Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-12-29
dommnnifations.
For the Journal.

your last issue, quoted from the Buffalo
Commercial AdVerhser, relative TO the
Naturalization Laws, which embodies
great deal Of truth, and recommends an
amendment in this law, which cannot but
be acceptable 10 all trae Americans.
Such measure as this have long de-
sired TO see fully consummated, and am
pleased to learn that some Of our represen-
tatives in Congress have had sufficient cour
age TO bring this matter before that body,
regardless of party or foreign influences,
and will rejoice at the result, if it meets
with friends enough in both Houses, 10 in
sure its adoption. Experience has already
established the fact, that the foreign emf
grafton, for the past few years, has been too
enormous for the means we possess of
Americanizing and absorbing them up; and
in the language Of a distinguished man of
our own State-"if there be not some step
taken to keep back the immense tide Of
emigration that is crowding to our shores,
there will soon be no West left for our chill
dren-all that vast domain will be occupied
by those Of foreign birth" In this think
he is not mistaken; but l will not stop,
however, to discuss this point, as it is irrel-
evant 10 my text
AS the editor of the advertiser says, the
Constitution has vested in Congress the ex-
elusive power ITO establish an uniform rule
of Naturalization" WE'LL this they have
done, by passing law which clothes the
several supreme, Superior, or Circuit
Courts of any one of the States, or Of the
territorial districts Of the United States, or
Circuit or District Court of the United
States" with full authority and power to
nauralize all foreigners who are fortunate
enough to procure evidence that they have
been residents of our nation, during the pc
riod of five years In doing this, let US see
if Congress has not obeyed the letter only,
and transgressed the bounds prescribed by
the spirit OF the Constitution. The Con-
sttution empowers Congress to establish
Courts of different grades, 20 redress the
several crimes and misdemeanors which
may be perpetrated against the General
Government, and to adjust all matters and
difficulties etfecting the whole Common
wealth. This, Congress has also done, Civ
ing them original jurisdiction only in cases
as above referred to; and in this particular
they have conformed to both the letter and
spirit Of the Constitution.
But is not the naturalization of foreigners
a matter that affects the whole nation p
Most assuredly it is. When an alien takes
the obligation, in which he renounces all al
legiance to any foreign power, he does Sc
in order to become, and claim the protec
ton due an American citizen, and not tina
of any particular State or Territory. Ant
why, then should not United States Court
and none other, since it seems to be its lie
gtimate and exclusive province. take cog
; nzanee of this matter, and enforce the nat
ura!zation law, adopted by our Fedora
Legislature? This seems to me TO be tht
only proper way in which this particula
business can be conducted, and also wha
E was intended By the trainers Of the Consti
tuition, when they said that Congress shal
have the power 90 establish an uniform
rule of Naturalization The rule is, tina
r Statute must be construed according
e the meaning or intention of the Legislators
and not according to the literal import c
e the words used, as they are only symbol
of our ideas, and possessing no inhcreu
signGcaiion, must necessarily be imperfect
If and as the Constitution is the organic La
Of our confederacy, its construction must b
;. upon the same principle.
o The manner in which our Courts procee
/ in naturalization, and the forms used, ne!
% demand our attention. Congress, not b.
ing content with investing our State Cour
:. with full power in this respect, gives Il
!. Clerks of these eyera Courts, by act
: May 20, 1854, the same power to grant
: an alien, upon application therefor. what
% termed his FIRST papers," This. boweve
:. is an immaterial matter, for ii is clearly G
" ident. that there is little opportunity for
abuse Of this power But we will procet
:. 10 the finale of this farce of manufacture
American citizens out Of European mstel
al. We see, by referring TO the Naturaliz
~ tion Laws, that the third condition upt
~ ~ which aliens may be admitted TO becon
" citizens Of the United States, reads as +,
70 lows: "That the Court admitting such {
IN len shall be satisfied" DC. Now, how O
ten do we see it, that the Clerk of su
!, Court. without any authority whatevC
dp constitutes and appoints himself such Gov
If and proceeds to elicit the necessary ties
ay mony. administer the prescribed oath. al
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