Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-11-23

NatuTal1Z2fl9 81 Laws. se1s
The cd Native American party ofthe coun-
try profsssed TO be based upon belief that
the naturalization laws were not stringent
enough, that they did not guard the great
right OF American citizenship with the jeal-
Gus care which is essential to the perpetuity
Of our existence as a Republic. It was this
mistaken notion that induced thousands to at
tach themselves to that political organization,
vote for candidates holding these sentiments,
and thus prepare the public mind for the ad-
vent of Known Nothingism, with all its Anti
American and despotic features. The same
men who were foremost in organizing the Ma
tive american party, were the pioneers Of the
K now-N Nothing intolerance They had reap
cd the fruits of Native american Intolerance.
That assumed position had been proved with
out foundation in either truth or justice, and
the rejecting portion of the community re-
VOTED and refused to follow any longer the
lead Of men who sought their own aggran-
dizement even at the expense of their coun-
try's peace and safety.
The temporary success of the Know-Noth-
ign order has again revived the discussion
with referanee to the inadequacy ofour pres
ent naturalization laws, and the necessity of
their alteration. An examination Of those
laws, however, we think, viii convince the
most skeptieaI Know-Nothing in the land
who has brains enough to understand the
force OF language, legally applied, that they
are sufficiently stringent TO protect the coun-
try from any undue foreign influence, were
even that attemp:ed If there are others who
think differently, they must be imbued wit a
feeling Of hostility towards those born in
other lands, which We do not desire to cherish.
J, -
American citizenship? According to the
provisions of these laws, a foreigner who has
resided FIVE years in tie United States, and
one IN State, may presents himself before
the United States Circuit, the United States
District, the Supreme. or the County Court,
and apply for naturalization. He must, in
the first place, bring two 'scitizens" of the
United States to swear that he has lived FIVE
years in the country, and one in the State,
and that lie Is person ''of good moral char
acter, attached to the principles Of the consti-
tuition Of the United States, and vel disposed
to the good order and happiness of the same"
After which he must swear TO the same facts
substantially himself And if these oaths are
falsely made, the naturalization is void, and
the parties subject to imprisonment for PERU
~.
In the next place, he must prove that it
has been for two years past his deliberate in
tention to make application to become citi-
zen Of the United States. The only proof
that VIII be excepted of this, if he was of age
when he came to the country, is written de-
claration Of such intention made two years
previous, before court, signed by its clerk,
and sealed with It's seal.
The next thing required of him is to take
4 solemn oath ''to bear true faith and allegi-
auce to the United States, and to renounce
all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign
prince, potentate, state or sovereignty what
ever, and especially to such potentate as he
has previously been subject Of" Cnention-
ing by name the Queen Of England, the EN-
peror Of tkustria, the Pope, the Gar, or who
ever the sovereign may be. under whose an
thority be formerly liyed) Subsequent acts,
contrary to this cath. are punishable by fine,
imprisonment and death
Finally, he must renounce his order or IA
tie. Of rank or nobility, if he has any such.
ana resign his commission, L be hold one un-
der any foreign power.
He, his wife and children. then BECOME en-
titled to the rights Of American citizens, so
far as holding property and voting Is concern
ed But he cannot hold certain o4tice with
out a still further tern. Of probation. Ho
cannot be q representative until after Sven
years longer, nor Q senator until nine And
none but a native born citizen can be Presi-
ident or Vice-President of the United
States.