The weekly Placer herald., 1855-08-18
Naturalization Laws of the United
States.

Naturalization Laws Of the United
States.
One of the principal grievances asserted by
tho colonies in their declaration of indepen-
dence, and which was conceded in l776 as a
sufficient cause for the separation of the colo
nies from Great Britain. was, that the King
of England endeavored to prevent the popu-
lation of these States from removing obstruc-
tions in the laws for the naturalization OF
foreigners, and in refusing to pass others to
encourage their immigration hither.
Taking this as one of the causes of the Re-
volution, it is apparent that the wisest states
men of the Republic saw that population was
the great source of wealth, as we'll for the
purpose of developing the resources OF the
country. as for defending it against invasion;
and they determined at the outset, at the time
of the foundation of the Federal Government
and the adoption of the Federal Constitution
to establish fixed rule Of Naturalization
To do this, it became necessary for the eX-
listing States to relinqush the right of natu
ralization which they exercised. This they
did, and accordingly this was included among
the rights secured to the Federal Government,
and the exclusive exercise of it by Congress
has been decided by the most eminent jurists
of the United States. For the purpose of
hedging this right around with greater securi-
ty. another clause was inserted in the Con-
et;< hot tho o;t of oooh Sfofo
entitled to the privileges and immunties Of
the citizens of the several States
The subject of adopting fixed rule of
naturalization came before the first Congress,
which sat in 1889. and the debates Of that
time show that the bill introduced to carry
out the design Of the Constitution, provided a
residence of one year and declaration of in
tention before a magistrate. of the alien, be-
fore he could exercise the ri ghts of citizen.
1t was even urged by some of the members OF
Congress that this was too long term Of pro-
baton. At the sitting Of the third Congress.
the bill introduced was amended SO as to fix
the time of probation at five years, and re-
sdence of one year in the State. making the
application and an aburation of all allegiance
to every foreign prince, potentate and power,
an evidence Of moral character.
The men of that time understood the i'm
portance and value of immigration; they set
forth that each individual that was added to
the population of the country, would either
bring his wealth with him. thereby increasing
the general mass of wealth. or that, if he
brought but his body, his labor would be pro-
ductive of national wealth. and an addition to
the national strength. We quote the remarks
of Mr.. Lawrence. one of the members of this
Congress. for the purpose of showing the
political quacks of thep present day the opinions
that were then entertained. He says: Every
one that comes among US, be he rich or poor,
must add to our wealth in great or less de-
gree" This act of Congress struck then at
the very root Of the old opinions of the Gov
ernments and Kings of Europe. 1t assumed
the right of expatriation, right denied by
Great Britain, who held the doctrine of ''once
a subject always subject which doctrine
was afterwards maintained in the war of 1912,
at which time Great Britain exercised the
right of entering American vessels and i'm
pressing seamen whom she claimed as British:
subjects whereas they were naturalized citi-
zens of the United States.-C Cosmopolitan.
The TRUE AMERICAN PARTY.-SOme of the
Democrats Of New Orleans wrote to Robert