The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-13
Speech Of the Hon. Lewis @. Levin,
In the House OF REPRESENTATIVES.. March 2,

The House being in Committee Of the Whole the
sa'e Of the Union aud having under confederation the
phi Tor raising regiment Of Mounted Riaemen' NJ:
LEVIN moved the following amendment-Provided that
cans by birth.
MIR L.vrS being entitled to the noor sad-Mr. Chair
man. oner this amendment in the spirit that dictat-
ed the policy Of the immortal Washington in
iuuonary war, when from his camp at Cambridge, he
issued his order to place but natives the out
1t 10 high time to be cautious, when the nation is called
upon to arm for its defences and 1t high
tme sir to ascertain who our friends-and who
our foes-who are Americans and who the subjects Of
our enemies II is high time to make this enquiry when
no distinction between aliens and natuiazsd citizens
no shade Of difference between aliens and native born
americans Did Washington think 50, sir, when he
from 1t. He who quailed in battle-he who
erred in Judgment thought differently. his ad.
mrable sagacity that saved the country, by this wise
discrimination. He knew where TO place every man,
Experience had taught him that the post Of the foreigner
great emergencies he could rely on the native soldier
who rallied to the fight to defend his Homestead his
family, and his native land Now sir shall take the
experience Of Washington for a guide, or shall we
abide by the report of the Judiciary which
procaims in substance that native citizens are in DO
the highest political rights concerned equal to the
natursIized ciszena Need I ask this question Of an
American Congress trust not, sir But to the point
Its proposed TO raise regiment Of mounted nemen
aid ID the defence Of he frontier settlements-"e out
defend the SOIL than the native bornthe hardy pioneer
who peoples n-who settles it-who loves it-who has
ms wne ms Children and!ss a-saked on its preserva
ton Will you place such man equality with
the aien or even equality with the naturalzed
citizen under our present lao system IF naturalization
Would Washington have done soi ask you to turn
his order at Cambridge for conclusive reply.
The States have an unquestonable right to decide
what terms American citizens shall in their re-
spective States. But if the States grant TO aliens
the right to vote electors of the United States they
President and Vice President Of ths United States Now
sir the powers delegated to the general are
that class only deemed necessary to its perfect orga
Nh torm If haiti dnf
mutation would be necessary naturalization designed
only to confer rights relative property or protection
that belorg to the residents Of states How for ex.
ample sir s that clause Of the Constitution to be
Offices of the republic, but by the naturalization laws,
they confer the right to VOTE and the right of elgi
Iy ~, 20 oce CGncsSs for the saks Of arsumen
voteunder the belief that the States exclusive
jurisdiction IN that matter, as the Judiciary Report,
now before the House, contends-how could the prov.
sions Of the Constitution be carried out The States
would make determination between aliens and ma
tves-no certificate Of naturalization would be
ssry-no recori OF alienage could DO traced-and the
whole fabric Of the government would fall under the
control Of foreigners in fsgrant violation Of the most
solemn and fundamental provisions of our organic
laws. This, sir, Is one Of the most obvious conse
that the States possess the exclusive right to regulate
the right Of suffrage this had been the case, sir why
%s n Of e %
years. The very fact that Congress has. at various
shows, concusvely that the great and iundamen
tai right conferred by the laws Of Naturalization was
American suffrage Is high prerogative. II can ema
nate but from two sources-bth, and naturalization by
the American government Its great distinguishing
right OF sovereignty The elective franchsethe right
to governhe right to rulethe right to vote for Presi
members Of Congress Without this right NO man can
he an American cis.sn-no sir not even the alien in
Ys. cir the 6rst principle the great fundamental doc
trine Of the native American party incorporate
u unr ~ ts me nve ear law
cans The Constitution itself is the fountain head Of
(which as have just ono ed, shows that member
Congress can be elected by voters naturaized
cause the naturalization law Of the United States pre-
scrbss the qualification Of the electors to the most
erous branch Of the State Legislatures And yet air.
with this flood of light beaming upon the pages Of the
Constitution, told by American representatives
their foreign allegiance cnging to their limbs have the
right to become the rulers Of Americans Shall be
told sir that the doctrine for which contend nvades
the rights OF the States State rights sir when they
are State rights will at all times and under ell crcum
stances find in me an unfinching advocate. But the
mercer OF central power" will never ntimdate q
tive American from defending the Constitution our ma
tiona fame our national charactersn that cling to
as precious. or boast Of immortal, flows from the
central power" which has it's origin its heart ito pull
saons, In the Congress and President of the United
states what central power" but the Constitution
What are We as q people, withoutitf What would We
become, we had not this glorious central pox or"
the focus OF that circle around which revoivs their
whole consideration Of the sisters OF freedom Show
m In what particular the rights of the States
ferson's administrator Was be an enemy OF state
rights Will any ono venture that assertion
The States therefore, cannot admit aliens to voteths
basis Of all American suffrage being United States
naturalization law extending and controlling all
the States in an uniform manner making State court
question q con.tiiusional law than this sonssoilins
power Of the Union over the right Of suffsge in the
alien. But SIR have been told that if we deny i'm
mediate naturalization Of the alep and s consequent
right Of suffrage. that it will create moody discomfort,
and lead to secret csbas II not bloody nsurrsctions
Faction in her widest moods Of lust conceived
purer fiction az the plea which to Justify system
ofpcical debauchsry. What sir. extend the term Of
probation, and 10 the alien 10 to become insurgent
rebel against the laws co,coct plots and form conspra
and FORM plant the dagger Of the traitor in the heart
Of ireedom-and all, because demand Of him the
sons such the picture Of ellen treason drawn BY the
prolific imaeinstions of the ultra liberals, who plead
universal suffrage as the only tie that can bind the heart
OF the alien. IN htety to government OF freemen.
Sir the fact support tina theory these champions
Of roysl rebels against freedom, the make
ship those who hereafter visit u.s. prevent them
from contsmlnaiing our thores-the sooner, repeat
we do tnis, the better for the country.
deny sir that any extension Of naturalization law
can make them mole distinct" than they at this
s sy and dc Ss
population but they labor to surround themselves with
all the moral and political rampar.s Of their European
nationality; they study how to resist the charm OF Anne
rcan amsgamson and how to perpetuse forever their
homage to kngs-their alteration Of monarchy end
their reverence for feudal institutions crested with the
dust Of ages, and fed by the blood of millions
Do you ask. SIR why twenty-ono years will prove
ecacious sverDg these DISASTROUS these melancho
ly eascts7 Because II will operate to disperse and
vert bands and combinations Of foreign voters
and cut of oil motives in domestic demagogues to fater
ther passions and pander to their illicit suffages.
When the foot Of the alien touches the American soil
knowing that twenty.ene years must eapse before he
can vote all his faculties will become absorbed in his
business pursuits. He will not much dream Of po-
Iitical contention No domestic demagogue will be
found waiting to greet him his landing, and initiate
him in the yserss of corruption No countryman Of
mis- own will stand with impatient eagerness to enroll
him member Of foreign society in order to cast
combined against free institutions Twenty.one
years cuts esunder all the thresds Of aation, tainted
with pestilcnce teeming with anarchy. II opens
disfsnt future which to the burning zeal OF liticai
Hail salxn mi