The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-10
CON erosion AL .
REMARKS OF Mr.. SIMS,
or SOUTH CAROLINA,


Mr. SIMS rose and said
Ma. SPEAKER: But for the eloquent remarks
which have just fallen from the gentleman from
Virginia, [Mr BEDMGER | would not have
uoubled the House, having cherished the hope that
this debate, already so protracted, would come 10 a
speedy termination. have felt pleasure in reading
the account so well described by the gentleman,
which is givenby Weems in his Life of Marion, OF
the feeling manner in which the Father Of his country
had expressed himself on visiting the spot where
X De Kalb is sleeping; and the sentiments TO which
Washington gave ut,eranee on that occasion, find a
ready response in my own bosom. But | feel that
is my duty 10 add one fact 10 the Information pos
sessed by the gentleman in relation 10 the grave OF
which he spoke He remarked that the sacred spot
d is still unmarked by stone or monument.
SIR, the last remains Of De Kalb sleep in South
Carolina, in the bosom of that town in whose de-
fence he CALAMITY sacrificed his life but they sleep
not ia neglect or forgetfulness. Above his ashes
stands beautiful monument and the marble which
generous and willing gratitude has there piled up,
while il bears appropriate Inscriptions Of the brave
and distinguished soldier of freedom, records
also the noble tribute of people whom he died TO
defend, TO the worthy foreigner Ii teaches now,
and for generations 10 come Will utter the same Ian
guage, hospitality to the stranger; and while per-
,etuates the memory of De Kalb, will equally per-
,etuate the sentiment Of South Carolina ON the sub
ect of native Americanism. While that monument
stands. South Carolina, at least will oppose these
new heresies. ..
But not only rs the spot mus appropriately mark
I'D. Perhaps nothing could be more touchingly
beautiful or thriingly sublime than the circum-
stances in which, on a most happy occasion, the
grateful design was commenced When that other
lustrious foreigner, who, some half century before,
had left the gayeties of Paris TO mmge, a volun-
teer with the defenders Of rights made his last
visit to this country, and, passing in trumpha pro-
cession through the limits of the Union, receiy
ed into South Carolina with suitable digntes and
hOsPital,es as the States guest he was called upon
IL. ~. r-afna Vaa. he krn ~ off
ette amidst an admiring throng Of Cardinals wor-
thest and fairest daughters then assembled at
Camden, placed the FIRST stone on which the pari-
ohc feelings Of the people of that State to
becoming token Of respect to the memory of the
brave and good DE Kalb. Here in the living and
the dead, is exhibited scene powerfully sufficient
TO teach US liberal policy to the foreigner who
seeks an asylum among US.
l rose principally TO make this explanations;
but, since 1 up, | will add few remarks
on the subject more Immediately before the
House. The question is The reference of GER
tain resolutions Of the legislature Of Massachusetts,
which were presented by respected representative
Of that State. From careful examination of these
resolutions, have come to the conclusion that it is
improper they should be referred at all. Should
they be, they will receive destiny very differ
ent from that intended for them by their authors.
They first point out what the legislature pleaee to
regard mschiefs connected with the laws of nat
uralizaon, and then claim the agency of her repre-
sentatives in obtaining remedy. They are, in
fact, resolutions of instruction to the senator's, and
Of request to the representatives in Congress from
l that State. They are not directed to this House,
L nor do they appeal to Congress for any answer.
The governor is directed, in TERMS to furnish copies
Of them to the senator's and representatives with
request that they will their best efforts effect
i the purposes indicated. As resolutions from a
State legislature they entitled to all proper re-
spect; but after the House has SO far entertained
\ them to receive, them and hear them read their
proper destination would be to lay them on the ta-
i bic. This is as much the House can be asked to
dot is more than the resolutions themselves ask.
Il On the main subject, the House has been very
eloquenty appealed to by the gentleman from Phil
adephia, [Mr, LEvN.l 1t is not my design to in
i duge in any defamation in reply. | will content
myself with following the argument which that
gentleman has beautifully elaborated; and, after
4 condensing, will endeavor to answer il. Ii was
stated that Europe pouring out her ignorant
pauper population upon us; and, TO break the force
of the conclusion drawn from the life and services
of Lafayette in vndicaon of policy to foreign
I ers, it urged that those who come among us
generally were very unlike to him in wealth and in
telligence. The whole argument, disrobed of its
dapery, is substantially embraced in this statement,
srd amounts to the affirmation that Foreigners
should be postponed in the rights Of citizenship for
ttwenty-one years, because they are poor and gno-
rant Here are three distinct considerations pre-
sened for the proposed change in the laws of natu-
ralization, in conformity with the views Of the
tive Americans: first, they are ignorant; secondly,
tney are poor ana, lnlruly, they are Foreigners.
do not propose to go into the argument at length
against this old federal heresy recently revived UNI
der the name Of "nativesm;'' will show that by
proving too much 1t results in the establishment Of
nothing. Ignorance and poverty are as practicable
of one people another; and il there be reason
this account exclude foreigners resident among us
from the exercise and enjoyment Of political rights,
! the reason for similar exclusion Of our people
who bear the same misfortunes, rs equally strong.
The argument resovesit itself into this that wealth and
u I'D of rich n
What is this but the exploded heresy which produced
the struggle of our revolution, the revival of princi
pies and practices which we have ever resisted? If
shall prevail, it will establish in this country the
! dogrnas of European tyranny, the fundamental
a maxim Of which, as exhibited in the framework of
their governments, is, that high birth, education,
4 and wealth. should govern the masses Of the peo-
4 pie. Now, am very sure that neither the gentle
man from Philadelphia, nor ATTY Of those who act
d with him, will contend for the principle to this ex-
tent yet this is in fact his argument, and this the
legitimate extent of its comprehension. Because
these people poor and ignorant, they are to be
excluded from citizenship among How so'
Evidently because wealth and science should gov
4 ern the masses here, in Europe. The proposed
argument in advocacy Of the system results in this,
and in its operation subjects the civil rights and
labor of the great mass OF the American people to
the control of combined capital and science. Such is
the doctrine commended for and to state il is its sui-
i cient refutation.
But the other branch of the argument is rested on
different position. The fact Of alien birth is relied
upon, in connection with the known feelings Of the
human heart towards the spot Of native home, to
subsantiate the argument II is said that il will be
impossible to eradicate from the breast Of foreigners
the opinions and associations Of their youth; that
they will cast longing, lingering look back upon
the scenes Of their childhood. 1t true, no
forget the place Of his BIRTH the sacred associations
of his earliest years, the sweet membranes Of
i his chdhoods home 1t is the instinct Of nature
and il may not be eradicated
Through all the scenes Of busy manhood no mat
ter how we wander into distant lands this fair dream
more brightly, or more dmly visible will follow us
II is natures law, and would not alter it, But the
the objection is twofold: First, it on
false conception Of the origin and object Of civil gov
eminent; and, secondly, L refutes itself in the adj
mission, that at any period, even at the expiration
Of twenty one years, Il may cease to operate.
There are two species Of government existing in
human society, Of concurrent object and operation,
the one subordinate TO-, and sustained by the other;