The American patriot., 1856-01-05
Naturalization And The Rights OF suf-
trage.

Among the questions which win be opened
at the approaching session of Congress for
perhaps protracted discussion will be that Of
the Naturalization laws, connected with the
right Of sutlaage as now dispendcd by the States.
1t will, as a party topic supersedc those de-
bates in Congress in relation to our Federal
fand laws which sought to coaciliate foreigners
by offering land without price to strengthen
party attachments 1t is easy to perceive that
those who were ready to give away the public
domain, to secure votes, will be averse to ali
amendment Of our naturalization laws There
IS a natural political affinity between those
who vote homestcads to Foreigners ard such
as would allow them every possible latitude Of
polite privilege. The association OF ideas IS
consequently, easy between the right Of natn-
razation in the States, and the policy which
would sacrifice our entire domain for the sake
of political ascendcncy. This is one Of the
great party issues, then, which is to displace
tariff, internal improvements, national banks,
&c. 1t opens field that is likewise fitted to
exercise the talent for constitutional discus
sions, without which, Congressional debates
want attraction for certain class Of our poll
tieians. The object of the trainers of the con-
sttution, in giving the power to Congress to
frame uniform rules of naturalization, will be
fully cxpounded. The recent heresy that the
State Legislatures are constitutionally permit
ted to admit the rights of citizenship, with the
privilege to vote, after residence for shorter
period than that fixed by Congress, will be
completely exposed
Among all the commentators on the Consti-
ton there is entire uniformity that the power
to natnralize in Congress is not concurrent
Federal Government without objection. There
was no controversy raised on it in the conven-
ton that framed the Constitution. The COM
plication of this power with that comforting suf-
frage by the States, to obtain political influence
has alone in the midst of some confused the
subject There is no question among sound
thinking statesmen but what the right to ma
turalize is exclusive in Congress. But when
cedent, to dispensing the right of suffrage, the
period has been abridged to suit political con-
venience. According to this the privilege ol
voting has been accorded in each and every
State in conformity with its own notions o.
right and expediency. Instead of having a uni
form rule, it may be as diversified as there art
States in number North Carolina passed al
act making one years residence the residen
qualification. Why not one month or one day
: as well as one year? Was this the design o
the Constitution? Evidently not.
The act of naturalization in reality is Ma
tional and not State privilege. lfeven tn
States were disposed to conform their irlegilatiol
on this subject to that of fCongress, the act it
self and the qualifications can alone emanat
from that body. There cannot be two rules
supposing that the period of residence both il
Federal aud State legislation should be precise
: ly the same. Whatever prerequisites, othc
: than residence, Congress may choose to assoc
ate with the grant the privilege is for the ex
n elusive discretion and wisdom of that body
r If it choose to say that the foreigner shall nc
S enjoy privileges unless he can read and writ,
y and furnish testimonials as to character, will
S he pretended that these or other safeguard
a by State legisations II would then I've 2