True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-08
SPEECH OF
Hon. w. R. Smith, of Alabama.
The Naturalization Laws-The Roman Catho-
lie Church.

Inc NaLurallzatlon LaWs-Ine homhn VatnV-
lie Church.
Mr.. SMITH said-Mr Chairman: Pro
positions have already been made in this
Hall, and at the other end of the Capitol,
to repeal or modify the naturalization laws.
That question is assuming proportions Of
considerable magnitude. In fact, sir, it is
becoming the great question of the age.
The time has come when American legis-
lators will be forced by the voice of the
people, to take stand upon this subject;
and before this question, which in itself
cmbodies the grand idea of American ma
tionality, all mere party organizations will
have to give way and retire.
Intimately connected with the advent OF
this question is the rise and progress OF
new order of men, whose name and deslg-
nation, up to this period, is as yet unknown,
but whose existence, however shadowy and
mysterious, is fixed fact; and whose pow
er in this country, for good or evil, has
made itself felt from one end of the Union
to the other.
Against this party the vituperations of
the press have been leveled. Many of our
honorable friends here have entered into
the discussion of the subjects arising upon
it with intense excitement. They behold
in this new order nothing that is good, but
some shadowy giant-some fabulous Her
cules-some raw head and bloody bones
some mysterious dcstroyer-somc lion, en-
dowed with voracious appetite, going about
seeking whom it may dcvour. For my
part, have not been able to discover any
of these dangers, I feel none of these ap-
prehehensions; and it is my purpose, on
this occasion, to inquire into the existence
of these dangers and apprchensions.
Sir, who compose this new party? Sc
, far as the public know, and so far as we all
, know, and so far as it is admitted, the par
tv consists of Native Americans, not abo
$ riginaIs, not exactly cannibals, but free
born American citizens. And how can al
? American behold in an organization of hi
, own countrymen such extravagant terrors
: Who will say that an association of Native
: Americans is less worthy of confidence
: than an association of mixed Americans
D and foreigners.
I assume that the admitted elements o
this organization being native American
r absolutely exclude the idea that, as party
It they can have anything at heart but tn
r glory, honor and welfare of the country
e And what do they propose to do? Wit
it all their dangerous appearance, their mys
n tcrious organization; with all their tes
: oaths of secresy, as alleged, what do the
o propose to do? They have but one simpl
$, proposition to submit to the country, tn
If publication of the ballot-box. That idc
embodies the whole doctrine of the organ
c ization of this party. In order to brin
Ic about that result, what do they propose t
4. do? They propose to exclude unnatura
st lied foreigners from the ballot-box, and t
lie check immigration, by wholesome laws ft
c. that purpose. That is the utmost exter
j. to which they propose to go.
os Intimately connected, however, wit
a this question, is one of a very delicat
ID character-the question of Catholicism
this country. I have no doubt that sue
)" policy is part of their faith, not on
it. because of their Catholic faith, but becau
- the Roman Catholic Church in this cou
e. try is so intimately connected with fOreie
- influence in all its branches, that it is il
IN possible to separate the two-and th'
l have to take the whole to exclude Il
a whole. ,....
We I do not pretend that I have, upon til
is, occasion, any well arranged plan in refe
encc to the repeal or modification of t
naturalization laws. I have, however, sol
distinct propositions to make, which q
radical in their character. I propose
al strike at the root of the evil. / do r
nd bring forward my proposition in the fol
Ike of bill, because nobody can suppose Il
of this Congress will favor this refornatic
,ed 1t cannot be expected that an administ
me- ton which is so distinctly committed
ion favor of foreigners and foreign influence
this should take the back track. dol
ac- suppose that during the present session
ing Congress any bill of the kind will rcce
op- any serious attention. | will lay bcf
hat the committee, however, the propositi
the which must, in the main, meet the des
the of the Native American party; but do
the wish to commit any person but myself
ich these propositions.
hat In the first place, it is well known t
life we now have no law by which foreig
in can be excluded. If there is any law
lore quiring a foreigner to bring a passport