Washington telegraph., 1856-07-30
The Discussion on the 18th.

questions now Immediately at issue, we
deem it necessary at present, only to refer
to that portion of them relative to the
alteration of the naturalization laws and
his endorsement of Buchanan, the Gin
cinnati Platform and per consequence of
squatter sovereignty. DR.. Mitchell an
nounced himself as the representative of
Col. Warren and as a matter of course may
be supposed to have reflected his views.
Coils Fowler and Warren are opposing
candidates for high and responsible sta
tion- 1t is for the people to express their
choice between them, being fully informed
oftheirrespective opinions on the great ques-
tions of the day First, as to the question
of the extension of the naturalization laws
Col. Fowler endorses the doctrine of the
February Convention and declares that the
necessities of the times, render it impera-
tive upon the American people to alter
and amend the naturalization laws now
existing, In such manner as to make resi-
dence of twenty-one years in this country
requisite to the obtaining of the right of
suffrage by the foreigner hereafter emf
grating to this country 1t is hardly
necessary again to remark in these columns
that the American party as represented by
Col. Fowler aim, in no. respect whatever,
to interfere with the 'svested rights" of
foreigners. The provision which they
propose to incorporate into the national
policy is intended to operate only upon
those hereafter emigrating to these shores.
COL FOwler's opponent as represented by
Dr. Mitchell, contends for the sufficiency
of the existing laws upon the subject of
naturalization The term of five years he
contends is sufficient to enable the foreigner
to acquire such an intimate understand
ing of the nature of our free institutions
as to fit him for an intelligent and patriotic
exercise of the most inestimable political
privilege ever conferred upon mana
privilege around which it is our bounden
duty as freemen to throw every safeguard
which it may be in our power to employ,
in order to preserve its purity and its
blessings intact. Here then is the issue
ON this point. The extension of the nat
uralization laws-or the perpetuation of
the present system We have already
presented some views concerning the ne
cessity of radical change in these laws
in connection with our examination of the
ninth section Of the February Platform,
and it is'a source of no little satisfaction
to US to know that the reasons which we
presented for the opinions which we hold
in this relation, were considered valid by
many members of our party with whom
we have conversed. We have only space
sufficient to refer in the briefest manner
possible to these reasons-and in fact they
may all be summed up in very few words
The annual influx of foreigners to this
country has increased In such ratio with
in the past few years as to have very prop
erly become subject Of the grayest de-
liberation among those, who rising superior
to the artifces and appliances of the dema-
gogue, have considered the subject with
reference to the inevitable influence which
it must exert upon the future destiny Of
this republic and the form of government
under which it is our glorious privilege tC
| live Five hundred thousand human be.
ings alien in sentiment, impulses, faith
manners and customs, annually precipitat
ing themselves upon the shores of this
country, invested by unserupulous and de-
signing political tricksters, with rights
of which, prior to their landing at the port
of entry they never dreamed, and of which
they knew absolutely nothing, is matter
of fact, which considered merely as an
abstraction, deserves and should receive /;
thorough investigation. But, considered
with reference to the fact, that we find the
mass Of the voting portion of this immense
throng, holding peculiar views, inimical te
our free institutions and subversiye of oul
acknowledged rights; contending il
leagued and organized bodies, for the
abolition of the system of human slavery
declaring openly their intention to labor
to effect the ends at which they aim; theil
purpose and determination to vote only foI
such men as will favor their designs ant
assist in their execution; and further con
sldered In view of the incontrovertibl,
fact that in very many districts they holc
the balance of power and have it within
the scope of their ability in few month.
to people territory with sufficient mum
bers to demand State constitution, ant
so to shape the political complexion of theil
delegations to Congress as to throw vas
and powerful influence into the scale il
which treason and fanaticism are weighed
against patriotism and love for and dut,
.