Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-09-27
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.

+ .
The character and position of Mr. Senator ARCHER
(of Virginia) give great interest to the following
Letter from his pen, which we find published in the
Philadelphia papers
SARAToGA SPnlSGs, SEPT. 8, ls45.
Dean SIN II is in very brief and hurried only,
that amid the distractions of this place, enabled give
the your request for my opinion of the fitness Of
arrangement of Law of Naturalization so as to make
American birth the future condition of American citizenship.
premise that opinion favorable such requirement
be attended with effort conbutoy the advancement
Of object the prevalent and adverse opinion being firmly
established for overthrow The expression Of this opinion
only have the result Of exciting clamor mpang the popu
ary of those who it. and obsrucng perhaps the pro-
gress Of the American Republican party As it has for long
time, however, been my practice to have
CARDS the avowa Of my opinions public questions, when
properly requested do not hesitate respond your
quest in the present instance.
The great advance of country population strips the
proposed inquiry of any necessary consideration Of earlier
policy of inviting the growth of people by foreign conbu
ton That growth sufficient for all purposes oarge power and
prosperity, and under the influence of law Of rapid indigo
multiplication leaves assuredly full liberty
suit and be guided by any consideration Of differently advised
policy which may to demand our attention.
peratye in requirements Among them is Of very
general nature which that account perhaps may with
readiness and effect be referred aude the great adj
vantage homogeneous character of the people composing
nation in regard political administrations When portions
the nation emgrants from countries with forms of civil
policy essentially differing inevitably adverse to those of
the receiving naon as in how these have
the just appreciation the adequate knowledge of the value
and structure and operation Of very peculiar and
anomalous forms Of government which qualify for participation
in the conduct Of them This is consideration which does
not require to be enlarged upon The suggestion sufficient
and the inference equally nconestabe and important Diver
sites Of interest among the parts may contribute to the pros
pety Of State but diverses of social and political
character in its people the harmonious and successful
duct of its political affairs Why shall this material inconve-
nence, it may be great hazard to the perpetuy Of its
stuons least in unaered character be incurred by
nation like ours if redundant epee yet certainly su
fcienty Astounding in population Of the character
not at liberty say the best in all respects yet certainly the
best adapted to institutions Is it that men who
pass the change their minds and their affections and the
principles and the preudcss which may unfit them for par
cipance in pure and free government readily their eli
mate The adage which ponounces the Of this pro-
position has been received in all time as just
Let any truly patriotic consult his bosom does he
find there moniton that removed any other country than
his own he love it his own Will he not treat
the suggestion that he would injustice and an injury
Can he be fit thencan it be either expeden right that he
should have extended to him participation in the
this other country which may be has variant interests and
commercial policy permanently adverse those Of his own
country and at any time into military conflict,
threatening the prosperity, or it may be the cherished insu
tons of his own Can be proceeding consonant to sound
morals to sound policy either put in this condition
of econcable separation between their affections and their
dutes-between their position and their obligations Yet
this the unquesoned predcament in which every sound
hearted may find himself by the process
Of naturalization do not ask whether he ought place
himself in this position consent to occupy it. That is for
himself and his conscience my conscience decide
But do ask whether it be for the country to
which he may have transferred himself from his the
improvement of his pecunary condition, of its accord
and without any impenous policy demanding insist on
placing men, and large and continuously flowing Of
men, with no limitation to numbers, in this position
II is remark, which does not require be re-
peaed that the denial of citizenship the right to take
part in the exercise of sovereignty and the of
political affairs involves necessity for the denial Of any
other right to foreigners who may occasion domcae
with To every right privilege appurtenant properly
the full attainment Of the object which be supposed
bring them to country, the acquisition and enjoyment of
property, the guaranty should be efficient the natives
No is found urging objections this score than
the continuance of all privileges, those Of citizenship ncu
sive, where they have heretofore been conceded.
As the silly abstraction in the mouths of people
that refusal to extend equality of privilege to all resident
among would be in contraventon of our institutions
cannot be necessary say any thing There would be
end of all national independence and social safety the peo
pie invested with the property of Staethe Nation-wee
be restrained in adopting order according its views
of policy regarded the parties who should be admitted to
the participation of its sovereignty Under such principle
hordcs of Hndosanese, Chinese Hayens might force
themselves without limit, without fitness,
eighty, become preponderant in the population
terry in the government and change il under its
own FORMS proposition be stupid than that
because admit into my family, find him employment
and him the fruits Of his labor also obliged to
admit him to full participation in the regulation of my
household and its inmates.
have thus hastily could put words on paper given
the your request for my opinion the question
you proposed As far advised nation, save our
own, admits except in individual special favor other
than its indigenous population 10 the full enjoyment of po
cal well civil rights The possession and guaranty of
this last class Of rights satisfying my Judgment all Just and
petensons the part of the immigrant popua
ton is my opinion that nation would do right and well
conform to the universal principle of action of other ma
TONS conceding superior advantages in this important
spect beyond those they concede The Father our
liberty, had he been obliged by defeat retire to foreign
land, would have found asylum only Gin the best event.
not citizenship. Shall every tenant Of lazarhouse abroad
rights of which, from defective education he cannot know
coplv