The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-08-16
Naturalization.

There is one point, taken up by Mr.. Camp
bell, IN his recent speech here, which has not
received proper attention by the people. 1t
Is the fact that Indiana is strictly chargeable
with having on her statute book, nulltca-
ton law, in regard to naturalization.
Before the forming of present United
States Constitution, each colony or each State
had its own rule of naturalization. One State
would introduce foreigners into the family on
tlve years residence, another, on two years,
and another on one, and another on months
residence, or Immediately on landing. This
introduction made them citizens of the repub-
lie into which they Were introduced; and W hen
all those republics had become firmly bound
or associated together, don't you see it opera
ted unequally and unfairly? While one colo
ny was inviting strangers with her wide open
door. she was gaining population and numer-
lcal power, not only beyond her neighbor,
who chose to be more careful and choice in
her selection of citizens. While each colony
remained entirely on her own account, it was
all fair: for if any of them thought that
the evils growing out of hasty naturalization
were coUnterbalauced by the benefits received
by the same means, she herself was the Judge,
in that matter, and had the right to regulate
it as she chose.
But as soon a compact OF the colonies
HMai Had a2rtR1 a tRings common, ii became obviously
matter of Justice at once TO settle the terms on
which new members should be admitted TO
any colony, because into whichever colony
foreign vote was admitted. it now had direct
bearing upon the whole confederacy.
Therefore as soon as the colonies determn-
ed to form a more perfect compact under
Constitution embracing the Thirteen United
States,'' among other matters which 1t was
,l,ta hxra la
this affair of naturalizing was examined; and
the following article was introduced into the
GLORIOUS Constitution:
..SEc 8, Art t. The Congress shall have
power to establish an uniform rule of natural
ization and uniform laws on the subject Of
bankruptcies throughout the United States
Congress has accordingly, established a
'uniform rule" which requires all foreigners
to reside within the bounds Of the United
States FIVE years before they can become citi-
zens.
What business, then. has Indiana to say
that a foreigner may become citizen of the
United States on one years residence? The
law Of this State introduces foreigners to citi
zenship here in one years residence in the
United States. six months of which shall have
been in this State.
Now, Indiana is sovereign Sta.e, and un-
doubtedly has right TO FIX the rule Tor the
admission of strangers TO citizenship within
her own borders, SO far as her domestic affairs
are concerned. She can give him a vote for
State officers. but she cannot give him vote
for any United States officer, nor can she
count him in making up the ratio of repre-
seulation TO Congress.
This is what we call a notification law. 4
piece of self degrading legislation. shame
less gambling in foreign flesh for groselling
party purposes.
If State WILL so debase HERSELF, she has
no business to impose her folly upon the coun-
ellis of the sisterhood, in the very face Of plain
law Wabash Express.