Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1852-07-17
Gen. Scott and the Naturallzed
Citizens.

Il d WRgSoaaN saS &1SSs@a - -
Scott, and being unable 70 hunbug the
" Natives /" have turned their attention to
the natnralizsd citizens. in the vain hope
Of being able to tumbng that intelligent
portion Of our population. Their attempt
to make Gen. Scott appear opposed to
the natnralized citizen. III favor Of repeal-
ing all naturalization laws, and as opposed
TO foreigners becoming American citizens.
has proved q perfect failure. The history
Of Gen. SCOTS connection with Native
Americanism is briefly this: The Native
American agitation which had infused
itself throughout the Union. in 1916, burst
out with all its fury in Philadelphia and
led to serious riots, in which two Catholic.
Churches were burned, several lives lost,
and many persons badly wounded. An
intense excitement spread over the whole
confederacy. The Irish were reported as
the first aggressors, aud popular feeling
ran high against them. Under the in1u-
ence Of this excitement Gen. Scott wrote
one or Two letters eyincing sympathy with
the popular feeling and a desire that the
privileges of naturalization should be cur
tailed or repealed.
The excitement having passed away,
and reason having again resumed her
sway, Gen. Scott, as we'll ne most others
who had inclined TO Native Americana
ism" expressly aepNdiatsa the idea of
making any change in OUT laws which
would render naturalization more difficult.
His letter ayowing these views was writ
ten four years ago aud has been before the
public we publish 1t to show how little
foundation there is in the assertion. that
Gen. Scott is opposed to the naturalized
citizen
WASHINGTON, May 20, 1648.
Dear Sw:-In reply to your kind letter
Of the 9Th inst, / take pleasure in saying
that. grateful for the 100 partial estimate
You place on my public services, you do
me no more than justice in assuming that
I entertain /" kind and liberal views to.
wards our laturalized citizens" Certainly
it would be impossible for me 10 recon-
mend or support any measure intended to
exclude them from a just aud full partici-
patton in all civil and political rights now
secured to them by orr republican laws
and institutions.
1t is true that, in a season Of unusual
excitement, some years ago, when both
parties complained OF fraudulent practices
in the naturalization Of foreigners, and
when there seemed 10 be danger that ma
tive and adopted citizens Wonld be perna-
nently arrayed against each other in hostile
factions, / was inclined to concu in the
opinion-then avowed by many leading
statesmer--lhat some modification OF The
naturalization laws might be necessary IN
order to prevent abuses, allay strife, and
restore harmony between the. different
classes of our people. But later czpe,,5-
ence and yeaection haze entirely yemoge.z
this impression, and dissipated my appre-
tensions.
In my recent campaign in Mexico, a
very large proportion Of the lei under
my command We're your countrymen
(1rish,) Germans, &c. / witnessed with
admiration their zeal, fidelity and valor in
maintaining our flag in the face Of every
danger. Vielng with each other. and our
native born soldiers in the same ranks, in
patriotism, constancy and heroic daring, I
was happy to call them brothers in the
field, as / shall always be to salute them
as countrymen al home.
] remain, dear Sir, with
Great esteem, yours truly,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
WIN. e. ROBINSON. Esq.
in Gen. Scots letter accepting the
Wing nomination he avows a desire to
see our naturalization laws 90 amended as
not 10 restrict IN any degree the facilities
to becoming American citizens, but to
enlarge them SO as to admit to citizenship
all who shall have served und .r the flag
of this country for.one year, and who shall
have received an honorable discharge
from said service. This is not only a lib.
eral bu. a wise suggestion, which we hope
to see carried out. We deem i, unneces-
sary to show the hypocrisy Of the men
who would make the adopted citizen be-
lieve that Gen. Scott is unworthy their
support, by showing that the leaders Of
the Native American movement in this
State were men, who are now Yarmouth
ed Democrats, who are using every means
fair or foul. to defeat The election Of Gen.
Scott, and that not the least objection
which they at heart have 10 him is, that
he wishes every mar who serves his
country in actual war fol. one year. and
who has received an honorable discharge,
to have and exercise the right Of an
American citizen. whether he be an Irish
man, Dutchman, Frenchnan. Englishman
or any other sohite mdysss
The AMERICAN VINO REyIEw.-The
July number Of this sterling Wing Review
is now on our desk III contains an excel
lent steel engraving Of Tom Corwin,"
end is full Of valuable political informa-
Il y Indispensable to . politician.
Wing Of Democrat. Terms. three dollars
in advance. Address Champion Bissell.
Publisher, 100 Nassau street, New York.