Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-08
CONVERSATIONS.
TotAe Editors of the Enquirer:
Nrw KrYr Co Feb 3.

Tatae Editors of the Enquirer:
New KENT Co., Feb. }. 1S45
/Dear Sirs For some days past my attention
has been attracted TO the columns of the Enquirer,
by the appearance of new series OF the Ran.
dolph Epistles, which l have read with equal
pleasure and instruction. 1t is impossible, indeed,
not 10 admire the vigorous style, conclusive facts,
and forcible logic, which the writer has brought
10 bear upon the subjects he has touched, while,
10 mn mind, the entire argument is perfectly sa-
tistac,ory There is, however, an omission in No.
s. written in great haste, in the reply to Mr..
Kennedys objection to admitting Texas as a
State which shall venture to supply.
In relation to the qualifications for membership
in the Senate or House Of Representatives resi-
dence of nine and seven years is in certain cases,
required by the Constitution The question is
TO whom does this provision apply2 To adopted
citizens cerainly-but TO such as have been made
so under our naturalization laws-and for very
plain and obvious reason. Most of that class OF
our citizens have been born and reared under IN
siiiutons so different from ours, that some time IS
necessarily required for them TO learn both the
principles and operation of our system whilst
IIhe widely differing and conflicting policy OF
their native country makes the same time neces-
sary in order TO acquire the requisite know
ledge Of the true policy OF the country OF their
adoption, TO enable them 10 egislate for It's inter-
ests. Besides, as many foreigners are driven TO
our shores by necessity or convenience, notwh-
standing the oath OF allegiance sworn 10 the CO.
yernment OF The u States, it is impossible at once
10 discard those predictions, Tor ones native
land, which nature has implanted in the bosom
OF man. The will controlling the conduct, may
have renounced forever its soil, its claims, its
laws aud institutions; but. the feelings are not so
easily subdued, and in spite of change OF resi-
dence prejudice inclines TO Fatherland It is ne
cessary that these feelings should be wean-
ed. these prejudices eradicaied, before the ma
,uralized citizen can become fit legislator, in
hi, altered political and social relations. But
none Of these objections apply 10 the case of Tex
as, large majority oil whose population having
been citizens Of the United States, must be suppo-
sed to have a competent knowledge of the Cons,i-
tuition and policy Of our Government, and there
lore since the reason OF the law ceases there can
be no argument for its application TO The case in
point.
But for the arguments sake, suppose Mr.. Ken
nedys objection really has some weight, is it not
all removed by the following considerations
First: the law OF nine and seven years residence
embraces only the case ofnaturalized citizens for
the reasons stated: And secondly, if it does not,
hut extends further still it seems there can be no
difficulty in relation 10 Texas; because, by the
Constitution, citizens OF one State are entitled TO
the privileges and immunities OF citizens in other
States, and are, in fact citizens Of all the States.
Well, the power is conceded 10 Congress to add
nit "new States" and no one, it is presumed, will
contend that in the exercise of this power, the CT
lizens of the new State are DISTINGUISHED. Tex
as certainly has many citizens who have dwelt
within her borders for seven and nine years, and
much longer and unless The rights Of citizenship
they have acquired are lost by their incorporation
into this Union, the very moment that act is
coAsummated, the citizens OF the State of Texas
become citizens Of the United States, and, conse-
quen,ly, entitled TO all the privileges and advan-
tages they enjoy. So that The fault of Mr.. Ken
nedys argument consists, not in misstaement
Of the law, but in its misapplication.
Another and third view is, that Texas, having
Republican form of Government inhabited for
The most part by people Of the same manners,
habits and feelings as ourselves, and whose ge-
neral interests are the same as ours, it seems abb
surd to Try them by the same test TO be applied to
those who are in all respects foreign to US; and
consequently, the trainers Of the Constitution
could never have intended itshould be So The
law of seven and nine years residence before ad-
mission into Congress, was designed tor persons
migrating TO our shores, and becoming citizens
under onr naturalization laws, and none other.-
The power to admit "new States" would be en-
,irely nngatory, were 1t otherwise.
RANDOLPH, Ja.