Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-11-20

~ SHeo us Bfcat pichsutt, says the AnnhpOns
Gazette, to lay before our readers the following let
ter, written in July last, by Surgeon Ninian Pink
ney, o.. N. II is published, with his consent, at
the request ofmany citizens, and is accompanied by
an explanatory statement of the grounds upon
which the writer was led to the adoption Of the
views therein expressed. We conceive II 70 be
plain, straightforward manly, and exceedingly able
demonstration Of the truth Of certain political theo-
ries which are now agitating the public mind; and
we confidently predict that this letter will 90 very
far to convince all doubters that the principles Of
the American party are the only safeguards of our
liberties. We invite the careful attention of our
readers to this letter:
lst The re-enactment of the old naturalization
laws, by which fourteen years probation will be re-
qured OF foreigner before he can become citi-
zen Of the United States, and be entitled to vote
"2d. No foreigner, unless he shall have been a
citizen of the United States seven years (which is
the period required by the constitution before he
can be appointed representative in Congress) will
be placed in any Office under the General Govern
ment
Sd. Such foreigners as shall have filed their dec
laraon ofntenton to become citizens before the re-
enactment of the old naturalization laws as suggest
ed in the first article, shall enjoy the terms pre-
scribed by the present naturalization rule but no
naturalzed citizen, unless he shall have been a citi-
zen of the United States seven years, will be APP
pointed to any Office under the General Govern
mentn
"4th None but natural born citizens, or citizens
of the United States at the time of the adoption
of the Constitution of the United States, will be
appointed to any foreign post, either as ambassa-
dor, other public minister, or consul"
" 9th. That 1t Is the policy of the several States
to SO alter their constitutions as to require all for
eigners to have been citizens of the United States
seven years before they shall be eligible to seat
in the Legislatures of said States and that no for
egner shall be permitted to vote at the local elec
tions in said States, unless he shall be regularly
naturalized citizen of the United States; and that
no foreigner will be appointed to any office under
said State governments, unless he shall be eligible
to a seat as member of said State Legislatures.
That provision be engrafted upon the several
State constitutions, making any other than natu-
raj born citizen ineligible to the Office Of Cover
nor.n
In permitting the publication of the above,
yield to the wishes of others, and exercise right
common to all American citizens, of expressing
sentiments have long entertained of our true and
only safe policy as country. In crisis like the
present, the humblest citizen may be justified in
giving to the public, without fear or apology, the
results of his own deliberations; and nothing but
quaking cowardice could repress the honest con-
yictions entertained. / ask hearing of my coun-
trymen for the sake of the cause advocate.
A great political party is being rapidly formed,
which has made, and is still making, giant strides
against the most determined and inveterate oppo-
sition. The public are not distinctly informed
what the political creed Of this party is The
protection Of the rights of Americans against the
ruthless assaults of political demagogues who are
daily contriving to secure for themselves the for.
cign vote, is supposed to be one of its most
prominent features In this grand feature of their
system, there are many true American hearts
beating in liveliest sympathy; and If wisdom, a
becoming moderation and discretion, mark their
proceedings, ], for one, augur for them the most
gratifying and glorious success. 1t is time that
the platform Of the American party was laid
Secret organization is their privilege. But the
great principles for which they are contending
must be promulgated, to draw to them many
hearts that are whiting to bid them speed on
ward. Let them unfurl banner inscribed with
such true sentiments as have been so freely ac-
corded to them, and keep their own counsels,
and move on in the quiet majesty of the truth,
and the day is theirs. 1t becomes no one citi-
zen to propose for the adoption of his country
men platform and yet each one may do what
he can to give helping hand to the formation
of such one as would best secure the ends de-
signed.
Congress is empowered, by the constitution, "to
establish uniform rule of naturalization through
out the United States In the exercise Of this
authority, fourteen years probation was exacted
of every foreigner ms indispensable prerequisite
TO his becoming a citizen of the United States
This was the naturalization rule under the elder
Adams. Since then it has been so abridged rs TO
be reduced TO five years. and manifest disposition
Is still exhibited TO reduce IL lower In the organ
ization of the territorial government, by the Ne
braska bill, II was ordained that foreigner, who
shall have taken the oath of declaration to become
a citizen, shall be entitled TO vote. Every induce
ment Ia thus held out TO foreigners TO go forth and
people the new territories being placed as they
are, by this very regulation, upon an equal footing
with natural.bon and naturalized citizens of the
government This, humbly submit, is unconsti-
tutional and dangerous. Some of the States have,
| am aware, assumed the same power and permit
foreigners to vote at their local elections before
they are regularly naturaized citizen Of the United
States, and continue in undisturbed and unnter-
rupted enjoyment of the usurpaton. What il il
that makes a man citizen of the country? Birth
on the SOIL or naturalization by the mode prescribed
by the constituted authoritiesS The right to vote,
the highest exercise Of citizenship, Is made to fol-
low in the case of foreigners who have attained the
age OF twenty-one years, upon the fact Of naturai
zation. How, then, can II be madc 10 precede il
S'@FS
for the exercise of that right may be and ia defined
by municipal regulation for twenty -onc years But
none but citizens can be properly clothed with this
high prerogative.
Foreigners can only be made citizens by natural
ization hence il follows, as an inevitable consc-
quence, that they cannot be permitted to enjoy
the immunities Of citizenship until they are, by
naturalization, made citizens. The case Of Koszta
has established this beyond doubt. Not being
naturalized, he was not citizen; and not being
citizen, he could not claim protection of the coun-
try. The act Of Congress- which virtually sets
aside this fundamental principle by emitting for.
eigners before naturalization, to vote in the terri
tory, and thus exercise the most sacred immuni-
ties of citizenship, is therefore unconstitutional
Congress possesses no power but what is delegated
The ends Of good government is all that II can le.
Ultimately secure, or seek to secure for the terri.
tory. The clothing foreigners with the power Of
voting Is not essential 10 this end II could be
easily shown TO be suicidal Of it. But to return to
the States who have set the precedent. What,
would ask, are we TO understand by the term uni-
form rule Of naturalization if State can clothe
foreigner with citizenship before he be naturalized
and entitle him to vote? The United States Is
government Of States. Each State has certain
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