Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-18
The Union vs.. Senator Adams.

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M The Union VS.. Senator Adams.
We presented, in our last daily issue, some
vicws and arguments showing that the claim
Of power by some of the States, in admitting
aliens to exercise the right Of suffrage, is alb
surd and preposterous, and directly in conflict
with tho constitutional provision comforting
upon Congress the exclusive right Of natural
izing foreigners
In the same article upon which we then
made our comments, the Washington Union
quotes from the first annual message of Presi-
dent Jefferson, an extract in which he recon-
mended revisal Of the laws on naturalization,
and upon which Recommendation Congress re-
duced the term of probation from fourteen
years to five, at which point it now stands.
The Union argues, in opposition to Senator
Adamss proposition, thatas Mr.. Jefferson made
the Recommendation above mentioned, there
is no good ground for disturbing the existing
law
We are not prepared to admit that the re-
oonamendation Of Mr.. Jefferson, under the pc
culiar circumstances in which he was then
placed, and after a lapse Of City years. when
experience has demonstrated the evils and
dangers resulting from the present law, should
prevail against considerations, founded in the
hope Of preserving our threatened liberties.
1t is well known that the elder Adams had
become obnoxious to the naturalized and un-
naturalized citizens, then in the United States,
and that the whole power and influence Of
these classes had been cast into the scale in
favor Of Mr.. Jefferson as candidate for the
Presidency, and the President elect could do
no less than manifest his gratitude for their
support, by making the recommendation re
fsrred to.
Mr. Jefferson necer was, at any time, in IA
vor Of encouraging immigration, but he yield
ed to the influences we have named, on the oc-
casion stated, as a matter of gratitude, on Of
temporary party policy. In his Notes upon
Virginia, Mr. Jefferson uses the following clear,
distinct, and emphatic language, to which we
especially invite the attention Of the Washing
ton Union, and its allies. He says:
siThe present desire of America is to produce
rapd population by as great importations of for
poicys The advantage proposed is the multipli-
cation of numbers. Now let us suppose, for er-
ample only, that in this State (vrginia) we could
double our numbers in one year by the importation
Of foreigners; and this Is greater accession than
the most sanguine advocate for emigration has a
right to expect. But are there no inconveniencies
70 b, thrown into the scale against the advantage
sxp ,cted from multiplication Of numbers by the
importation OF foreignerf II is for the happiness
of those united in society to harmonic much as
possible in matters which they must Of necessity
transact together. Civil government being the
cole object Of forming societies its administration
must DO conducted by common consent"
"Every species Of government has lis specific
principles Ours perhaps are more peculiar than
those OF any other in the universe. II IL compo-
sition of the freest principles Of the English
sttution, with others derived from natural reason.
To these nothing can be more opposed than the
maxims Of absolute monarches Yet from such
We are to expect the greatest number Of emgrants.
They viii bring with them the principles Of the
sovernment they have imbibed in their early youth
or, n able 10 throw them of, 1t viii be in exchange
for an unbounded lccntiousness, passing. as IL
usual, from one extreme to another. II ,corid BE-
miracle psre they to stop precisely at the point Of
temperate liberty These principles, with their
language, they will transmit 10 their children. In
proportion to their numbers they win hare with us
the legislation They win infse into ii their spirit
warp and bias its direction, and render II hetero-
reneous incoherent, distracted mass. may APP
peal to experience, during the present contest for
Notification Of these conjectures."
On another occasion, he uttered the following
declaration:
al hope that we may find some means in future
of shielding ourselves from foreign influence, poll
deal, commercial, or in whatever form II may be
attempted. can scarcely withhold myself from
Joining in the wish Of Sas Dean--that there were
an ocean Of FIRE between this aud the Old World
We profess to reverence the memory Of JEFF
ferson, and to have learned our first lessons in
Democracy from his writings, but we rely more,
far more upon his deliberately formed and de-
liberately expressed sentiments, in the above
extract, than upon . temporary policy which
he recommended, under the pressure Of politi-
cal party alliances.
Nor was Mr. Jefferson always right in bis
administrative measures and policy. Like other
men, he sometimes committed errors. The
Gun-boatsystem, adopted by Mr.. Jefferson, con-
temporaneous with his accommodation on the
question Of naturalization, was equally injudi-
cious His gin-boat system lasted but for
day,-his naturalization policy has lasted half
century, the former has been forgotten, and
the latter viii soon follow its companion in
birth. 10 the same grave.
Referring back 70 the extract we have copied
from Mr.. Jeficrson's Notes on Virginia, may we
not say that his language was truly prophetic
in describing the consequences Of immigration
They win bring with them (ssys Mr.. Jefferson)
the principles Of the government they have i'm
bibed In their early youth or, II able TO fhrow them
of ciH BE- IN erehorge for an wnbopnded iicen-
doSsrsss, passing as is usual, from one extreme to
another
Does not Mr. Jefferson describe in advance,
whstws Of the present day have all witnsssedP