Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-12
Of Foreigners in tie United States.

Foreign paupers for 1850, l3,437.
Thus you will see that il we should preserve
this Union this entire continent will be necessary
for the wants Of our descendants one hundred
years hence, without the addition of foreigners.
then ask every American, whether native-born
or adopted, if it Is not duty to preserve this
fair heritage for the use Of our children, and not
lavish it on those who had no share in either
achieving our independence, maintaining our free
institutions or developing the resources of this
happy and prosperous country. True sir, we
have vast unoccupied territory, yet 1t Is being
settled and populated with rapidty which seems
almost fabulous. By ordinary increase of popu-
ation during the next fifty years, we shall have
no more room than win be necessary for the use
Of the then inhabitants. But, sir, when we look
to the fact that from 1900 TO 1870 the arrivals of
foreigners in the United States were seventy
thousand, and now they are over four hundred
thousand per annum-estimate the constantly
augmentng number Of immigrants with their
probable increase for a few years. and 1t becomes
alarming. If these were the only consequences
involved, should have felt it my duty to offer
the bill under consideration; but sir, the politi-
cal destiny of this country is one Of higher mo-
ment; the true danger lies in the improper
use of the balot-box. / ask Senators to cast
their eyes over this country and see the number Of
foreigners, (who often march In procession to the
polls controlled frequently by single mind, Sc
lecting for us our most important officers. Sec
the riots and mobs in cities-look at their pro
test on your Journals against the passage Of laws
to secure to our citizens the right of selfgovern-
ment then see them hang in efiigy an American
Senator, for having the honesty and Independence
to mete out equal justice to all sections Of this Con-
federacy; see the organization Of party known
as the German Progressive Republican Party,
whose avowed object among other things, is to
abolish the Sabbath, that holy day Of rest, day
cherished, loved and revered, not only by all true
Christians but by the toiling, laboring millions
throughout Christendom-and then tell me il you
do not see danger. If this be the case, as is appar-
ent is II not the duty Of every patriot and statesman
to lay aside personal and party considerations and
apply the remedy, there be one egitimatey within
our reachf When the present naturalization law
was passed. the annual immigration, as l have
shown, was about seven thousand They were bold
and enterprising men, dispersed throughout the
country, and soon became familiar with our govern
ment and laws as they still do In the South. Thisis
not the case now in the North and Northwest. They
come 10 the Northern States at the rate OF nearly
half million year /; they come in communities
of hundreds and thousands. Many remain in your
cities and become servants and walters others,
moro enterprising 90 to the Western States and
settle up neghborhoods and counties--never learn
our language, but retain their mother tongue they
have but little intercourse with Americans, and
are, consequently, many years IN learning the ge-
MUS and structure of our government. Many,
admit, come here with intelligence and patriotism
sufficient TO have the elective franchise reposed in
them in even less time than is now required. SO
with regard to minors. Many young men from
eighteen to twenty-one would vote intelligently
and judiciousy as others at ffty, but VIC cannot
discriminate. We must legisate for classes. II
adopt this rule we shall have but little Difficult
ty in arriving at the conclusion, that the terms OF
this bill are sufficiently liberal for the safety
Of the country. Some will be excluded too
long--many admitted too soon. Men born, rear
cd, and educated under the monarchical govern
mcnt, taught to believe in the divine right Of
sovereirns TO give law and TO rule cannot unlearn
IN 4 dsy the education of their lives, apd II this
were possible, an alien has much to learn Of the
character Of this government before he should
approach the ballot-box. Our government Is a
compiler one Of State and Federal power--all
power emsnatlng from the peoples system Of
government unlike that of others, complicated In
theory, yet in practice simple and harmonious,
securing TO the high and the humble, the rich and
the poor perfect equality Of rights, dispensing
it's blessings without favor or partially from the
Atlantic TO the Paci6o--bIessings enjoyed by no
other people known in the history Of the world,