Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-16
Correspondence.
KEY wrsr, June 10, 1855.


ject often advance the argument that though it be
favor TO bestow political privileges on foreigners,
yet Il Is unjust, tngeaeroGs, and contrary to the
spirit Of free iastituiions, to refuse them. In
order TO prove that 1t 10 unjust, they evidence the
Revolution Of l776, and contend that as the prin'
cpal reason Of the separation of the Colonies from
the mother country was the imposition Of taxes
without their consent, that therefore this govern
ment should be the last TO carry out that act Of
oppression which caused II to spring into exist
ence. But any one who reads the Declaration Of
Independence will see that this was but single
and minor charge Of the twenty seven which were
brought against George the Third.
Yet, were this the sole cause of the Revolution,
It certainly has no bearing on the present question
for as long as government extends protection to
its members, SO long are the members bound to
aid in supporting the government. But there is
no parallel between the cases, except to micro
scopic eve. The colonists said, since protection
had ceased they were not bound to aid in the sup
port of government that was crushing them to
the earth. They were then taxed to support a
government that did not afford them protection ;
foreigners are now taxed to support one to which
they have cone to better their condition, and
which extends to them full protection both of per-
son and property. Where, then, Is the analogy
between those times and the PRESENT. But taxa
ton relates to property and representation TO per-
sons, and how can the foreigner claim to hold Of
fee under our government because he is taxed for
the privilege Of holding property? England,
France, and other nations of Europe, as well as
this country, declare that the right TO hold prop
erty is privilege granted to foreigners. Again,
the constitutions and laws of the several States
which compose this Union were framed by the
wisest of the country and are based on equality
and Justice.
In most OF these States these restrictions on
the privilege of holding Office and il the govern
ment is at liberty to deprive native on account OF
some trihing qualification of that which Is his
birthright fortori it is at liberty to refuse this
right to foreigners to whom it is under no obliga-
tons. The next averment is, that it would be I'M
generous to deny to foreigners the right Of hold.
ing Office, for that in war the government has re.
ceived material assistance from, and in fact owes
its very existence to them. This plea on the score
Of generosity, is scarcely worth serious reply.
Has not every foreigner who extended to the
country a helping hand, been honored and exalted
to all the privileges the native citizen irrespective
of the motive which brings him here, whether
friendship for US or his own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
favor, it is true, was once received from the
hands of foreigners, and political privilege was
granted them in return but is there any reason in
the demand that the same privileges should be
extended to the countrymen of these foreigners
to the latest generation The last objection al
luded to- the allegation that the refusal of hold
ing Office to foreigners is contrary to the spirit OF
free institutions. The position is assumed that
the basis of this government is equality Of rights,
and the conclusion is drawn that the restriction
proposed would create body possessed of fewer
privileges than the rest Of the nation, and in this
manner run counter to the spirit of free institu-
tons.
The hypothesis that the act under discussion
would create any distinctions of persons in the
Government which does not already exist is false.
A line of demarkation was drawn between the for
eigner and native by the founders Of the American
institutions That distinction remains written on
the face Of the Constitution and we would only
mark out more definitely that line Of distinction
which is already drawn. In the opinion of histo-
rians, the onward course of glory in the Roman
republic was unretarded until the day she passed
that naturalization act which admitted the foreigner
to equality Of political rights; from that period
they date her fall.
From what has been said the conclusion is
educed, that refusing the right of holding Office to
foreigners does not conflict with right, with JUS
tce with gratitude, or with the spirit Of free inst
tutions. word or two, Of local matters.
For day or two past, notices have been seen
posted at various places, calling for general gath
ering of the Democratic and anti.Amercan party
ut one Of our large warehouses, II was 10 have
come of last night This morning, l was inform
ed Il was complete failure, as it is stated there
were not more than fifteen or twenty persons pre-
sent all told OF these, the boys IL is said had the
majority, the residue being composed exclusively
Of foreigners not native American voter was to
be seen among them. Such meagre demenstra-
ton was, certainly not offering very high com
pliment TO the Hon. Mr.. Mallory, the oracle and
mouthpiece Of the party in this city. But, never
theless, he was there, aud made a speech, but It
was no go. II was to have been a great glorifca-
ton meeting to congratulate the faithful upon the
result Of the Virginia election. They would do
well, think, to husband their exultaton, lest they
should not have enough with which to glory in
November, 1856. A NATIVE AMERICAN.