The American patriot., 1855-07-14
Naturalization Laws.

| 1t has been stated before that the doctrines
Of our party while in its infancy, were not pro-
perly digested and concentrated; they re-
quired to be trimmed of many excrescences
which had grown upon the faith, and to be
fixed. The general political views Of the par
ty have ever been common to all the members,
but on some minor points there has existed
some difference of opinion-some entertaining
more liberal, while others advocated more ul-
ira doctrines. The position of the latter is
owing, no doubt, to their over anxiety to reme-
dy at once the evils which they sought to re-
dress.
That the present term of probation to the
foreigner is too short-that it should be ex-
tended, is the position maintained by our par
ty-and it is one which we think cannot be
successfully combatcd by the opposition.
There were those party members and those
journalists in our ranks, in the early history of
our organization, who held that the naturaliza-
ton laws should be wholly repealed. This
idea is one which is evidently impracticale and
decidedly ultra. Ultra because the remedy
they proposed was more than commensurate
with the disease to be cured-going far beyond
it-and impracticable because it could not be
carried into effect, and if it could, consequent
ces would result from the operation of this
extreme remedy which would be by no means
desirable.
The platform framed by the Philadelphia
Convention, however, has settled all these diff:
ferences Of opinion-the pruning knife has
faithfully done its work-the party has been
placed upon its own proper ground, and now
the codiication of our party views are COM
pletc.
The position of the Order on the subject of
the Naturalization laws is, that these laws shall
only be modified; not wholly repealed. This
has ever been the doctrine held to by the mas
ses Of our Order-developed the first oppor-
tunity that offered itself; and it was only the
ultraists who would 60 so far as to exclude the
foreigner entirely from any participation in
the affairs of our Government
We do not understand it to be the policy of
our party to prohibit the immigration of hon
est and industrious men to our country. To
accomplish such an end would be impossible
even was it desirable. Come they will, come
they can, and come let them, we say. Our
only province is to protect ourselves and our
institutions against any injurious influence
which might arise from their unrepublican
character We should not arm them when
they arrive with those extraordinary powers
which, las sword in the hands of one un-
skilled in the science of fencng) they, from not
knowing how to use, may turn them against
themselves and our institutions They must
be governed until they are sufficiently Ameri-
canized to govern themselves. This self-de-
fence on our part is as much due to the for
eign population as ourselves and they derive
as much benefit from the good results
The advantages and protection of our Co.
vernment we would freely confer upon all who
emigrate to our shores, provided they prove
themselves worthy of the trust, without dis
tinction Of creed or nation. But it is due to
ourselves, to our posterity, to the foreigner in
our midst. and to the world at large, to lop off
some of those licentious exercises of political
freedom in which the foreigners have indulged
too freely; frequently abusing theil trust in
the most fragrant manner
It is quite mistaken idea in those who
think that citizenship is boon, which any one
who may come to our country has right to
ask. 1t is blessing which the Government
of every country has right to confer or with
hold, as it sees proper; and when it is dis.
covered that an indiscriminate and wholesale
bcstowal of citizenship is like to prove danger
GUS to the we'll being and well administration
of the Government, then an end should be put
to such licentious policy.
To exclude the foreigner entirely from all
participation in the management Of our politi-
cal affairs, and to give him no opportunity
to thoroughly identify himself with our coun-
try, is perhaps contrary to that spirit of poll
tical hospitality which has hitherto character
lied us as a people. The reforms we would
make do not call for such an ultra remedy
besides the repeal of the Naturalization laws
would have the effect to bring about distinc-
ton Of classes amongst us which is not con-
sonant with our notions of equality.
An extension of the term of probation to the
foreigner would perhaps, effect to accomplish
all that our party desires in regard to this ques-
ton. All that we ask is that the safeguards
around the ballot-box, broken down in many
instances shall be repaired and that the law
regulating the right Of suffrage shall be strictly
enforced. The probation to the foreigner