Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-01-26
MisteIIanp.
MOVEMENTS OF SAM
Disbanding Of Irish Military Com
panies, &C.,

The Legislature of Massachusetts,
has ordered the disbanding of the the
following military companies, COM
posed Of foreigners. viz: The Col
umbus artillery, the Reebling artillery,
Shields artillery, and Sarsfeld guards
Of Boston, Jackson Enniskillens of
Lowell, Union guards of Lawrence,
and Jackson guards of Worchester.
Mayor Wood, of New York. has
addressed the following letter to the
President of the United States
MAYoR's OFFICE, N. Y, Jan 2.
HIS Ercellency, Franklin Pierce,
President of the u. s.:
DEAR SIR There can be no doubt,
that for many years, this port has been
made a sort of penal colony for felons
and paupers, by the local authorities
of several Of the continental European
nations. The desperate character Of
portion of the people arriving here
from those countries, together with the
increase OF crime and misery among
that class of our population, with 9TH
er facts before us, prove, conclusively,
that such is the..case.
It's unnecessary to refer to the gross
wrong thus perpetrated upon this city.
Ii requires from me no allusion to the
Jeopardy Of our lives and property
from this cause. Men who, by a long
career Of crime and destitution have
learned to recognized no laws, either
civil or natural, can not fail TO pro
duce feeligs Of terror at their approach.
The inherent right ofevery commu-
uity to protect itself from dangers
arising from such emigration, can not
be questioned. New York has sub
mitted to it long enough. The dis
ease and pauperism arriving here, al.
most daily from abroad, is, of itself
sufficient evil but when TO il is ad-
ded crime, we must be permitted 10
demonstrate. We ask the interference
of the General Government ; as il is
its duty 70 protect us from foreign ag-
gression, with ball and cannon, so il
is its duty to protect as against an en-
envy more insidious and destructive,
though coming in another form.
| call your attention 10 this subject
hoping it will receive from you that
action which its very great Importance
to the whole country demands. | am
very truly yours, &.,
FERNANDO WOOD, Mayor.
In the Legislature Of New York,
last week, Mr. Petty offered a resolu-
ton to the effect, that the Judiciary
Committee inquire into the expediency
Of restricting or annuling the naturali-
cation powers of Courts.
Mr.. Petty, in presenting the resolu-
ton, spoke as follows:
In offering this resolution, Mr..
Speaker, am impelled by the fact
which cannot be controverted, that
too great facilities are afforded to sliops
to acquire the privileges Of citizcrs;
and also from the conviction, that the
United States Courts are the most
proper places to put into operation and
carry out the naturalization laws, Of
the United States. We are all well
aware that our State Courts have al
most altogetherL Lmonopolized the.bu-
sincss Of making our better citizens
for the sake Of the small fee obtained
therefor. And il is also well known
that this business has been conducted,
for the last twelve years, IL not more,
in the loosest manner possible. There
has been no ceremony, nothing TO inn
press our new-hedged citizen with the
great importance Of the act making
him free citizen of free country
And the great majority, in fact. do not
know, and some never learn, the res
possibilities Of the position they have
assumed. In my opinion. so cheap
have we allowed this great boon 10 be-
come, that our adopted citizen cares
nothing for il, except il be 10 afford
him the means TO render service 10
those Of his courtrymen who follow
him.
There is hardly member Of the
House who does nor think in his heart,
that il is time-full time-that some
guards should be thrown around our
rights Of citizenship TO restrain the
present wish Of foreigners TO become
American citizens. l have been re.
Gently pleased with decision in this
matter, made by Judge Dean. of the
Supreme Court and Court Of Appeals,
made in relation 10 the manner In
which foreigners obtain their natulali-
kation papers in the Courts Of this
Stats. from which II would appear that
the Clerks Of the Court, have almost
exclusively attended 10 naturalizlng
the hordes that have presented them
selves. when the law expressly says
that the applicant for citizenship shall
be examined by the Judge or In his
presence, which suppose means
wilhinhearing. Does any one believe
that this learned Judge would have
had his attention called for tho frat
time TO this matter. after presiding on
tho Bench for so many years, II u had
not been for the great Hood Of Amor
icanlsm that Is now rolling over our
countyl lie now secs the necessity
Of something being done by which our
adopted citizens viii value moro high
ly the great and noble gift, which The
people Of this country, In their goner-
Gus natures, have bestowed upon him.
Il Is therefore. Mr.. Speaker. that
have offered this resolution. and hope
that the Judiciary Committee viii re-
port at an early day upon the same.
EyItis stated that the Albany