Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-30

neser ought TO be-and evidence Is taken Of
an applicants fitness for the duties of an
AMERICAN Citizen and of his attachment to the
American Constitution, from the mouth Of
aliens, who perhaps neyer saw America before
then.
On the whole there is a fatdficfity even for
the honest and bona tide immigrant. And
when besides this, you consider the immense
infusion of pauperism and crime IL will become
apparent that the United States is III danger Of
being made the common almshousc retagiuae
peccatouum and final colony Of the world.
S)me Of the facts here stated by Mr.. Nit
chell we know personally to be true. At one
time some twelve or fifteen criminals were
brought from Bermuda to the port of Balti-
more in irons, their letters being taken off
little below Fort McHenry Complaint was
made to government on this subject by the
then Mayor of the city General Sam'l Smith)
but nothing was done and the convicts were
permitted to land, and are no doubt, at this
time, voting citizens of Baltimore. We also
know Bremen vessels to bring and empty upon
our shores, cargoes of paupcrs, who in one
hour afterwards were on their way to the aims
house. We have stated these facts repeatedly,
and endeavored to enlist the feelings of pride
and selfrespect against such proceedings, but
in vain. We hope that those who have re-
fused to listen to us, will pay respect to the
facts stated by Mr.. Mitchell. He says, truly,
that it is as important to the adopted as to the
native citizen, to have this infamous system Of
transporting convcts and paupers to our shores,
abolished. But Congress seems to view this
subject with stoical indifference, as though
members thought that these classes of Euro
pean immigrants were good enough associates
for an American community. We think that we
have murderers robbers and paupers enough
in the country, without having the inmates Of
the jails and peor-houses of Europe annually
sent here, to increase crime and misery.
Mr.. Mitchell speaks out upon this subject as
every American citizen ought to speak, who
desires to preserve the character of-the nation.
1t is too bad that our country should be made
the depository of the crime and pauperism Of
Europe Convicts and paupers should not be
permitted to land upon our shores. They are
the excrescence of foreign population, and
should be kept at home. They come here,
corrupt our youth and live at our expense
and we have not the selfrespect or good sense
to prevent the outrage. We really hope that
Congress will take this matter into serious
consideration, and endeavor to apply remedy.
No foreigner should be permitted to come to
this country without bringing consular GER
tifcate of good character This would proba-
bly, put an end to the sending over of crimi-
nals-and as to paupers, owners or consignees
Of vessels should be prohibited, under severe
penalty, from bringing them here. If to this
be added naturalization law more strict in its
terms, and the period of probation extended to
twenty -one years, we should soon see the bene-
fetal effects. We cannot, therefore, agree with
Mr. Mitchell when he asserts that the period
Of five years is long enough to enable any man
to become acquainted with the nature of our
institutions. Some immigrants require long
er time to learn to read or speak the English
language.-O Clipper
DR.. VIM. d. McElheny, surgeon of Walk