Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-12-22
The Naturalization Laws.

On the llth inst, Mr.. ADAMS, Of Miss
issppi, introduced bill 10 establish uni
form rule Of Naturalization throughout the
United States. Mr.. A. in bis bill proposes
10 limit the time TO constitute foreigner
citizen, twenty oue years residence in the
country. Now, this same Mr.. ADAMS, is
democrat, and be knows full well, that for.
eigners when they come TO this country,
are Immediately pressed into the ranks Of
the democracy. and nine out Of ten Of them
always continue to bold that political faith.
How comes il that the democratic party
should now wish TO extend the term Of
citizenship. before they can be entitled to
the privileges and immuuitics Of the native
born? If Mr.. ADAMS had no, distinctly
disavowed all connection with the Order Of
Know Nothings We should be inclined to
set him down as one Of them. Yet so far
as he was acquainted with their principles.
he said be agreed with them. He was in
favor Of their yisws Of extending the term
Of naturalization, and was decidedly in pref
erence Of American Protsstsnts for Office
to foreigners and Catholics. He may there
fore be considered Know Nothing at
heart.
In regard to the change Of the law we
adopt the views of the Buffalo Commercial
Advertiser. which says: 1--WE cannot un-
dertake to pronounce upon the wisdom Of
this movement. until we see the arguments
by which Mr.. ADAMS supports his position.
or until We have time 10 give the subject a
thorough examination. Our naturalization
law requires amendment-on that point we
have no doubt whatever. The question is,
whether the abuses prsc,iced under the
law are remediable by the amendments pro.
posed by Mr.. ADAMS. We are of the opin.
ion that Congress ought to restrict the &C.
foreigners. Citizenship of the United
States cannot be conferred by or under
State authority; and though State may
have the power to admit aliens to the priv.
ilegs Of State citizenship, il is one the exer.
else of which can hardly be justified by any
considerations Of policy. Tha: imperfect
and Hybrid political entity. an alien citizen
Of Illinois or Wisconsin. is. so far as the
United States is concerned. wholly alien.-
lie cannot, under the Constitution. claim in
any other State "all the privileges and i'm,
munites Of citizen" OF the State; nor, il
be go forth beyond the limits OF our coun.
try. can he invoke the power, or appeal tc
the honor Of the United States to shield
or relieve him from oppression.
"fhe Constitution has vested in Congress
exclusive power ito establish an uniform
rnle of naturalization" Congress in exc
cutting the power. has not only established
this uniform rule. but has vested in al
courts Of record, State as well as Federal
the execution Of the rule. Every petty
court which can boast a seal impressablt
upon paper. has power. equally with the
! Supreme Court Of the United States, TO de
termine the qualifications Of the alien appli
cant. and TO accept his oath of renunciatior
of foreign allegiance. and invest him will
; the privileges OF citizen OF the Unite,
States. When the character Of these pet
:y courts is considered. in connection will
the fact that their officers are, in general
elective. il may well be that the sus, ,,cio
which is fast forming. is well founded. ths
70 their NAL administration Of the law ma,
: be traced the main part Of those evil
which have become so glaring and 90 dan
gerous as to give sudden birth to gres
party for their suppression. !. may We
} be that slight verbal amendment Of th
act Of Congress. depriviDg State courts Q
I this jurisdiction. would 60 very far towar
I securing one Of the reforms. which III
! American People seem 50 earnest ia d,
= manding. and which. il is supposed. III
I American or Know Nothing party are siri'
iBg 10 attain"