The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-06-25
ON THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
WAsHINeToN, Nov. 10, l84l.

w AShlnHlONs AtO's ~, AOfA'A
DEAR SIR IL have The honor 10 acknowl-
edge your letter of the 9Th inst, written as
YOU are pleased 10 add, in behalf Of several
hundred Native American Republicans Of
Philadelphia. ,t a]
Not confdentially but not for publication,
have already replied 10 letter from David
M. Stone, Esq, Of your city, on the same
subject. willwrile 10 you in like manner
and in haste. This is the month when the
pressure Of official business rs the heaviest
with me- Leaving scarcely time for sleep or
exercise. must not, however, wholly neg
lect your communication. IA ff,.
Should any considerable number OF my
fellow -counlrymen assign me, or desire Y
give me, prominent position before The
public, shall take lime TO melhodlze my
views on the gret questions you nave propo-
sed. Those views had their origin ln the
stormy elections Of the Springs OF 1888,
and were confirmed in the week that the
Harrison electors wele chosen in New York.
On both occasions was in that city, and
heard in the streets, "Down with The na-
lives" 1t was heard in almost every group
OF foreigners. as the signal Tor rallylng and
Outrage.
Fired ,oith idignation, two friends Sal
down with me in. my parlor al The Aslor
House, November, l840) 10 draw up an
address, ueslgned 10 rally an Americaa party.
The day after the election, sci Out for the
South, and have never known precisely why
our appeal was not published. Probably the
election of Gen. Harrison rendered lis pub
.ication al that time unnecessary In the
opinion OF my two friends. Iat&1
| now hesitate between extending the Pc
riod OF residence before naturalization, and
total repeal of all aciS Of Congress on The
SuGject-my mind inclines TO the latter.
Concurring fully in the principles ol the
Philadelphia movement, should prefer as
Stunning The name OF american Republicans,
as IN in Nrw York, or Democratic Amcii-
cans, as | wou respectively suggest, =
Brought up in The principles oil the revolu-
tion--ol Jefferson, Madison, &c. under
whom 10 youth, | commenced life, have
always been called, have ever prolessed my
self republican, or whig, which with me
was the same thing. Democratic AmericdnS
would include all good nutiUs citilizcns, Ge.
voted 10 our county AMI INSTITUTIONS; ana
would not drive from as naturalized citizens,
who, BY long residence, have become identi-
fed with us in feeling and interest.
am happy 10 see by thr Philadelphia
National American that religion is 10 be eS-
cluded as a party elment. Staunch prot
estantas ! am, both by birth and conviction,
shall never consent 10 a party or state rell-
sion. Religion is Too sacred 10 be mingled
up with either. 1t should always be kept
between each individual and his God, except
in the way of reason and gentle persuosions;
as in families, churches and other OCCASIONS
of voluntary Attendance, (after years oil dis
cretion,) or reciprocal consent.
Wishing saccess TO the great ,cork which
you and other patriots have set ON foot,
remain, with high respect, your fellow cili-
zen. Haeila WINFIELD SCOTT.
10 George Washington Reed, Esq. enc
others, Philadelphia.