Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-03-31
Na.uraliza tien and Outrage.


In as much as there seems to be an indstlnctness
in the minds of some persons as to the power whi,h
regulates the naturalization laws, and that which
fixes the right Of suffrage, again return to the
subject. Some persons suppose that the naturaliza-
ton laws of the United States Government control
the privilege of voting, but this is entirely mis-
take.
Let it be borne in mind shat the Constitution Of
the United States declares that 1.-THE Congress shall
have power to establish an uniform rule OF naturali-
zation," and that Congress has in conformity to
chat provision enacted the existing naturalization
law, which provides that any alien who may desire
to become citizen, shall two years previously de-
claro on oath that it is his intention, in good faith,
to become citizen before court of record or the
Clerk of such court in his office, at the same time
renouncng all allegiance forever to any foreign
power or government, all of which is entered on
record to give the country notice of his intention
After he has resided in the U. States five years
secutivey and in the State where he makes the APP
plication at least one yeav next previously, which
fact he is not permitted to establish by his oath,
but must prove it, to the satisfaction of the cort by
other tcstimony-he must take an oath to support
the Constitution, and again he is sworn. absolutely
and entirely To and abiure all allegi
and fidelity to every foreign prince patentatc State
or sovereignty whatever, and particularly by name,
the prince potentate, State Sovereignty whereof
he was before citizen or subject 1t must be
further proved to the satisfaction OF the court thai
during tho five years, he has behaved Of
good moral character, attached to the principles of
the Constitution of the L. States and wei disposed
to the good order aud happiness Of the country.
This is the substance of the general law, as passed
by Congress. There other sections in the act,
but they relate to special and details. 1t seems
to be the policy Congress TO give an opportunity
to such of good moral character, attached to
the principles of the Constitution and we'll disposed
to the good order and happiness of the T. States to
become citizens thereby identifying themselves with
the country and all its interest in prosperity and in
adversely; and in becoming citizens they are re-
quired to support the Constitution, and are tied to
this country by the most stringent OATH Here we
see that the naturalization of aliens is a subject del
egated by the States to the United States and that
the laws Of Congress are uniform throughout the
whole of the States and not one word is said Of tue
right of suffrage Now as to the right of suffrage
This is power which the States, each for itself re-
spectively have reserved for their own control -
The Federal government has never claimea nor has
it any right to regulate the right Of voting in the
States. For example, call attention to the fact
that in Virginia, the privilege OF voting has been
three times changed. Under the old consultation a
freehold was necessary to qualify to vote. I'M
der the second constitution freehoder or the head
of family was alone qualified to vote; and under
the present constitution the privilege has been ex-
tended still further All of these changes have
been made by the state, in modifying her constitu
ton without the Federal Government having any
part or lot in the matter. The federal law OF natu
radiation Oh the other hand was not in the least
changed In relation to these two matters the GOV.
eminent move on each in its respective sphere, rs
Independently as planets in their respective orbits
Until the adoption of the present State Constitution
an alien may have become natura,ized citizen and
resided the whole time in Virginia, and yet not en-
titled to vote from the fact that he may not have
had the proper qualification; ard the other
hand in some of The Western and Northern States,
an aian after residence in those States of six or
twelve months may exercise the right of voting and
stn be Fable Of becoming citizen of The United
States So it is plain to be that the privileges
Of voting and naturalization are entirely distinct
and are each regulated by Independent governments.
Some one may suggest that tire Constitution OF the
United States provides for the election of Presi.