Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-16
The Union VS.. Senator Adams.


After some days Of consideration and reficc-
ton, the Washington Union has at last pro-
mulgated its views upon the proposition Of
Senator Adams, but in very different language
from that used towards the Hon. Mr.. Taylor,
of Tennessee when he presented similar
proposition in the House Of Representatives.
The Union had no hesitation in assailing Mr..
Taylor, and in seeking to connect his PROPOSE
ton with religious moderation, because for
sooth Mr.. Taylor is a Wing and Methodist
minister; but this same Jesuitical press is now
as mild as summers morning, in its milk and
water comments upon the same proposition,
when presented by Democratic Senatorl
Mr.. Adams is treated very gingcrly" in the
Article referred to, us we supposed he would
bs. The Union says:
ave think Mr.. Adams labors under a mistake
as to the efficacy Of the remedy by which he pro-
po4es TO correct what he regards as great evil
the great influx Of foreigners into our country We
are unable to see how the influx of foreigners would
be materially affected by lengthening the term OF
residence prior to naturalization. The danger 70
our institutions from the political influence OF for
eIgn citizens is neither increased diminished by
through the balotbox that foreigners can exert
political influence; and yet the elective franchise
is bestowed upon them by several Of the States
without regard 10 the fact whether they have been
naturalired or not Congress is authorized to enact
uniform laws for comforting upon foreigners the
rights of citizenship, and the right to vote is the
m )st prominent franchise thus bestowed. But the
right to vote is granted by the States regardless Of
tie question Of naturalization IL could be shown
that the large emigration attracted to our coun
try by the desire TO exercise the elective franchise
L. Is evident that no diminution would take place
because the term for naturalization was extended.
"If our republican institutions were really in
danger from the political influence OF Foreigners, II
II apparent that Mr.. Adamss remedy would be
Inefficient, unless he could show that the several
States win abandon the right which they now
claim, to confer tho elective franchise upon nstu-
rallied foreigners We should doubt even then
whether the tide Of emigration would be msteri-
ally diminished We incline 10 the opinion that
the great mass Of immigrants come 70 our country
more for bread than to obtain the elective fran
chise. As high boon as American citizenship Is
admitted to be, we cannot but regard the question
Of naturalization as deprived Of very much OF It's
importance by the powers and rights conferred
upon unnaturalized foreigners by tho States. II
now confers but few franchises and rights which
are not conferred by the States upon those who
arc not citizens Beyond the naked title TO citi-
renship. naturalization is but little more than
formal proceeding"
But we copy the above for another purpose
than to show how tendcrly the Union treats
Senator Adams.
The Union presents as an obstacle to the
success of our party, by the proposed change
or repeal Of the laws Of naturalization, the fact
that several OF the States confer the right Of
suffrage upon unnaturalised foreigners, and
argues, thercfrom, that no change in the laws
Of naturalization would prevent tho States from
continuing this practice and therefore, the
right OF suffrage would continue to be con-
fcrrcd upon foreigners, regardless Of the ques-
ton Of naturalization.
We do not deny the feet that some of the
States admit foreigners to the polls before they
have been naturalizcd; but we do cmphsticsl-
" deny the right or authority Of any State to
confer such right upon them.
We have met this question before, and we
shall meet it now, as upon its right decision
depends, TO great extent, the practicability Of
eaecting our objects in the mode proposed.
We may however hero say, that whatever
may be the constitutional rights Of the several
States, on tho point we are discussing, ii is
manifest that general precedence Of our
American doctrines would correct the evils
complained of even though the States should
be permitted to exercise the right Of comforting
free suffrage upon aliens. The States them
selves could apply the corrective. But the
States have no such power as has been claim
ed and exercised by them on this subject
Instead Of repeating in different language
our views on this matter, we here copy an ak
tract from an address, prepared and Published
by the editor OF this paper, in ls41, as Presi-
dent Of the Missouri Native American Associ-
alton. We trust that the length Of the extract
win not prevent its pcrusal, as tho questions