Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-07-27
TnE AMERICAN.
The Naturalization Laws.

A"o'"haPoits RePuoftcuH announced
that the Americaa party. was in favor
OF extending the period Of naturaliza-
ton 10 81 years. We marked the
sentiment for future criticism. We
do not belong to that party but we
confess that in the main we sympathize
with its views. We have already Civ
en- our views on that subject. With
pleasure we let our old friend, Milton
Gregg. give his. which. ii will be per-
ceived. are precisely the same as we
advanced some 4 months ago:
We should like to know by what au-
thority the editor Of the Daily Even
ing Republican. at Indianapolis thus
undertakes to say. that the American
party are in favor Of so changing the
Naturalization Laws as 10 require a
probation of fsoenty one years on the
part Of the alien. before.he can become
. citizen of the United States. For
one, we repudiate both the doctrine,
and the authority 10 utter ii. There
Is nothing Of the kind contained in any
obligation or ritual Of the Order. that
we have ever seen or heard. Doubt
less there are many members of the
party who are in favor Of this doctrine.
, but then there are quite rs many who
are not. and among this latter class be
u1eased In cousider
There seems to be avery great error
in the minds Of many with regard to
this question Of naturalization. and il
is more than probable that our friend
Of the Republican. has fallen into it,
That error consists in supposing that
the right Of suffrage is necessarily de-
pendant upon naturalization. This is
not so. For example, Congress may
extend the term Of probation 10 Ell
years before tina man can become cit
izen, and yet during all this time he
may be voting for all the Offices Of the
Country, from President down. The
reason is obvious. Congress alone has
the power to regulate the time and
mode Of Observation-Disclosures States
alone have the power to prescribe the
qualification Of voters. Hence the
laws comforting citizenship are uniform
throughout the whole country, while
the laws comforting the right Of suffrage
are different in different States and
Territories.
II then it be true that the right Of
suffrage is not dependent upon citizen
ship. why should the term Of probation
be extended? What can be affected
by IL. except to withhold from them
the enjoyment Of certain civil rights,
such rs serving on juries. alternating
property. and claiming the protection
ofour flag. into whatsoever country
they may choose to travel? And who
is 1t that desires to withhold from them
the enjoyment Of these rights for Pc
Rod oftwenty-one years. We certain
ly do not.
The only way to stop this voting on
the part Of the foreigners. is to go to
work and change our State conslitu.
tons. so rs to limit the right Of suffrage
to the citizens OF the United States.-
And thatis what we are in favour OF
doing.
It will be..seen by the following
platform adopted on the i2lh inst, by
the State Council. that the views Of
Republican are not endorsed:
American Platform Of Principles adop-
ted BY Me State Council Of Indiana. Jm-
ly t2fA, 1856.
WHEREAS. The National Council al
its late session, ut Philadelphia. in.
volved the American party in the dis
cussion Of. and action upon, matters
moro properly belonging to the Ma
tional Legislature. which discussion
and action resulted 80 disastrously, as
We think. for the harmony and gen.
eral usefulness Of our national organi.
xation:-And. Whereas. in consequence
Of that result. It Is now cot only prop
or. but necessary, that, in vindication
Of the Order throughout this State. as
also an act Of justice to those acting
under commission attested by the
honored Seal Of the State Council Of
Indiana. we should, ia temperate, bu
firm and unmistakeable language. thu
express our unqualified appreciation o.
the course pursued by our delegates
and also announce the future policy
and principles Of the American party
Of tie State:
Therefore. Resolved. That the del
cgates Of Indiana. in the National Or
der at its Annual Session recently helt
in Philadelphia. in protesting agains
the report adopted by the majority o
the Committee on Platform, did faith
fully represent the order in this State
and also the public sentiment Of tn,
people Of Indiana as expressed ut th'
ballot box in October last. and tina
this Council does hereby cordially up
prove and endorse this action. and wo',
earnestly recommend the adoption. o
and steadfsst adherence to, the follow
ing Platform Of Principles:
First. Resolved that we are uncom
P~s"Sy oPPoseu w eno oAsehsio'
OF slavery; and that We will by al
law ul means. seek to place ever,
branch Of the Federal Government i
the hands Of men who will assert III
right Of Ffeedom-.estorc the Nilsson
ri Compromise, and refuse. under a
circumstances. to tolerate Slavery ]
any portion of the Territory consecra
ted to Freedom in that Compromise.
Second, We demand and will insis
upon. the amendment Of the Constitu
ton Of the State Of Indiana. in orde
that the elective franchise shall be en-
joyed only by Native born citizens an
those who are made citizens by virtu
and operation Of the Constitution an
laws Of the United States.
Third. As apoiifieai party we pledg
the equal protection Of our laws
oil persons in the enjoyment Of the
civil and religious rights, wheths
such persons be Of native or foreig
birth.
Fourth. To these chief elements {