Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-23
Tap y.rr1R.fIzArI0N LAWS,


Tne naturalization laws are constantly msreprs-
zsntsd to the uninformed by the know-nothing or
gans. In reply to many inquiries, we publish be-
low the substance of these laws as they now exist.
In Tennessee, by our State Constitution, none
but citizens can vote. A person born 10 foreign
country must therefore be nsturaized according to
the laws Of CONGRESS before he can vote.
The term, upon which any alien, being free
white person, can be naturalzed, are prescribedby
several acts Of Congress ard are, 10 substance as
follows:
He must declare, on OATH before state Court,
if it is court Of record or before Circuit or Dis
trict Court of the United States, two years at least
before his admission his intention to become cit
izen, and 10 renource his allegiance to his own
sovereign. This declaration need not be previously
made, however If the alien resided here before
the 18th of June 1872, and has since continued
to reside here; provided such residence be proved
to the satisfaction of the Court, and provided it be
proved by the oath or affirmation of two witnesses
citizens of the United States, that he has resided
for at least Eve years Immediately preceding such
application within the limits and under the juris-
diction of United States. And if the applicant
shall have been minor under twenty-one years
of age, and shall have resided in the United States
three years next preceding his arrival to majority
he may also be admitted a citizen without such
previous declaration, provided he has arrived at
the age of twenty-one years, and shall have resd-
ed five years within the United States, including
the three years of his minority, and shall make the
declaration aforesaid at the time of his admission,
and shall declare OATH and prove to the satisfac-
ton of the Court that for three years next prece1.
ing. it was bis bona tide intention to become citi-
zen and shall in all other respects comply with the
laws in regard to naturalization.
In al other cases the previou. declaration is re-
ouisite and at the time Of his admission the aliens
country must be at peace with the United s tates,
and he must before one of the courts aforesaid,
take an oath to support the Constitution of the
United States, and likewise an oath to renounce
and allure his native allegiance. He must, at the
time of his admission, safety the Court, by other
proof than his own oath, that he has resided five
wears at least, within the United States, and one
year. at least, within the State where the Court is
held. anu IL iIt nave dITlVcu hlteT tDe peace
of 1915 his residence must have been continued
for five years next preceding his admission, with
out being at any time during the FIVE years out Of
the territory of the United States. He must sat-
isfy the Court that during that time he has be-
haved as man of good moral character, attached
to the principles of the Constitution of the United
States, and well disposed to the good order and
happiness of the same. He must at the same re-
nounce any title or order of nobility, if any be
hath.
The Law further provides, that the children Of
the persons duly naturaized being minors at that
time, shall, if dwelling in the United States be
deemed citizens. 1t is further provided that if any
alien shall die after his declaration of intention,
and before actual admission as citizen, his widow
and children shall be deemed citizens, upon taking
the oath which the alien himself would have taken.
1t will be seen that if there is any lack of srin-
gency in our present system of Naturalization
Laws, it must be in their execution 1t is certain
Iy net 10 the laws themselves.