculiar
flower which ,hrives most when most Tram
pied on, and if i, does burn secretly, we be-
lieve it burns more intensely and generally
under the sway of the oppressor than else
where. TO fear that the alien who seeks
our shore will lend his influence TO DESTROY
our republican institutions, is very much like
expecting the unencaged bird to return vo-
UNFAIRLY TO its prison house. But it is not
so much of the policy as of the light, we
would speak.
Acknowledging the RICH, and the gener-
al policy which dictated it, let them be Turk
or Jew, Yankee Doodle or Hindoo. who come
up 10 our councils 10 assist in framing our
constitution: they stand upon the soil, inha-
bi,an's thereof, possessing equal rights with
ourselves; if they are stronger than we are,
that is their luck; and if,hey choose to frame
a constitution Objectionable TO US as natives,
they will doubtless accord to US the privilege
which We should not withhold from them I'M
der other c.rcumstsnces-of leaving the
country
An effort will doubtless be made during
the present session of the legislature TO pro-
cure revocation OF the opinion expressed
last winter in the law on this subject; and in
view of such effort, we are particularly plea