Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-19
October term, 1854.

! There are among the witnesses but three native
born .4D,eriean citizens, and, with but three or
four exceptions so far an can ascertain, the per
sons applying for naturalization. and the witnesses
are Roman Cathoiics. Here is presented briei
history Of the process Of naturalization under the
existing laws. Naturalization, foreignism, and Ca
tholicism, seem to be intimately interviewer with
each other but there another lesson taught by
examination of this list The American party claim
that Che influence Of foreigners is sufficient to de-
eide the political result in the elections The anti
American deny It. Here is positive proof Of the
utter falsity Of this denial. Here are foreign
votes claimed, sufficient to have decided the con.
test between the contestant and the sitti,g mem
Der. Here are men, claiming to be Americans
| TO be nufive Americans admitting and contend
ing for the political power and influence of for.
eigners Two of these rejected voters are govern.
ment mployees--ofice-holde under the present
administration, and were such long before they
were naturalized; one has been recommended by an
ofiice-hoder a fit recipient Of official patronage
because Of his anti othng proclivities, and
Is now an inmate Of the penitentiary department
OF the workhouse, because Of his drunken procliv
ties. All claim to be residents Of the Fifth Ward
yet, after frequent inquiry have failed to ascer
tain the whereabouts Of but small portion o.
them. is sos 80
These are the individuals whose afidavits have
been fled. The magistrate certifying to these aif
davits Is also an oiHceholder. Let us examine
| them. They are all printed. The gentleman Mr.
Miller1 making the minority report charges the
majority with pre-arranged determination TO re
| port in favor Of the sitting member. / might will
equal justce, and much more plausibility, chargr
the parties contesting with having had these aifi
davits printed as they are, because Of pre-deter
mination 20 have the testimony to suit their owI
purposes. find in all these affidavits the words
personally known 10 me.n ! will venture the AZ
sertion that the magistrate before whom these in
| dividuals appeared, did not, and does not now
know one-third Of them. Afew days since, / CAV,
to apotcal friend list Of half the Names request
| ing him to show them TO the magistrate, and asl
him Il he knew them. The justice had not tn,
shghtest knowledge OF aly one Of them, yet a few
| sonay known to him.
In the examination of the afidayits fled by tn,
contestant from the Fourth wafd, we find tina
some seven or eight have sworn that they were
and that they we're not registered; several hav,
sworn they were registered, though their name
are not 70 be found on the register; others hav,
sworn that they were not registered, yet thei
names are on the register. Many have sworn the,
paid the school tax, yet there is no evidence II
the Collectors Office Of it's payment; and a few
have sworn that they had not paid this tar, ye
tne US WIN tne eNtuenCt
Of its payment. There are four afiidavits bearing
the same name; several without any date; and il
none Is the name written by the individual him
self All are certified to by most excellent Anti
Know Nothing magistrate. Such Is the testimony
presented here TO sustain an individual seeking
seat in this Board.
Such are the American citizens about WHOSE
rights the gentleman from the Second Ward (Dr
Miller) manifests 80 much soicitude. Such are tn,
American citizens 10 whom, says the gentleman
the dearest privilege Of American citizenship ba,
been denied. He thinks the Constitution has beer
violated, and the laws set at naught because these
seventeen American citizens we're not permitted al
the late election to exercise the elective franchise
Naturalization does net carry with II the right "a
vote nor Ia the right TO vote either natural or an
Inherent right lei sfrsnchise--which is grant
But says the learned gentleman, II these american
citizens are not permitted TO be American citizens
until one year has elapsed after their nstursliza
tion the Constitution and the law IL violated be-
csnss they would then have 70 reside here six years
instesd of I'VE; hut, sir, naturalization does not
carry With II the right 10 vote There are quali6ca-
tons which the nsturalized citizen must possess