The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-07
The Effects Of the Proposed Naturalization
Low Upon our Military Organizations

The Effects Of the Proposed Naturalization
Low Upon our Military Organizations
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
After the very concise relstion Of the relative
birthnghts Of the members comprisiag the various
regiments of the First Division Of New York State
Militia, under command Of General C. w. SANFORD,
will you allow me to ask your correspondent, who
may or may not, be "nAtive and to the manor
born, whether, II "the very bo1e aud siuew OF tins
division, IL Is well known are adopted citizens
the spirit Of patriotism aud republican principles is
Tot with the truly American portion, who do not
deem themselves disgraced by presenting front
with the worthy adopted, after sufficient probs-
tion:-
If no inducement is presented to the man Of foreign
birth TO enrol himself soldier under the stars and
stripes he matter Of course-beng deprived OF the
rights OF citizenship until long probation has been
passed-becomes a dangerous me mber of our society
Having no interest in the institutions of the country
except such derived from the Of protection
ana not being permitted to derive the least be-
neht by bearing arms he cannot be relied upon in
OF invasion, and becomes, in such event. useessf
not traitorous-member of the community.
The writer truly eevates the position Of our mill.
tia by the above remarks. II has Always appeared
to me that the honorable soldier was above mercen.
airy advantages, or contemplate rewArds-but here
Is apparent that ne must receive bnbe. or else,
Judas like, turn traitor, and sell himself for pelf.
"lthank thee: thou hast taught me.r The sooner
any law can be enacted thai shall br ng out these
traitors, 30 much the sooner will oae good have
been accomplished. Is the writer ware that none
but citizens are liable to jury aud mill AIRY duty?
II not now organized, we have abundant native ma
teria for any emergencies that may arise from the
tsaiter0us members Of the community.n We have
yet whole division OF volunteers similar to the
New Workers that did their deeds in Mexioo. To
quiet his fears, perhaps 1t would be as well to re-
mark that In sll probability no Law will be passed,
in these days Of advancement, to affect previous
contracts-so he may b. secure in his citizenship.
Respectfully, yours A MEMBER OF THE FIRST.
New York, Dec. 20, 1854.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
A communication In this mornings HERALD
directs attention to the effect on the volunteer
military Of the proposed alteration in the nsturali-
zation laws and arrives at satisfactory conclusion
in the opinion Of t1e writer but it is argued on err
roneous predictions, be sause-
No naturalization Law hereafter passed can de.
prve any natur allied citizen of his vested rights
nor any foreign born person already in this country
Of his prospective rights, nor. indeed those who may
be on their way up to certain period after the pas
sage Of such law, or to the time it takes effect.
Bat II such were not the facts, and suon persons
conld be 20 Invested, the corresponding responE-
bilities and duties Of citizenship would not accrue
nor the exem ptioDs be required.
Besides II the statement be correct that 90 large
portion of the citizen s0ldery be of foreign birth
1t ia high time that at least the larger portion should
be Of native birth. Seven years active service
ia the army, and not during the time Of volunteer
psrsdes, should, as General Scott advocates, be
passed to the credit Of the foreigners probation for
citizenship. AMERIcUs.
December 20, 1854