The American patriot. (Clinton, La.) 1854-1???, 1855-11-03
WHOLESALE NATURALIZATION.

We perceive by an article in the "Semi-
Weekly Creole" of Oct 24th, that this work
still goes on and that two Judges, are prcstra-
ting the dignity ofour Judiciary at the feet Of
political parIisanship. We rcgrct exceedingly
that one of these Judges is NJ NJ Reynolds
Not that we would credit the assertion that he
would do what is absolutely wrong, but that
considering the time and the circumstances,
he viii bring suspicion of wrong upon himself
that will, in after years, be exceedingly diff
cult TO shake off. What makes the connection
of his name, with this matter still more pain
full to us, is that we had declared publicly here
when this matter was creating some excite
mont that there was one man belonging to the
anti American party, that they could not pre-
vail upon to do wrong--that man, said we, is
hundreds literally dragged to these Courts,
that are unable to speak our language, and
consequently can never have read the Consti-
tuton in the language in which 1t is written,
and most probably, in no other, should quick
en- the scrutiny of our Judiciary into their
claims TO be advanced, to such high privileges.
They should be asked if they had ever read
the Constitution of the United States and OK
a,nincd ii with regard to its leading principles.
| Tire witnesses should likewise be required to
state now they know he, Qho applicant is at
tachcd to our Institutions md the principles Of
the Constitution.
A startling foot has just come, accidentally,
to our knowledge, connected with tie granting
of naturalization papers by our Courts Of jus
tee. These developments make ms hesitate,
however, TO endorse The definition given by
Blackstone, that n Court, is ~ place where
justice is jndically administered
| We have this moment seen the rattllnliza-
tim papers Of II Foreigner, who happened to he
too honest to vote upon them, issued in 1888
by the Sixth District Court, presided over by
Judge Cotton, and n Mr. Holland, acting MS
Deputy Clerk. We inquired of the gentleman
hoY long he had been in the United States
when these papers were issued. His reply
vas Thirteen days lie further stated that
these papers had been brought 10 him and tina,
he had never been himself in Court. Nov,
does il not follow that some instrument of par
ty really represented this man, in open Court
or that the Officers of Court one or both, man
ntactured the papers, or that they were them
selves grossly imposed upon. We are unwii.
ling 10 make 80 grave a charge against officers
who have been elevated to such places of re-
sponsihility, by the sullraees of the people
Docs not this instance demand an Investigation
into the fraud perjury and imposition, or
whatever terra it may be designated, hy the
Legislature or sorae competent tribunal Il is
clear to ollr minds Shat the lioiIcr Of these pa
is in no manner to be blamed, because when
properly informed, lac has refused to vote upon
Them They happened TO set hold Of TN hon
, est man, Another instance in this parish has
been brought TO our knowledge, the holder Of
the papers declaring that his papers were
brought to him and he had never taken the
oath.
With such STARTLING developments as these
staring the Commits. ioncrs 81 Election, in tht
face, taken in conneXion with other aspects o
this question, loohing strongly towards itau
dulcnt result, and determination to eilcc1
such result, are they Rot bound By every
5 consideration of duty and their high constitu
tional responsibilities, and the solemn sane
= lions of their oaths, to demaad that the natur
! alization papers Of every foreigner with th,
S exception o. those Old naiuralized citizens VIII,
: are known 10 possess them should be presan
ted 70 then for examination? We ulhts;ta
tingy affirm that such is Their duty, and thu
they will Gi:erace thtir high position, il s.aey
fnF moment, shrink from its finn and mai.l
dlsrtiaige.-l Baton Eouge Gazette, 9th Oet.