The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-04

cred in the House Of Representatives February G. 1865
Mr. SMITH said
Mr. CHAIRMAN; II had been my intention address
the House length upon any subject during the present
session but the introduction of bill by Of my col
leagues GMr TAYLOR 20 alter the naturalization laws has
induced change that determination, and claim the
indulgence of the committee while submit my views on
this importaus subject This shall do very briefly as
wish to speak also OF the causes which have led TO h
proposition.
exists any defect in the present law II ought TO be amend
ed Before foreigner become citizen Of this coun-
try under the laws of Congress- he must prove open
y court .tt.. Hi3
lst A resdence of Ave years in the United States.
I'd A residence of year in the State or Territory
where application is made
Sd. A good moral character,
4th. Attachment TO our government It's constitution ana
laws,
And in addition to this the applicant must take oath
of ahraton Of allegiance to all foreign powers whaso-
ever and particularly that prince poenate Of which be
las, subject and the oath of allegiance or fidelity 10
our government.
these laws are not properly enforced il is not the fault
Of the legislature and statutes would not likely en-
gage more attention from the Judiciary than the old IL
the law, as stands be executed no foreigner but
person of good character can ever become eitzeh OF
the United States.
II is sad however that the object of the Of this
law is to prevent the immigration of foreign pauper
convics and feons into this country and the impora-
ton Of these classes from foreign countries is the evil now
complained Of If such characters imported into this
country is evil and 1t is duty remedy it. But
how are do 1t win the repeal of the naturaiza
ton laws have that effect? Certainly not On the con-
trary would accomplish directly the of what the
advocates of repeal claim its real object The classes Of
foreigners sought be excluded nothing for political
rights They DO not aspire to the dignity Of citizenship
and make inquiry into the political laws Of the country
to which they fee But il is different with those who
come here fgives from justice but to better their
condition in life and to enjoy the privileges OF our free in
stituons
shall not enter into discussion of the power of
Congress determine the qualification of voters in the
States do not believe have any such power under
the constitutions and to pass law extending the
time necessary for naturalization to twenyone years. it
would affect the number of votes cast by foreigners
any of our elections The right TO VOTE and the right to
hold property only incidents of citizenship and may
be conferred by the legislatures Of the States upon whom
they may proper whether foreign native
born Before legislator seeks to amend statute in refer
any subject ho ought to understand what the old
law h the evil il any, that grows out of and the proper
remedy that evil Ny colleague seems have
studied neither but seeks to base the legislation of Con-
gress upon popular prejudice and to carry into the stat
ue-book condemnation Of religious creed. This is in
direct conflict with the spirit of the constitution of the
United States-a and such legislation is inconsistent with
the character of the American Congress.
am willing to vote for law care not how stringent
its provisions may be- exclude paupers convics and
felons from shores But while am in favor of such
law cannot give my sanction to one which will exclude
men of reputation and character from our land HFa
But Mr. Chairman, cannot believe that the object of
this movement to repeal modify is brought forward for
the honest purpose OF improving the naturalization laws
of the country II has another object in viewanother
purpose to accomplish 1t seeks to engender preudces
strife and contention between the native and adopted ci
ZEN In order to aid encourage and strengthen the
party which has sprung into existence very appropriately
called
This ubiquitous organization to be shroudcd
much darkness the forms and ceremonies Of the ancient
Eleusinan mysteries but
q Be thou spirit of health or goblin damned;
Be thy intents wicked or charitable
Thou CONS In such questionable shape
ie That will speak to thee"
And in speaking Of this party shall discuss
1t in the following order:
lst. Its origin and constituent elements
I'd. Its mode of action.
a Sd. Its objects and assumed principles; and
E4 4ih. lts fruits and ultimate consequences.
This sir, presents large field for discussion, and
not hope W do justice to the subject in the brief time al
lowed me for its consideration. do this organi-
zation lightly Its secrecy gives it efficiency in action
and with power to do good evil II has had but
abrd existence and has already startled the mid by its
wonderful success Tme-serving politicians demagorues
and disappointed oiceseekers in tia means of eeva
ton to place in the public councils and corrupt find
In shield to their demer through the secrecy of
its operations Many "good and true have also
joined the order under the belief that it is an honest
opposition Catholics and foreigners and shrewd pot
clans look to it means of migrating upon the govern
ment their favore schemes of political economy
fu inquiry however into its origin elements objects pra-
cipes and results will, in my Judgment dspe its magi-
cal power and disclose to astonished people its dark
designs and dangerous tendencies
N. origin and constituent eleuaents
in mystery II is said to have been started in the city of
New York by asngle individual account Of his prejudice
against Catholic foreigner II made but little progress
during the first and second years of its existence Its org
nator however perseyered in bis undertaking. and gather
ed into the fold Of the organization the malconens of
the existing political parties. Those who had not the
merit to engage the favor Of the people upon any published
political creed early induced join it, in the hope of
either acquiring place wreaking their vengeance
those whom the people had honored with their confidence
Many oo led into the order out of curiosity and
desire to know the principles and ceremonies Of
political society. BY these means il gradually gained
strength and ultimately enabled to carry municipal
election in one Of the northern cities This much
aioutableto its numerical strength its
uanon upon an individual who known to cand
uate ior ONCE The attention of ha then for the
hrst time attracted TO the party 1t continued de-
veop ITSELF carrying most of the municipal elections in the
northern cities without however making itself visible
TIL the election was over and il forced make its APP
pearance to claim the spos of victory and to force obe
dience TO its commands We all remember the exciting
election that came off In this city in June last which re-
suited in the defeat Of OF the best executive officers
ever known to the city OF Washington This gave such
encouragement to the order that il became the
asylum for all The political maeontents in the country
and with this additional strength soon after enabled
TO carry the city OF its mayor and
most of the members of council in "the City rotbery
Love- Up TO this time Mr. Chairman both political par
es 10 the South had stood aoof from the new organza-
uon The democratic party took bold ground against il
and denounced it as raugh with evil The country The
whg party conented itself simply by shedding its
and awaiting such Developments as would indicate the
strength OF the new party, that they might determine
whether TO join II or not
What sir the condition OF the two great political
parties of the country at this tme2
In the presidential election Of 1852 the democrats had
carried twenty of the hrty-one States of the Union
THAR prrcila la1 L..