True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-13
THE OHIO LEGISLATURE.

which have been introduced 10 the consid-
Grafton Of this body, is ap:oposition SUBJ
miited on the 2sth ult., by Hon. F. L.
Flowers, proposing to relieve the State
Courts from the responsibility of admin
istering the laws of naturalization and
leaving the matter with the General Gov
ernment. TO impose upon the State
Courts the duty Of creating citizens of
the United States is absurd in theory and
injurious in practice. .
BY the present policy, political dema.
gogues are to be found in every section
Of the country who make it a point TO
urge foreigners, Immediately upon their
arriSal smong us, and before they have
any correct knowledge Of, or sympathy
for our institutions, to pres ent their aPpli-
cations for citizenship. The consequence
is that thousands upon thousands who
know but little Of, and care less, for the
institutions of the country are thus hasti-
" placed in positions for which they
have no adequate qualifications.
The hasty manner in which citizenship
is conferred, and the ease by which it
is acquired, is in the estimation of the
civilized nations Of Europe, a burning
shame.
I. is TO be regretted that The following
paragraph from the London Times is to
great extent unqueslionably true:
America is a great Alsatia, in which
political refugees and criminals guilty OF
lesshonorable offences find she tier and
welcome. By the singularity of her law
Of naturalization, the man who entered
her.territory as refugee may, in two or
threeyears aspire to the dignity Of citi-
zen or legislator. Were the English law
similar TO that ofthe States, NJ. Victor
Hugo might now be contesting with Sir
Chas. Napier the representation ofSouth-
wark, and Citizen Pyatt aspiring to be
come the colleague Of Hayter for the bor-
ough Of Wells. Thus it comes to pass
that adventures of every description
French Socialists and Jacobins, Italian
Red Republicans, Hungarians and Poies'
driven into frantic hatred of all govern
menl by Austrian or Russian tyranny
refugees from every country in Europe,
and adyenlu rers, pirates, ant filltbus!ers
from.eyery country in the world, and last
though not leas, our own United i:Ish'
man-all find themselves received init
the governing class, and treated as if
they possessed sympathy for the inter-
ests. and an honest wish for the dignity
and prosperity ofthe great Republic. But
in The votes that they give. the speeches
they deliver, and the parties they form,
these men are really thinking, not of the
country. they have adopted, but of the
land they have lef,-not hoD to benefit
their friends in america, but how 10 re
Ssnge themselves on their enemies in
Europe.
Il is, bat short time since the evil ten.
dency OF our latitudInarian policy upon
this subject became well nighd eveloping
its beautiful practical tendency by the re-
vengeful ness Of P. Soule, Minister tc
Spain. In that controversy which evi
IDENTIFY had its origin in the personal NAL
ice of our Minister towards the Fiencl
and Spanish Governments, our nation
was brought TO the very verge OF eblood!
war with France and Spain. We have
no call for such hol-lleaded. fiery bullie!
to represent our interests and to manage
the affairs Of our. Government either a
home or abroad. But it may be sait
tharthe error is not in the principle bu
In the Ex eculivc in appointing such mel
70 such positions. We reply that this j
she Legitimate consequence of the princi
pie. Ever since " g have had knowledg
Of Til. operations of our Government tn
Executive in comforting his patronage ha
acted npon the principle that 's.he spoil
belong TO, the viclors.' If this be c>'rret
in practice, why then should they not :
fairly divided amongs: the member
Of the victorious parly' l, was upo
this principle that Hon. James Campbell
received his appointment as Postmaste
General Of the United States, and tha
she Post.Oftice department--the most i'm
portant branch of the Government-ha
been placed in the keeping Of the Calho
lie Church. The Catholics became tn
allies Of, The democratic rarty in the las
Presidential contest, and it was therefaI
beexpected that they should derive IA
fair proportion Of the spoils Of victory
Thank God the time is not distar
whsn the American people will wipe III
stain from our nation by taking the man
sgementOf the Government into their ow
hands. Press your proposition, Nj
Flowers, upon The Legislature and suslai
rai A. a fsI f. 400 d N.r y ) a f.