Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-24
AMERICAN ORGAN.
THE NATURALIZATION LAws--PoLIeY or THE ROMAN
~ Aa CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Speech of Hon. W. r.. smith,

THE sATgRALIzArIoN LAws--PoLIoY or rHg ROMAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Speech of Hon. w. II. smith,
or ALABAMA,
III the House Of Representatives., Jan. 15, 1865
Mr.. SMITH, of Alabama, said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN; Propositions have been already
made in this Hall, and at the other end of the
Capitol, to repeal or modify the naturalization
laws. That question Is assuming proportions of
considerable magnitude. In fact sir, 1t is becom-
ing the great question Of the age. The time has
come when American legislators will be forced
by the voice Of the people, to take stand upon
this subject and before this question, which in
itself cmbodies the grand idea of American nation
atty, all mere party organizations viii have to give
way and retire.
question Is the rise and progress of new order
of men, whose name and designation, up to this
period, is as yet unknown, but whose existence,
however shadowy and mysterious, is a fixed fact
and whose power in this country, for good or
evil, has made itself felt from ono end Of the
Union to the other M
Against this party the vituperation Of the press
have been levelled. Many Of our honorable friends
here have entered into the discussion of the sub
jects arising upon it with intense excitement They
behold in this new order nothing that ID good but
some shadowy gant-s0me fabulous Hercules
some raU head and bloody Jones---some mysterious
dcstroyer-some lion, endowed with voracious ap-
petite, going about seeking whom it may devour.
For my part, have not been able to discover any
Of these dangers; feel none Of these apprehen-
sons; and 1t is my purpose, on this occasion, to
inquire into the existence Of these dangers and ap
prehensions.
Sir who compose this new party? So far as the
public know, and so far we all know, and SO far
as it is admitted theparty consists of ndtve Anacy
cans not aboriginals, not exactly cannibals but
free-born American citizens. And how can an
American behold in an organization of his country
men such extravagant terrors? Who will say that
an association Of native Americans is less worthy
of confidence than an association of mixed Ameri-
cans and foreignenf
| assume that the admitted elements Of this or
ganization, being native American, absolutely ex-
cludc the idea that, as party, they can have any
thing at heart but the glory, honor, and welfare of
the country. And what do they propose to dop
With all their dangerous appearance, their myste-
rious organization with all their test oaths of se-
crecy, as alleged, what do they propose to do
They have but one simple proposition to submit to
the country, and that is, the pnrifcation Of tho
bdllot-bor. The idea embodes the whole doctrine
about that result what do they propose to do 7
They propose to exclude unnaturalized foreigners
from the ballot-box, and to check immigration, by
wholesome laws for that purpose. That Is the ut
most extent to which they propose to go.
Intimately connected, however, with this ques-
tion Is one Of very delicate character--the ques-
ton of Catholicism in this country 1t is said that
lies from Office. have no doubt that such poll
cy is part Of their faith, not only because of
their Catholic faith, but because the Roman Cath
olic Church in this country Is 80 intimately con-
nected with foreign influence in all its branches,
that 1t is impossible to separate the two-and they
have to take the whole or exclude the whole.
/ do not pretend that have, upon this occasion,
any well-arsnged plan In reference to the repeal
or modification of the naturalization laws. have,
however some distinct propositions to make, which
are radical in their character. propose to strike
at the root Of the evil. do not bring forward my
proposition in the form of bill, because nobody
can suppose that this Congress win Avor this re-
formation. 1t cannot be expected that an admin
istraton which is SO distinctly committed in favor
Of foreigners and foreign influence as this, should
take the back track. do not suppose that during
the presant session of Congress any bill of the
kind will receive any serious attention. will lay
before the committee, however, the propositions
which must in the main, meet the desire Of the
Native American party but i do not wish TO
commit any person but myself for these PROPOSE
tons.
In the first place, IL is well known that we now
have no law by which a foreigner can be excluded.
II there Is any law requiring foreigner to bring
passport it s so loosely administered to amount
to nothing. Foreigners can come by millions and
there Is nobody to exclude them, or TO say nay.
Is there any other country upon the face Of the
earth, properly organized, that admits an influx
of foreigners without any restriction whatever 7
None.
RADICAL PROPOSITIONS.
make this, then, my first proposition, that no
emigrant should be allowed to leave the ship In
which he comes until, upon his solemn oath, he
renounces his allegiance TO all foreign powers, and
until he swears that il Is his bona fds intention TO
become an inhabitant Of the United States. The
necessity Of this requsition shall be made known
TO him by the captain of the ship before he takes
passage, and his passport shall contain in It's face
this requisition.
A wofu, sir, upon this proposition. ! stated
that we had no law, and no clause Of a law, by
which to exclude foreigners in any numbers. Eng
land, France, and Russia, and all governments in
the East, require every man who puts his foot
upon their shores, 10 exhibit q passport. Thereby
they can regulate immigration, and say who is 70
come and who Is to remain. Suppose, sir, that
England, France, or Russia, or any other govern
ment have a desire and an Intention TO make war
upon tue bnlItu Dltttss III ht hoSSh,t VI thc
law TO which refer, before any act Of hostility
should be committed, they could land upon our
shores in merchant ships in the form Of emigrants
any number OF soldiers, from one hundred TO a
million. How easy would il be for the Gar 10
send one hundred thousand Russians 10 this coun-
try emigrants.
One hundred thousand immigrants arriving in
New York in month would create no excitement
Their promenading Broadway would not so swell
the tide Of that immense population as to be per-
ceivsble. They could 60 and equip themselves
with American rifles, furnish themselves with
American powder, and American bullets, and go
in American cars TO any portion Of the country, and
be ready at any time, TO exhibit themselves as an
armed force, in the heart of the country. This
may never occur, but we know that the landing OF
an army in an enemy's country in case OF war, is
a most important matter, and our laws enable an
enemy to food the country with his soldiers in the
form Of emigrnnts. ask now, of American states
men, if this thing ought TO existg Will any man
say that II is his duty to live alone for this present
aav his dutV afODg this