The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-06
the Lexington (Ky.) Statesman
OPINIONS OF THE OLD FATHERS OF THE RE
PUBLIC


republic touching the policy Of encouraging immigrants to
this country We have to believe and do believe
that they have aserbed Of thempartculary TO
Jefferson and ashingonopinons they expressed
and entertained For the purpose of correcting false
impressions thus made and also for the purpose Of show
ing what the real sentiments of those old sages on
this subject have been the pains to hunt up anthem
tic documents containing their opinions expressed in au-
hentc forms and under circumstances which necessarily
called forth their opinions while engaged in official action
Their opinions expressed under such circumstances are
entitled to great weight and consideration, and silence
any fugitive paragraph torn from its proper connexion
garbed and dsjonted and made TO enunciae an opinion
which was entertained That the know-notbings
are guilty of such garblng and fraud has been already
abundanty proved that they seek to prop up their bad
by such is certainly true They have thus
msrepresened both Jefferson and Washington and prob
ably Others Of the old revolutionary fathers
Below we give Mr. Jeierson's opinion, officially ex-
pressed II may be necessary to remark by way OF ex-
planaon that when Mr.. Jefferson into the presi-
dency in 1901 the then existing naturalization laws
qned foreigner reside in the country fourteen years
before he could be admitted to the rights Of citizenship
This law been enacted by the old federaist party who
had also passed the odious alien and sedton laws All
these part of the policy of the old federal
list party and overthrown by the democratic republic
cans of day under the leadership of Mr. Jefferson aud
his republican brethren II in view of this fourteen
year that Mr. Jefferson in his first annual message to
Congress- the 9Th of December 1901 made the following
recommendation
al cannot omit recommending revisal of the laws
the subject of naturalization Considering the ordinary
chances human life denial of citizenship under resi-
dence of fourteen years denial to great proportion Of
those who ask it. and controls policy pursued from their
first settlement by many Of these Safes and still believed
of consequence their prosperity And shall refuse
the unhappy ugves from distress that hospitality which
the savages OF the wilderness extended to fathers
irving in this land Shall oppressed humanity find
asy um this globe The indeed has
ly provided that for admission to certain Offices OF import
trust residence shall be required sufficient to develop
character and design but might not the general character
and capabilities of citizen be safely communicated to
eTa-v manfeng bona tide purpose of embarkng his
life and fortunes permanently win us win RESTRICTIONS
perhaps to guard against the fraudulent usurpaon Of our
iag-an abuse which brings much embarrassment and
loss on the genuine citizen and much danger to the
nation OF being involved in war; that no endeavor should
| be spared to detect and suppress it,
i statesmans Manual, col l. p. 1871.
In accordance With Mr. yeersons recommendation, the
law was changed. The time OF residence required of an
immigrant before naturalization reduced 10 cc
aud the law in this respect has remained ever since
Mr. Jefferson signing the bill and approving it as Presi-
dent.
In the convention which framed the constitution of the
United States the subject of the naturalization of foreign
ers was also discussed That convention, which met in
1887 was composed of old revolutionary fathers, and
was presided by Washington The following speeches
were made while the question pending was how long a
foreigner shall reside in this country before he shall be eli
pibe to the Office Of United States representative Uni
ted States senator
aDocor Franklin against reasonable time but
should very sorry anythng like lberaity inserted
in the constitution The people in Europe are friendly TO
this country Even in the country with which we have
been lately at have now and had during the
great many friends, not only among the people at large
but in both houses Of Parliament In every other country
in Europe MI the people friends We foSsd in the
OF the revolution that many strangers served us
faithfully and that many natives took part against their
country When foreigners after looking about for
other country in which they obtain more happiness,
give preference ours it is proof of attachment which
/ ought to excite our confidence and affection"
/ Madison Popers, poL 3, PIP. 1850.
Doctor Franklin it should be noted had resided great
deal abroad he bad been agent Of the colonies in Great
Britain minister to France, and had been great deal
among the people the continent of Euope and he
consequently better acquainted with the sentiments Of the
people of Europe touching this country than any other
man in America
The next the speech of Mr. Madison afterwards Pres
dent Of the United States who regarded peculiarly the
father of the constitutions
4 aMr Madison not ayerse restrictions this
subject could agree the proposed amendment
lie thought any restriction however, in the constitution UNI
necessary and because the nations
al legislature to have the right of regulating natuaza
ton and can by virtue thereof fix different periods of res
idence conditions of enjoying different privileges Of cit
zenshp improper because il will give tnctue of lib
crafty the constitution because it will put it out of the
power of national legislature by special acts Of
naturalization TO confer the ull on merlt0
rous strangers and because 1T will discourage the most
desirable class of people from emigrang to the United
States Should the proposed constitution have the intend
ed effect Of giving stability and reputation to govern
ments great numbers OF respectable Europeans who
love liberty, and wish to parake its blessings, will be
ready to transfer their fortunes hither All such would
feel the modification Of being marked with suspicious in
capactations though they should not covct the public
! honors. He not apprehensve that any dangerous
number Of strangers wud be appointed BY the State leg
sature IL they left at liberty do so; that
foreign powers would make OF strangers instrt-
nents for their purposes Their brides would be expended
on men whose circumstances would rather ste than
cite jealousy and waohulness in the public"
A Papers, UoL 3, p. 1874.
i Mr. Madison subsequent occasion, the subject
4 being up, made the following speech.
"hr. Madison seconded the motion He wished TO main
tain the character of beray which had been protested in
all the constitutions and publications of America He
wished invite foreigners OF merit and republican princi
pies among us America indebted to emigration for
her settlement aud prosperity That part of America
which had encouraged them most had advanced most
idly in popu.aon agriculture and the There
possible danger be admitted that with foreign predi
lectons might obtain appointments; but il by no
probable that il would happen in any dangerous
DEGREE For the that they would be attached
TO their native country people would prefer
tiyes of this country to them Experience proved this
be the Instances of foreigner being
ing among II bribery be practsed by foreign
powers it would not be attempted among the electors but
among the elected, aud among natives having full conf
dpnce of the people not strangers who would be
regarded with jealous MADISON Papcrs roll 3, p
1900.
Mr. Edmund Randolph, of Virginia, gave expression to
hs opiuons on the subject in the following language: