The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-21


wrote it, and consequently hs ought not
now to be held accountable for the doc.
trines there advanced. No man shouldbs
elevated to the Chief magistraoy of this
Republic who will let passion sway his
judgment, and especially military man.
1t is further claimed by some, Though
we believe that position snow abandoned,)
that Gen. Scott never wrote the above let
ter. We have the evidence Of Mr.. Gal
lagher, Of Baltimore, that Mr.. Reed as
sured him the letter was genuine, and
offered to furnish him with copy from
the original, which he still retained in his
possession. Further. We have the evi-
dence of whig newspapers that the letter
is genuine.
The last Belmont Chronicle copies an
article from the whig paper in Washing
ton, Pa, to show that Gen. Scott is not
catholic, and the last paragraph Of this
very letter to Reed is copied by these
whig papers to prove that fact. Thus ad-
hitting the genuiness Of the letter.
But it is claimed that after Gen. Scott
pennsd the foregoing letter, he wrote an
other, Tin 1848,) in which he backs out
Of the positions maintained in the first;
and that, in his letter accepting the nomi-
nation Of the whig national conventional he
says that should he be elected. he will
"recommend or approve Of single alter
alton in our naturalization laws, suggest
ed by my military experience, viz: giving
to all foreigners the right of citizenship
who shall faithfully serve, in time Of war,
one year on board Of our public ships or
in our land forces, regular or volunteer.
on their receiving an honorable discharge
from the service"
The Constitution declares that Congress
shall "establish an uniform rule of natu-
ralization." Now how is it possible for
this rule to be uniform. if some are to be
admitted to all the rights of citizenship
after one years service, in the army or
navy, and consequently perhaps Of but
one years residence in the United States,
while others whose convenience or incli.
nation it does not suit TO enter the army or
navy, must wait their full term Of five
years? Would there be any uniformity
about such law? Gen. Scott ought to
study the Constitution little more before
he talks about what he will or will no,
recommend in the event of his election.
and thereby save himself and friends the
modification of displaying his ignorance
of its provisions, and consequently unfit
ness for the station in which his friends
seek to place him.
But we shall close this subject for the
present, with the conclusions TO which the
Washington Union came after publishing
all Gen. Scott's letters on this question:
First. That General Scott has made
the naturalization laws capital topic Of
his political reflection since 1885. and that
he has written more about it than about
any other political topic whatever.
Secondly. That for thirteen years, from
1885 to l848, he inclined to the total dis
franchisement Of foreign-born citizens, by
total repeal of the naturalization laws.
| Thirdly. That in 1840 he framed the
Organization Of a party to accomplish that
object.
Fourthly. That he continued TO be Of
this mind until 1848, when native Ameri.
canism and "the Philadelphia movement"
has become unpopular, and until nomi-
nation for the presidency was coming of.
Filthy. That General Scotts views on
the whole subject then underwent sudden
and wonderful change; that this change of
views in favor Of loreign-born citizens is
placed by Gen. Scot, expressly on the
ground Of their military conduct in Mexico.
And sirthly. That, in view Of that con-
duct, he, in his letter accepting the whig
nomination and platform, pledges himself
to recommend measure of odious and
invidious discrimination in favor OF for
eigners serving in the army and navy,
which is utterly repugnant TO the constitu-
ton Of the United States, and utterly un.
known to the party platform on which he
accepts the nomination.
And now we ask, what record can be
worse than this2 What element Of objec-
tionableness, Of odiousness, Of injustice,
Of untrustworthiness, of.'eminent disqual-
iication for the highest civil Office" does
il lack?
Is most rancorous spirit Of proscrip-
ton towards millions Of our adopted ciii-
zens disqualification for the presidency!
This record shows that spirit to have been
cherished by Gen. Scott for thirteen years,
and made the basis Of his action as par