Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-16
Commodore. stockton and the Know
NOthings. Y


Commodore stockton and the Know
NOthings. 4
The following letter is addressed by Commodore
Stockton to Allen McLane Robbinett, Esq, of VIII
mington, Delaware:
PRINCETON, Dec. 6, 1854.
DEAR Sir: have received your letter Of No
vcmber %, and thank you for the sentiment Of
friendly commendation which it expresses.
Though Withdrawn from public life, nevertheless
am not insensible to emotions Of qualification
when find my principal or past conduct the SUBJ
ject Of just and generous appreciation. Yet it is
with unfeigned reluctance that comply with the
duty of answering your letter. lest should be con-
strued into desire on my part to rcappear on the
political arena have no such desire. The tur-
bulence Of political strife has charms for me- my
tastes inclnations and happiness lead me to prefer
the tranquility ofprivate life
But as | approved Of the principles Of the Anne
rcan party, when in its infancy, | am unwilling
that it should be believed now when it exists in the
vigor Of manhood, that have become derelict to
those principles, or that can refuse on any pro-
per occasion to avow myself to be an American
Democrat, or shrink from the fraternal recognition
of those who espouse my principles, no matter un-
der what designation they may have formerly act
ed. No sir, the history Of our country, since first
approved your principles, has only strengthened
and confirmed the opinions which | entertained at
the period to which you referred.
To your first interogatofy, therefore,, i answer
and say / am in favor Of combining all executive
and administrative functions Of Office to American
born. t5 ~
In relation TO your second interrogatory, an
swer that ! am in favor of I" an extension of the
period of residence, previous to naturalization, to
at least twenty-one years, total repeal Of the
naturalization laws as in the wisdom of the peo-
pie may seem fit" 9H q
Demagogues should no longer be permitted to
manufacture hordes Of freshly imported aliens into
voters to nulify the voice of Americans in the bal
lot box. The corrupt nvalship Of parties for the
purchase of foreign-born voters must cease. 1t
never win cease, however, until the swarms of en-
igrants who monthly land on shores shall cease
to be offered in the political market to the highest
bidder.
In avowing the principle that Americans alone
should rule America / do not understand you to
approve the Acknowledgement Of the foreign born
who already possess the right Of voting The lar
ger proportion of our adopted fellow citizena Ut
least the most intelligent among them, Ibelieve
perfectly satisfied that the time has arrived when
naturalization law should be altered or repealed
That portion Of them which does not constitute the
staple of political traffic fully appreciates the dig
nifty and high prerogative OF sovereignty which
thcy enjoy as American citizens. True to the
country Of their adoption, they are unwilling to
leopard It's institutions TO benefit future emigrants
even from the land of their own nativity.
To your third interrogtory / snswer--Being a
Christian people, II seems to me that to preserve
our posterty in the faith Of their fathers we can do
no less than TO to our children always per
feet freedom of access to the Holy Scriptures with
out !" note or comment
While frankly expressing this opinion, must
say, also that agree with you, that any conncxion
between scctariansm and politics, or between
Church and State, whether Protestant or Papist,
would be dangerous 70 liberty, and hostile to the
spirit and genius of the American constitution.
You allude to my presentation of petitions while
IN the Senate of the United States in favor Of the
exclusion Of foreign paupers and convicts. On that
subject viii only say that had deemed the
periodpropitous such was my sense Of the dangers
and evils Of the importations Of that class Of for
eigners, should have felt ii my duty to propose
capitation import tax upon such emigrants, which
would have effectually excluded them from our
ports. That such measure Of precsution has not
more earnestly been urged upon Congress by the
municipal authorities of our great cities which
are the chief sufferers from the influx Of foreign
psupers and felons, shows to what extent subservi
ence to the foreign element has influenced the &C
ton OF those intrusted with the public safety
Faithfully your ob't servant and friend
R.F. STOCKTON.