, 1855-09-14

citizenship and inhabitancy' The right
OF determining the rule of naturalization
will then leave discretion to the legisla
ture on this subject, which will answer eve
ry purpose. Addison Papers, rol. 8, PIP
l290-l3O0.
We next give the speech of Mr.. Wilson
of Pennsylvania, on the same subject
Mr.. Wilson said he rose with feelings
which were, perhaps, pecular-mcntion,
ing tle circumstances Of his not being a
native, and the possibility, if the ideas Of
some gentlemen should be pursued, of his
being incapacitated from holding a place
under the very constitution which he had
shared in the trust of making. lie re-
marked the illiberal complexion which tlTc
motion would give TO the system, and the
effect which Il good system would have in
inviting mertOrious Foreigners among us,
and the Encouragement aud modification
they must feel from the degrading discrnl,
nation now proposed. He had himself ex-
pericnccd this modification. On his re-
moyal into Maryland, he found himself,
from defect of residence, under certain le7
gal incapacilicS, which never ceased to pro-
ducc chagrin, though he aSSuredly did not
desire, aud would not have accepted, the
Offices 10 which they related. TO be ap-
pointed TO place may he matter Of indif-
ference. 10 be incapable Of being appoint
cd is circumstance grating and mortify-
ins'--Hadison Papers, rd 3, 2. l276-7.
On subsequent OCCASION the same sub
ject being under consideration, Mr. Wilson
spoke as follows .... be.
Mr.. Wilson cited Pennsylvania as
proof of the advantage Of encouraging emf
gratons It was, perhaps. the youngest
settlement Except Georgia) on the Allan
tic yet it was at least among the foremost
in population and prosperity lie remark
cd that almost all the general officers of
the Pennsylvania line Of the late army were
foreigners; and no complaint had ever been
made against their fidelity or merit. Three
Of her Deputies to the conyention (Mr. r.
Morris, Mr. Fitzsimons, and HIMSELF
were also not natives lie had no objec-
ton TO Col. Uamlton's motion, and would
withdraw the one made by himself"- Mad
ison Papers, rol. 8, p 1900.
But the constitution of tho United
States may be regarded us the aggregate
or compromise opinions Of all the old faith
crs of the republic. That constitution was
signed by Washington as president of the
convention and delegate from Virginia.
II makes foreigners Of snitable age eligible
to seat in the House Of Representatives
after citizenship of srveH gears and the
same class Of persons, of suitable ages, are
eligible to seat in the Senate Of the
United States after a citizenship Of aias
gears. The naturalization law should GER
tainly correspond in spirit with these pro-
visions Of the constitution and to extend
the time Of residence before naturalization
to tIrenty-ONe gears, or 10 prohibit naturali-
zation altogether, as proposed by the
know-nothings, would certainly be at war
with the spirit Of the constitution, il not
violate of its veIy letter. The law of nat
uralization should be consistent with the
requirements Of the constitution TO which
we have referred, and should run parallel
with those requirements. To require a
forcign-born person to reside itreniy-onc
gears in the country before voting, while
the constitution makes him eligible to q
seat in Congress after residence Of eren
gears, is an Inconsistency which no sensible
people will perpetrate. But know-nothing-
ism seems alike regardless Of sound policy,
abstract justice, and the constitution. 1t
is bigotry and fanaticism run mad and to
those who are engaged in this unholy cru
SADIE we may inquire, as the Latin poet did
of the distracted lover,
- "QuD to, dementia Ccphi" 1'.
What madness hathseized thee ?
Il