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

rent Of valuable friends; became deeply
grateful for hosptalities ever to be remember
ed and yet, under such circumstances, with
such feelings in my breast could not keep
my imagination from constantly wandering
back across the Atlantic. One day, homc-sick,
was strolling alone and at random in tho city
of Marscilcs, where had just arrived. I was
walking with my eyes bent to the ground,
and careless which way my steps would lead
me, when suddenly lifting up my head, found
myself in front Of the harbor At a short
distance, full in view, stood an American Fri
gate in Ill the Symmetrical beauty of her no
BE proportions, and with her proud flag which
had not seen for several years, streaming in
The wind. Rapidly drawing near the quay was
one Of her boats impeled by tie vigorous
arms of crew who seemed to have been pick
cd as the ittest specimen of those stout hearts
who are the pride Of our Navy. Al the helm
stood erect young officer who looked worthy
of beiNg the commander of such men. At that
sight, felt as if had received IN electric
shock-my whole body treulbled with nervous
cxcitcment--the blood rushed to my heart
my eyes became moist with tears, and gazed
en- entranccd. Al! had France loaded me
with all the honors and wealth which the am
hition Of man can crave; had hundred
times sworn allegiance to her, and renowned
the United States | felt at the moment speak
Of that should the safety of that figate, on
which my eyes We're rivetcd, have been threat
tenedb by Notifications which surrounded her,my
choice would have been made at once would
have said to France, "Toueh her not; lay not
thy fingers on a single orc Of her spars-or
take back the honors, the titles, the wealth
showcred upon me | return to that first ale
glance which was inscribed in my heart by
God. will plant my foot on the deck above
which waves that flag. which cannot live to
see pulled down, and my destines shall cling
to the lost plank of that ship as long as it
| floats upon the water 1t was lesson taught
me and ever to be remembered. Thus, no
doubt, feels every naturalized citizen for the
country of his birth. Then, if it is impossi-
bic fol- AN alien to have for the land of his adj
doption the same depth of attachment enter
tanned by native, why should they be put on
a footing Of equality in relation to the posses
sion of Office and the ADMINISTRATION Of public
affairs?
| But suppose for the sake of argument, that
there arc some naturaized citizens, who. from
the circumstance of their having enligrated
when very young, or from some other cause,
having become as good Americans as we Nrc
Then it is asked, whether their exclusion from
the enjoyment of the most important privilege
we possess is not an Injustice? answer -
How can we make exceptions to general rule?
How can we discriminate between our natur-
allied citizens? How can we read their hearts?
We find that the system of naturalization
is productive ofcvils which we wish to remedy.
If we preclude from official prefarnent for
eigner who may be worthy Of it, what does il
amount to? An individual wrong at most
But if we abstain from it, we open the doo,
to general, to national evil--to the intro
duction of foreign Influence And are we to
hesitate between an injuryto a solitary indiyid-
nal and an injury to the whole country .
Hence the necessity of the new course which
we have deemed necessary to pursue, and !
must, in justice to the best and most distin-
guished of our naturaized citizens, say: that
most of them, being alarmed at the prospect
anarchy which we arc threatened by orr being
made the receptacle of the dregs of Europe
sacrifice a vain and irrational sensitiveness te
the welfare of their American children, whose
inheritance would be endangered by the social
ism of immigration, and that approving the
stern resolve we have taken, they are perfectly
willing that America be hencelorth on the
same footing with every Other country--tha,
is to say--that il be governed by It's native cit
izens.
10 those who object to the establishment o
what they call humiliatipg distinction be.
tween the native and the naturalized citizens
it my be replied that the Constitution Of tn,
United States itself gives the example Of a dis
tnction between these two closes of our pop
ulation. No natuializod citizen can be mad
President or Vice President of the Unite,
! States. Why? Because, no doubt, it wa
thought unsafe to instruct with 50 much power
ono not born on the same principle that W,
| ertead the distinction sanctioned by the Con
stitution of tie United States Considerin,
the peculiar circumstances in which we ar
placed considering that we are determined +
modify our naturalization laws, we have laid ,
down as n general rule of policy to eNeud
naturai2ed citizens from these minor ounces L