The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-15
ASTOUNDING POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS.
General Scott ON the NaturaliZa-
ton Laws.
HIGHLY INTERESTING DOCUMENTS,
&c., &C., SO.
TIKI LETTER OF NOVEMBER, 1871.
WARRINGTON. November 10,


to add, in behalf Of several hundred native Amer-
can republicans of Philadelphis.
Not confidently, but not for publication, have
already replied to a letter from David M Stone,
Esq, Of your city, on the same subject will write
TO you in like manner, and in haste. This is the
month when the pressure of official business is hea-
West with me-leaying scarcely time for sleep or
exercise: must not, however, wholly neglect your
communication.
Should any considerable number of my fellow
countrymen assign me, or desire to give me, pro-
minent position before the public, shall take time
to methodist my views the great questions you
have proposed. Those views have their origin in
the stormy elections Of the spring Of 1885, and were
confirmed in the week that the Harrison electors
were chosen in New York On both occasions was
IN that city, and heard in the streets, "Down with
the natives" 1t was heard in almost every group
OF foreigners, rs the signal for ralIying and out
rage.
me in my parlOr at the Aston House November,
1S4O,) to draw up an address-designed to rally an
American party.
The day after the election set out for the South
and have never known precisely why our appeal was
not published. Probably the election Of General
Harrison rendered the publication at that time un-
necessary in the opinion of my two friends.
! now hesitate between extending the period Of
residence before naturalization, and q total repeal
OF all acts Of Congress on the subject-my mind III
olines to the latter.
Concurring fully in the principles of the Phila-
dephia movement, should prefer assuming the
name.of American republican, as in New York, or
democratic Americans, as should respectfully sug-
gest. Brought up in the principles Of the revolu-
tion-of jefferson Madison, &c.-under whom, in
youth, commenced life, have always been called,
have ever professed myself, republican, whig,
which with me was the Same thing. Democratic
Americans would include al good native citizens
devoted to our country and institutions; would not
drive from naturalized citizens, who by long re-
sidence, have become identified with us in feeling
and interest.
l an happy to see, by the PHILADELPHIA National
k1,aAua L.
element. staunch Protestant as am, both by birth
and conviction, shall never consent to party or
State religion. Religion is too sacred to be mingled
with either 1t should always be kept between
each individual and his God, Except in the way of
reason and gentle persuason-a as in family churches
and other occasions Of voluntary attendance CATER
years Of diseretion,) or reciprocal consent.
other have happily set "Slf o yeman
with high respect, your fellow citizen,
WIsFIELp Scorr.
To George Washington Reed, Esq, and others,
Philadelphia.
GEN. eC0Tr's COMMUNICATION TO THE NATIONAL
LNTELLIGENCER.
The following communication, written by General
Scott is copied from the Washington Intaligencer,
and is published Is it appeared in that paper
CFro0 the National Inteuigcpcer, Dec IT. 1sAl
COMMUNICATION.
NOTES on THE ADMISSION OF ALIENS TO CITIZEN
SHIP.
1.-THE Congress shall have the power" g to establish
article J. section s. clause A.
On this power, or on all citizens who may be
adopted under any established rule made pursuant
to tho power the constitution ITSELF in other parts
imposes four limitations or restrictions
1.-"No person shall be a Representative who shall
Rot have been seven citizen Of the United
States "E(.arhcie l. aee'io~2, elause2)
NO person shall be . Senator who shall not have
t&c.] been nine years citizen Of the United States
k.artiese l, secfiea 8, CLAUSE 81
zen Of the United States At the time Of the adoption Of
this constitution shall be eligible to the Office Of Presi
No e - ana 70 III. o,
Preedent shall be eligible to that Of Vice President Of
the United States -(4mendme'ts, article IL, clause
Under the power and the restrictions here seve-
rally quoted Congress may legslate on this subject,
in the shape Of uniform rule-that is, q rule the
same, for the time being, throughout tho whole
Union and its territories.
1t is seen then that the constitution ITSELF in re.
spect to foreigners, eontemplates or establishes
many distinct degrees Of citizenship, besides age,
sex, and residence. 1st Congress, under the dele
gated power, might, by uniform rule, confer on ali
aliens, Immediately on arrival-instead of at the
end Of FIRE years. as at present-the right of holding
and transmitting property of every description the
right Of voting for President, Vice President and
members Of Congress the night Of voting and being
voted for, in respect to all State offices and trusts
and the right Of holding all federal Offices with the
exceptions which follow. Yet, as at present, I'd,
No such adopted citizen would be eligible to seat
IN the House Of Representatives, nor until seven
years after taking the oath nor, Sd, To seat in
the Senate, until two years more making nine nor,
18th, Ever to the Presidency or Vice Presidency
whilst, 9th, There yet among us some foreigners
~ birth, who, having been here prior to the adop-
lion Of the constitution, are eligible to the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency, and enjoying every other
right Of natural born citizens. Behold, then, at
this moment, within the bosom of our country,
foreigners holding, by naturalization. five seve.
raj gradcs of citizenship; besides, 9th. A host
OF other foreigners all personally under the protec.
ton Of our laws, with the right to acquire to hold
and to transmit property, including Gin several
States) lands and houses, and all (ales) again. in
different stages Of advancement towards the acaui-
siton of tho political rights under the first four
heads above. II is, therefore, shown that the con-
stituti0n, by 8 . uniform rule Of naturalization"
did not meau sUic under which all rights whatso-
ever of native bon citizens should he conferred on
aliens (sn6sfqpe,itg srg;ging in the country at
once, and in lump Ono right Nhe second aboye)
the constitution withholds for years after ma
turalzaton; another the tbird) for nine years. and
the fourth forever. II We follow strictly etymologi
cal meaning, it would be bull to say that Con-
gress can, by rule of naturalization, make TO
reigncr natural born citizen. !" Naturalization
Isl technical term, borrowed by our constitution
from English law-just as ierying ,car, orGt act Of
treason, Sc, were borrowed by the same instru-
ment from the same source To find the lega
meaning of either term, we have always been
obliged to look to that fountain rather than
TO dictionaries. Nothing is more natural or
common than such technical reference
In the English practice of Naturalization Il Is
exceedingly rare to find that aliens have been ad-
anitted 10 ali the rights nf horn anh;aaA J.. f.