The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-12-29
Is our Cons stitutioh n Native American
Document!

We are prompted.to the above inquiry bv
observing,,ime and again, in numerous prints
of the Gay, assertions 20 the effect that our
National organic Law recognizes no politi-
cal difference between men born on our own
soil, and those who seek here she ter from
foreign oppression; or. to use the language
of writer which just now occurs TO us, in
our Constitution "no political distinction is
made between classes OF persons of differing
nutonaliiies AMI belief" Now is il true,
that there is no difference, as is alleged
above! As our laws at present stand, is the
foreign born resident on an exactly equal
footing with the native! One would think
SO by reading the numerous demogogical ar
tices of certain auttering politicians who
bow with syCophant:c humility to the for
cign vote; but it is not SO! Our Cons;itu.
tion-that "glorious instrument" which is
even now the idol Of so many different fac.
tions-and to which the foreigner holds out
his hants imploringly, is rank native Amer.
lean nocument. Do not start up SO indig-
nanlly, dear reader, but continue on patient.
ly unto the end, and we will give our rea-
SONS for the faith that is in us.
That it is Native American Constitution
we have the best evidence in the word--no
less than the language of the document it.
self. Does this glorious constitution which
the anti-Amcricans pretend TO "delght to ho-
nor" allow foreigners the right of suffrage
without any probation! So far from it, it
says that Congress "shaN establish uniform,
rule Of naiurn is, shall require
of all Foreigners who express desire to be-
come citizens OF this country that they shall
reside here certain number Of years before
they can enjoy tEat right. This, then, is
prescriptions 1t is useless TO deny tit Is
prescription.
But this is not the most proscriptvc fea-
turc Of the Constitution. Suppose we ure
desrous Of elevat;ng foreigner to our Ma
tional Councils (or there nre many who
are ab uudunlly qualified for that posD-can
we proceed Immediately y to cast our ballots
for and elcc: n foreigner to that station! Far
from it, Nor IS it even sufficient that he
shall have resided in the country the proper
lsngth of time, and taken upon himself tho
oath Of alegianue-buL he must have baen
"seren gears a citizen Of The United States"
(The Constitution also requires that before
becoming u u. s. Senator, the individual
must have been n,ne years citizen.)
But still lurther-lorcgners like natives,
are am bilious, and one would think, in this
land OF bousted equality, that 4 foreigner
might Inspire to Gill the highest office in the
gIt Of the people-that Of President. Let
us see how that is; In Article I'd of the Con-
stitulion we find the following language:-
"No person except natural born citizen,
"or citizen OF the United States, at the
slime Of the adoption of this Constitution,
"shall be eligible to the Office Of president"
Is not that prescription! II not, pray tell US
what it s.
Now we do not wish to be understood as
saying that those patriot statesmen who fra
med the Constitution were aciuated by any
narrow minded partizan feelings towards for
'igners-so fur from it, they, having before
heir eyes 50 very recent examples Of lheir
devotion to the cause of Freedom, felt that
hey must have somL regulations by which to
allow them. to become citizens. So they made
he time optional with Congress, though to
enact some law was obligatory. Different
Congress ave required different times of pro-
from five to fourteen years.
Il is said that new party has arisen in this
country which, il it ever gains the power
will require twenty-one years pro3ation.-
Thus it is men i'll have different opinions
upon this, as well as upon every other topic
and while reason is left free to combat them,
these differences are harmless, aud legili.
mate.
The American Relormists say tina, no for
elgncr sha Il hold Office; the Constitution SAYS
that no foreigner shall hold the Office OF
President. Precisely the same spirit of pro-
serphon-difiering only in the extent. Why
then do the anti Americans at the same time
and almost in the same breath, laud to the
skies our Constitution, and bitterly denounce
the new party as n clan OF fanatical proscrip-
,ion's's! We are merely inqu!riug these
things for Information, knowing that con-
sistency is precious jewel, but not knowing
whittier il has flown.
n.