Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-01-29
American citizenship-Fo Conviots and

the affairs OF Europe.
American Citizenship-Forei Conviots an
PaupeIs.
We are opposed 10 warfare upon foreigner
who have in.lnigrated 10 this country for the pur
pose of making it their home. If they hnve il
good faith, aud legally, become citizens Of tn
United States, for giving them the fal
benefit Of whatever privileges the law coufer-
But opposed to all organizations, atnonl
themselves. OF n national and exclusive eharae
ter, whether military, political or religious; he
canse we think such associations calculated Il
engender prejudees. and prevent TINT assimi Ia
ton Of feeling and opinion, which is necessary ID
the integrity of our own nationality, and the
preservation of our form of government.
While these sentiments with reference
to foreigners who hive already become citzens.
or taken the nliaterY steps We think the tenn
per aud policy of the times urgently demand II
change IN ear naturalization laws. The period
has passed, when immigration desirable TO
the country When we were weak aud con
stautly meuaeed by the naughty arrogance of
superorand domneeiing powers every accession
to the population Of the country added TO its null
itary strength, aud increased its means Of self
defence; bat now, grown mighty and inyineible,
We no longer need such assistance ~ aud the rapid
native increase Is sufficient for the speedy filling
up of our nnoeeupied territories, aud the deYel
opment Of our national resources. Without pro
hihitng further immigration we would no longer
offer inducements 10 II. We would increase the
probation of immigrants, before comforting po-
itical rights upon them; and all conyicts and
pnuPers, would exclude altogether.
The term for naturalization my be extended
without injustice to any one. Foreigners who
have already arrived in the country might be
exempted from the application of the law, and
those who have not come would know It's proyi-
sions, and have the choice Of mol coming. Very
few of them, We are Inclined IL think, care any
thing about the political franchises aud priv.
leges with which citizenship invests them, until
politicians who want their votes, get at them.
Generally thy come for meat and bread not
to be made voters. For The most part they are
utterly ignorant Of the principles of our gov
ernment, the tenets Of parties, the merits OF pub
lie men, and the effect Of public measures, and
in many cases are incapable Of acquiring an I'M.
Outstanding of then=but without discrinina-
ton, end in ho hustle they are run through u
brief process which confers upon them the right
of passing all these subjects.
We agree with the y. \. Courier that .sthr
spirit Of Amcricansm of which the Know Moth.
ing organization has mode itself the representa-
tive, II not the exponent, Is STEADILY acquiring
stronger and deeper hold upon the public mind
The better part al the people are the more con.
WINGED the more they reflect upon il, that Amer
lean citizenship has been made too cheap. In
faet, the silent and steady progress Of this Amer
lem feeling, entirely independent Of the efforts
of the knowzNothing organization, and affecting
tae political views and action OF party OF citi-
4ens even more numerous, perhaps, than the or
der. aud not in any way under its influence, las
in itself convinced many who doubted at first
that this movement Is not successful political
trick or even temporary ebnllution oi popular
feeling These observations arc suggested by
the resolutions offered in the Senate, II day or
two ago by Mr.. Cooper, Of Pennsylvania. w
give them
Resolred, That the President Of the United
States bc, and he Is hereby, respectfully roques-
ted To cause the Secretary OF state mud the Sc
cretary of the Treasury respectively to commu-
nieate 10 the Senate such information as mny be
contained in their several departments, relating
Ia the transportation oi eunNlets and paupors into
the United States from foreign countries, aud
what agency the governments 10 which they he
long have had IN sending them hther. Also
such information as they may POSSESS relative t.
the voluntary immigration into the United State
of the above classes, the numbers OF each tia
have arrived here within the last two years, wbs
ther voluntary or through the compulsory hgen
of thoir respective governments.
Rtsoired. that the Committee ON the Judiciary
be- aud the same is hereby instructed to inquir,
Whit legislation, II any, be necessary to proven
the governments OF foreign countries from ira Is
porting into the United States, eonyicts IA,
panpers, also whether any and what legislat tol
j. necessary Ia prevent the voluntary lmmilTa
ton into the nited States from foreign conu
tries of either of the above classes tpersonsl
The consideration of these resolutions WA
laid over one day
The following letter has been addressed b,
Mayor Wood of New York, to the President. II
reference To the shipment Of foreign paupers am
criminals To the port of New York;
MAYORS OFFICE. NEw NoRH, Jan. :, ls5o.=
His Erceiencg Franklin Pifrce, President OF III
United StaitS-DEAR SIR There can be II
doubt, that for many yenrs this port has bee
made II sort of penal colony for ielons and pau
per.. by the local authorities of several OF tn
continental European nations, The desperat
/ character of portion of the people arriving her
! from those countries, together with the lnefeas
of crime aud misery among that class OF our POI
uaton with other facts before US prove conelu
sively that such Is the case
1t is unnecessary to refer TO the gross wron
thus perpetrated upon this city 1t requires tror
me no alluson 10 the jeopardy OF our lives an
property from this cause.--Alen who, by Ion
carrer of crime and desttution, have learned 1
recognise no lnws. either civil or natural, cann,