Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-06-20
IMMIGRATIoN.
ItsInfuenee ON our National Prosress

the Declaration Of Independence based
their resolution TO defy the power of the
King Of Great Britain, the following stands
conspicuous: Ies
"He has endeavored to prevent the
population of these States; for that pur-
pose OBJ. true ing the laws for naturaliza-
ZION of foreigners; refusing to pass others
to encourage their migration hither, and
raising the conditions of new appropria>
tions Of lands"
These, amongst others. were enumera-
ted as evidences of direct object on the
part Of the British King to establish "an'
absolute tyranny over these States" The
founders Of our republic, therefore. favor
ed immigration, aud to that end denoun>
ccd the distractions to naturalization and
the refusal TO encourage migration hith
er" by George the Third. as acts Of ty-
ranny The illustrious patriots who fra
med the constitution. introduced into It .
clause empowering Congress to adopt a
'uniform rule of naturalization" The
irst Congress which assembled under the
constitution, composed in great degree
of the same sages and state, men who had
signed the Declaration Of Independence
and framed the constitution, enacted q law
By which any free white alien. who had
resided two years within the United States.
might become citizen. This law was.
passed in March, 1890. In January.
1896. the term of residence prior 10 ad-
mission as citizen, was increased to Eve
years. Such was the legislation during
President Washington's two terms. IN
June. 1898, after John Adams became,
President, and when federalism held sway
in the government, the term Of residence
prior 10 admission to citizenship, was in>
creased TO fourteen years. II so contin-
ued until April, 1909, when Alr, Jefferson
being President and democracy in the as
cendant, the term was reduced 10 the
Washington standard of Eve years, and so
it has remained down to the present day.
It is now proposed by the modern order
of patriots who delight in the name Of
know nothings to prevent the further i'm
migration Of foreigners by repeating the
naturalization laws entirely. If that is
found practicable. and If not, TO obstruct
it as much as possible by extending the
term Of residence TO tWenty~one years.
Their first proposition is substantially the
policy Of The King Of Great Britain, which
the signers of the Declaration denounced
to the world as tyrannioal; their alternate
proposition is substantially the policy Of
the federalists OF 1893, except that Il is
worse by just one third. The democrats
stand upon the platform 6rst erected un-
der Washington and re established under
Jefferson, for carrying into practical effect
the policy proclaimed by the signersl Of
the Declaration Of Independence.
We propose now to yindicate the Bis>
dom and patriotism of the fathers Of the
republic against the reckless aud factious
attacks Of The modern federal advocates
of the policy Of King George the Third.
Upon the principle which these model pa
triotS now promulgate, they would have
been on the side OF the British King in II.
76. and 10 1898 they would have passed
as acceptable federalists. II immigration
is wrong now. 1t was wrong then; II obs
strucIions to naturalization are right now,
they were right then.
We are not without reliable data on
which to determine whether know.noths
ings are wiser and more patriotic than
Washington. jefferson. Madison, and the
host Of sages and statesmen who have
concurred with them in encouraging im-
migration and facilitating naturalization.
We have the fruits Of their policy, and by
that standard We will judge Of its wisdom.
With the exception Of four years, the DEM
ocratic policy as 10 immigration and nat.
uraliz alion has been in force from the be.
ginning Of the government to the present
time We commenced with thirteen
States, and free population Of less than
three millions and half. We have now
Lhirty-One States. with free population
Of more than twenty millions. PoPula>
ton and territory are prominent elements
in national strength. prosperity. aud great
ness. Our commerce has grown and eE-
tended until we acknowledge no superior
and few rivals in commercial greatness.
Our revenues have increased from few
millions 70 more than City annually
Immense empires Of new LsrTitory have
been acquired and paid for, and now fur
nish homes and happiness 70 millions Of
enterprising AMI productive citizens
Our prOgress in all that gives power and
! greatness 70 a nation has filed The world
with wonder end admiration, whilst Il has
6IIed our own people with spirit Of na>
Iional pride, which they have abundant
cause 70 indulge. All this, aud many
fold more, will be readily conceded even
by our know nothing patriots; bal. 10 their
simplicity, they will ssk Whist has onr
amazing progress 10 all the elements ol
national prosperity and grandeur 70 Dc
with the policy Of immigration and nath
rslizauion We will endeaYOr 70 enlight.
en- them by the irresistible logic Of facts
and figures.
1.-the kuow>nothings had controlled the
government in 1889. when the eonstitu.
tiOn went into operation, instead Of en-
couraging immigration and enaeting libe'
raj naturalization laws, theirpolicy would
have been total exclusion Of all foreign.
H.. ~.