New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-16
COMMODORE STOCKTON AND THk
KNOW-NOTHINGS
- M.Lrns Rsgsisen E.q Wamiag,ea. DID

.,n-- ssL1ns Robbfr>n Egg Wa~ia0tca. Dei
DEAR slR. have received your letter of Nov. n,
and tb.rk you for the sentiments Of friendly COM
me ndaon which II expresses.
Though withdrawn from public life, nevertheless
sm not insensibe 10 emotions of qualification
when fnd my principles or my past conduct the sub
unfeigned reluctance that comply with the duty Of
answering your Letter leet should be construed into
desire on my part to resppear on the political arena.
| have such desire. The turbulence OF political
strife has charms for me my tastes, iDclinstions
and hsppiness lead 20 prefer the tranquility Of
private lie.
But o. | approved Of the principles Of the Ameri.
can party When 10 It's infancy, am unwilling thN Il
ihoUld be believed now when it exists in tho yigor OF
manhood, thst | have become derelct 10 those prn-
Cipes OF that can refuse, any proper occs.ion,
10 ayow myself an American DcmDcrat or shrink
from the fraternsl recognition " those who spouse
my prr cipes no matter under what designation they
NAV have formerly ectsd. No, Sir the history Of
our country since first approved your principles,
has only Strengthened and confirmed the opinions
which entertained at the period TO which you refer
To your fri intenogstory therefore, AN yer and
say. srn in favor Of confning al executive agd adj
minstrative functions Of office 70 American born.
In ~ lation 20 your second interrozstory answer
tbai am ia favor Of an extension Of the period Of
residence previous 10 naturalization, 10 at least TWEEN
ty.One Ears or total repeal OF the naturalization
laws as, in The wisdom Of the people may soem fit"
Denagogues should 10 longer be permitted TO
ufaeture bodes Of !reshly mporte aliens into voteu,
The corrupt rvs'ship Of parties for the purchase Of
foreign born voters NUT II will cesse,
however until the sVarms OF emlgrants who monthly
land on our shores shall tn be offered in the
political market, to the highest bidder
In avowing the principle that Americans alone
sbCuid rule America do not understand you 70
approve the dsfranchsemsnt OF the foreign born VINO
already rOssess the right Of voting. The larger pro-
portion Of our adopted fellow ciuzens-at least the
most intelligent amor them-l believe are per'e W
ssiisfed hat the time has arrived when our ns'urf4
Zaiion lave should be altered or repealed lhft por-
tioa Of them which does rot constitute me staple OF
political traffic folly appreciate the dignity and high
prsrocstye q soyf eighty which they ENJOY a. Amer
lean citizens. True 20 the country Oh ,her ah9pton.
they are unwilling leopard It's insutu'lons 10 dement,
future EN- grants even from the lana VI tner own na
tiyity.
To your third >interrogatory, | answer; Beng
Christian pe0ple IL teems to me that 10 preserve our
postsrity 10 the faith OF their fathers, We can do 10
les than T. ssetre 10 our children always perfect free
don Of soeess 70 the Hoy Scriptures, wlthoa. nots
% or con neLt
While frankly expressing this opinion must say,
also that agree with you, that any connection be-
tween sect 4rianism and politics. or between Church
ard State, whether Protestant or Papist would be
dangerous 10 liberty and hostile to the spirit and go
Mus Of the American Constitution.
You sllude 70 my presentation OF petitions while
in the Senate Of tie United States In favor Of the
exclusion Of ioreign psupers and convicts. On that
subject Will only cay that had deemed the period
propitious, such was my sense Of the dangers and
evils Of the importation Of that csss Of foreigners
should have felt it my duty TO propose a cspitatoa
import tar upon such emigrants, which would have
efectually excluded them from ports. That such
measure Of precaution has not more earnestly been
urged upon Congress by the municipal authorities Of
great cities which the chief sufferers from the
influx Of foreign paupers and felons shows to What
extent subseryence to the foreign element has inau
snced the action Of those intrusted with the public
safety Faithfully your OBJ. servt and friend,
PvsasS. N. J., Dec siSA STOCKTON.