Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-07-27


On the soil where lived and died his an
cestors, he and his pusterity were like
them 10 remain as bondsmen in their ma
tive land. All these thin rs are bright and
vivid in his memory, and because they
are, an American fears that the institn-
tons of his land will not in that mans
eyes, bear comparison with the policy
Of European governments!
We have no desire to set up uaturalized
citizens as political gods, to be worshiped
because they have chosen our land in
preference to the tyrannized chimes of Eu,
rope; we simply want them, when they
become citizens, to lose their distinctive
position, and that we may present to the
world one broad, free, and independent
lody of citizens, all ofthe same rank, ali
enjoying the same rights and privileges,
knowing no distinction save that which
genius and merit secures. The assertion
that WAsHINGToN was averse TO the mai.
uralization OF foreigners, and to their be-
ing trusted with Office, is directly contra
dicted by the history of his administration
ben that man, whose preccpts and OK
amPies oannot be too closely followed
was al the head of our government, when
Tie great deSideratum in the policy of the
nation was TO replenish the exhausted re-
sources ofthe land, impoverished by the
Iong and eventful struggle of the revoIu.
ton, did he not, from the vast body of pa.
trlots III the land. select tor the most i'm
P"Ftant nflice-~the Secretary of the Treas
HTy--a man born in foreign clima?--
DID he feur 10 place Alexander Hamilton
atthc Head ofthe financial department of
the young Republic, at a period when dan.
ger was most TO be guarded against, be-
cause the ocean rolled between his birth
place and the land Of his adoption. Was
not LAFAYETTE his favorite, and he did
not acknowledge himself indebted to ma
ny other foreigners for their efficient ser.
vice during the revolutionary struggle?
Our limits will not allow US to cite other
instances.
The next argument is, that the wise and
patriotic sages oftho revolution who, sat
in conventioA at the framing of the consti-
ton, had provided that none but native
citizens should be eligible to the office of
President and Vice President, and that
The same motive and principle which die
tated that provision was applicable to the
state government. Is this sol The OBJ
Ject Of the provision was that the chiefof
licer ofthe nation, who was TO be the rep
Tesentativcs ofthe sovereignty oftbe land
who WA TO hold intercourse with the ma.
tons of Europe, should in order to repre-
sent more becoming the nation, be a ma.
nj ho
not prompted by feelings of distrust, be
cause every other Office under the gove
eminent was left open to the naturalized
and native citizens, without distinction.
Let US see the effect of this same rule,
when applied to the office Of Governor of
Illinois. We hold, and doubtless every
member Of the convention does the same
that state is as sovereign as the Union,
or in other words, that q state is as indie
pendent Of and as distinct so far as SOW.
crcignty is concerned, from the other
states. as is the national government with
respect to any other government in Eu-
rope or on this continent. If you shall
say that the same causes, motives and
principles, which caused the adoption of
the provision in tho federal constitution,
are applicable to the State of Illinois,
you will exclude every man but native
OF this state from the office of Governor.
All must admit that the same principle
does not, ought not apply. If applied,
niue tenths ofIhe population of the state
would be Ineligible to the Office of Cover.
nor, and if carried to the extent desired by
some, more than nineteen .twentieths of
the members of the convention would be
now occupying seats in opposition TO the
spirit fsuch constitution as they desire
TO create. II is not our desire, even had
we room to speak ofthe character of the
naturalized citizens. From the formation
Of the government to the present day, no
men hns been heard to say that they have
proven false to the great political trusts
reposed IN them by the confding nature of
our institutions.
We will conclude this article ~ suppo.
sing case, which may arise ifthe ultra.
ism ofihis fanatical party--styIed "Na-
tive Amcricans"--shall be engrafted in
our constitution.
portion Of that party who seeks TO
preclude foreigners, who have been nat
uFalized, from the rights which belong to
native citizens, are advocating the claims
OF Gen. TAYLOR to the Presidency. They
arow the principle that military services
give a title to office. If the are sincere
in this doctrine, let them recollect the
memorable order fold Rough and Ready
TO the gallant May to take the murderous
battery under LA VEGA, which was deal
ing out destruction and moving down the
small bat patriotic American band. Let
them behold the gallant captain, with his
eighty men. charge. rush madlv. headlnnn