Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-01-08
NATIVE AMERICANISM.
OPINIONS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, JANE
MADISON, &c.


ton which framed the Constitution:
"Mr. Gouverneur Morris moved to insert
fourteen, instead of four years citizenship,
as qualification for senators; urging the
danger of admitting strangers into our pub
lie councils"
"Mr. Madison was not averse to some
restrictions on this subject, but could not
agree TO the proposed amendment. He
thought any restriction, however, in the
constitution, unnecessary and improper:
unnecessary, because the national legs-
lature is to have the right of regulating
naturalization, and can by virtue thereof
fix different periods of residence, as con-
ditions of enjoying different privileges of
citizenship; improper, because it will give
tncture of illiberality 10 the constitution;
because it will put it out of the power of
the national legislature, even by special
acts of naturalization, to confer the full
rank of citizens on meritorious strangers;
and because it will discourage the most
| desirable class of people from emigrating
to the United States. Should the proposed
constitution have the intended effect, Of
giving stability and reputation 10 our gov.
eminent, great numbers OF respectable Eu-
ropeans, men who love liberty, and wish
to partake of its blessings, will be ready
10 transfer their fortunes hither. All such
,oould feel the modification of being
marked Nth suspicious iacapacitatio ns,
though they should not covet the public
honors."
Such were some Of Mr.. Madison's views
Of imparting ga tincture of illiberaity 10
the constitution" May not the same views
be urged against any iIiberality in our
latOs2 But DR.. Franklin spoke against
the motion of Governor Morris. "The
people of Europe" said the philosophic
Franklin, care friendly to this country.
Even in the country with which we have
been lately al war, we have now, and had
during the war, great many friends; not
only among the people at large, but in
both houses of Parliament. In every 9TH
er country in Europe, all the people are
our friends. We found, in the course Of
the revolution, that many strangers served
us faithfully, and that many ndtiUes took
part against their country. When foreign.
ers, after looking about for some other
country, in which they can obtain more
happiness, give preference for ours, it is
proof of attachment which ought to ex-
cite our confidence and affection"
"Mr. Wilson said he rose with feelings
which were, perhaps, peculiar; mention
ing the circumstance of his not being
native, and the probability, if the ideas of
some gentlemen should be pursued, of his
being incapacitated from holding a place
under the very constitution which he had
shared in the trust of making. He re-
marked upon the illiberal complexion
which The motion would give the system,
and the effect which a good system would
have in inviting meritorious foreigners
among us, and the discouragemeut and
modification they must feel from the de.
grading discrimination now proposed. He
had himself experienced this modification.
On his removal into Maryland, he found
himself, from defect Of residence, under
certain legal incapacties which never
ceased 10 produce chagrin, though he as
suredly did not desire, and would not have
accepted the offices to which they related
He cited Pennsylvania, as proof of the
advantage of encouraging emigralions.
1t was, perhaps, the youngest settlement
Except Georgia. on the Atlantic; yet it
was at least among the foremost in popu-
laiion and prosperity. He remarked that
almost all the general officers, of the Penn.
sylvania line of the army were foreign
ers, and no complaint had ever been made
against their fidelity or merit. Three OF
her deputies TO the convention, (Mr. r.
Morris, Mr.. Fitzsimmons, and himself)
we're also not natives"
Mr.. Madison also stated, in the course
of his remarks on the qualification of for
eigners, that "America was indebted to
emigration for her settlement and pros
perity. That part of America which had
encouraged them most, had advanced most
rapidly in population, agriculture, and the
arts"