Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-10-06
Letter from a "Naturalized Citizen"

Col T. G. HUNT-Sr: have received copy
of your speech at IIoum and read with much satisfeon
coincide with exception in all the views you therein
express especially in reference to the Nebraska Bill
and had determined long SINCE that you came before the
people for election you should have my vote anu whae
little influence able to exercise. Your views were
sound and patriotic your manly and independent,
and trust majority of constituents will ratily them
by your reelection. ii
have not been present any of the political meetings
this season. for that find myself standing pretty
much alone. The wing party to which have belonged all
my life for the present at least to have existence
My old political friends and associates have formed new
themselves and have adopted rule for their govern
ment which not only off from all utilization with
them but far they effect the object indirectly. de-
prves Of of the most valuable portions of my right
of citizenship Imean they have become Know Nothings,
and put in the category Of foreigner although
have enjoyed all the rights of citizenship for nearly half
| century.
Now sir you say in your speech wise legislation is found
ed on general truths Gases of individual hardship must
But the general good the true and only rule OF
society and you dispose of the rights large class Of
population "naturalized citizens" by latin quotation,
| =" sdlus g'opali, sm1r'en,G ter.''
say you that the adopted by this asso-
CT which you have attached yourself in reference to
large class of naturazed citizens, is neither just nor
polite Not just because you have (f have been recy
normed bou yourselves by so!emny and without al
lowing yourselves any reservation or exception not to
for any candidate for office who may be naurazed
CITIZEN thereby taking away FROM him right of political
equality guaranteed to him by law part of the implied COM
pact HIM and the people the United States when
he became citizen
No man. no matter how Indifferent he may have felt to
the exercise Of political right will patiently submit to be de-
prved of it, and although he may have contemplated
the probability Of entering political life, he will not bear
with good temper have the door rudey shut in his face
Now SIR you think that that large class Of citizens to
which belong, who American IN ece'yting but
birth many of whom citizens before large portion Of
the members Of your association born will submit good
emperedy to be thrust aside and be told foreigners
be admitted participate with equal
in the government Of the country? They surely will not
You have already driven many Of them into the democratic
ranks and those who bring themselves unite with
that party will stand soured polite produce
such result?
the correctness of your remarks reference
to foreign population generally am ofopnion that the
time has for the entire repeal the naturalization laws
But do object to the sweeping manner in which order
undertakes accomplish the object object most strongly
WHO Caiue Culteu 6tdteS
infancy boyhood, who have served period of time
equal to that which native born citizen would have
before he could political right matter what may
have been their services merits should be put the
footing the Immigrant of yesterday AndI cannot
perceive how the public safety could in way be endan
gered by making them exceptions your general rule
But all new ideas are liable to be carried too far Your
order in of the States fit modify of its
of of
citizens among whom much patriotism and conservatism
is to be found any other may induce your order
dfy another. Trusting that native born citizens in
ing their rights will continue trampe the rights
of others who have acquired them lawfully are in every
respect competent to exercise them subscribe myself
"NATURALZED CITIZEN"
of more than fifty years.