Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-10

not be taken. The probabilities are, in our
Judgment, that the allies have been driven from
the Crimea. But we wait for details before ex-
pressing any decided opinion.
FIGHTING FOR A SHADOW.
We hear, every day, complaints against the
naturalization laws of the United States. Some
persons wish to have the term of residence be-
fore naturalization extended to twenty-one
years; and some persons wish to repeal the
naturalization laws entirely. Judging from
what we learn in conversation, and from what
we read in our exchanges, all those to whom
we have alluded, are wasting their energies in
hunting shadow.
five are rightfully informed, those who wish
to forbid naturalization without residence of
twenty-one years, and those who wish to pre-
vent naturalization entirely, are actuated by
the desire to operate ON the foreign vote. We
do not understand that they wish to pass re-
prospective law, or to take away from our
adopted citizens any of the rights and priv
leges which they have already acquired under
existing laws. We understand, on the con-
trary, that they desire prospective laws only
such laws, as looking only to the future, will
prevent rapid accessions to the number Of our
adopted citizens. We also understand that the
real cause of this desire is, not to effect the
right to hold property or the duty to serve the
country, but to check the influence Of the for
cign voters, and to curb the influence Of the
Catholic church.
We will only consider the matter with re-
gard to voting, for that is the true point, if, in
deed, there be any point at all.
1t is mistaken notion to suppose that the
naturalization laws Of the United States have
anything to do with the subject of suffrage.
We know that this announcement will surprise
many native-born Americans; but we repeat
it. by saying again, that the naturalization laws
Of the United States have nothing to do with
the right to vote in the States. Under the
Constitution, Congress is empowered to estab-
lish an uniform rule of naturalization; but q
compliance with the rule thus established, does
not confer the elective franchise in any Of the
States or Territories, because the right 10 Uote
is entirely distinct from the rights ohich nata-
radiation conters. In proof of this, it is only
necessary to look to the various territorial bills
which show that Congress can confer, and does
confer, the right to vote in the Territories with
out any reference whatever to the naturaliza-
ton laws which Congress itself has enacted.
AS to the States; they enjoy, and have al
ways exercised, and do now exercise, the
right to say who shall vote for their State off,
GERS. In that respect the Federal government
has no right to interfere with them, and it has
The States regard this prerogative so highly
and Of such vitalimportance, that they refuse TO
trust even their own legislatures with the power
to NEEDLE with 1t in any manner. They do not
permit their legislatures to say, who shall be
entitled to enjoy the elective franchise, or who
shall not enjoy the elective franchise, within
their borders. The people of each State, in
convention assembled determine, that matter
for themselves and make their will in that re-
gard part of the fundamental lao, which
law can be neither altered, changed, amended,
or modified, except by new expression Of the
viii of the sovereign people.
Congress has nothing to do eih the right to
pote any,ohere, except in the District of Colum-
bia, and in the Territories Of the United States.
II is, therefore, sheer, absolute, and unadulte-
rated folly, to suppose that a modification or
repeal Of the naturalization laws can have any
effect whatever on the immigrant votes. We
have heard some persons say that whilst Con-
eress could not by its naturalization laws effect
the right to vote for State officers, it could
effect the right to vote for members Of Con-
press, and electors for President and Vice
President. We have only to say 10 such per-
sons that they have never read the Constitu-
ton of the United States, or il they have read
it. they did not comprehend its provisions.
The second section Of the FIRST article Of the
Constitution says "The House of Representa-
tyes shall be composed of members chosen
every second year by the people Of the several
States. and the electors in each State shall haze
the qualifications requisite for the most hume.
yous branch of lie State Legislature" As 10
the President and Vice President, the first
article Of the second section Of the Constitu'
ton says: Each State shall appoint, IN such
manner as the Legislature thereof may direct
a number of electors, equal TO the whole mum
Der of Senators and Representatives to which
the State may be entitled in Congress"
II is clear, then, that the Constitution denies