Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-05-26
MaseachUseafs NaerraslZaakon
Law,

HaHSS1cmUsSagS Naturalization
Law.
Our neighbof of the Alleganian Seems b
be o little OF, Of humor with us, for not no.
tiCBg bis article Of the 18th inst, in refer
snee to the amendment Of the Massachusetts
Consultation, and charges us with want Of
courtesy. We assure our friend that nothing
vas farther from our purpose, for of al. things
connected with our editorial career, we are
anxious to maintain y courteous bearing to-
wards cur editorial brethren Being in fault
in this Instance VIC beg our ncighbors par
has imposed upon US. The Alleganian cha
racteriges the action Of the people Of Massa-
rhusctts, by which they have altered their
Constitution, a "Dc'arous scheme Of prcscrip-
ton, simply, because it requires 4 residence
OF two years. after naturalization, before the
naturalizcd citizen has permission 10 exercise
the elective franchise This feature of Mas
-achusetts law, !. but in keeping with the
spi,it OF the law in nearly every State il tie
Union. Virginia, that great exponent Of
Democracy, requires q residence Of two years
before the inhabtant Of another State shall
have the privilege Of a e, IN her bounds,
end her own native citizens, when moving
from one county to another have to pass n
probation of twelve months. In our own
State, a twelve months residence is requisite
upon the part of citizen of another State
before he has the right Of the elective fran
chisc. and six months is requisite in moving
from one county to another. Can 1t then be
thought hardship, that a na.uralized citizen,
man reared in foreign cline, under an
entirely different form of government, should
be required, after becoming a citizen to pass
prol alton of two years before exercising
the highest prerogative Of citizenship? In
our opinion right thinking men will not say
SO. But We have question to PROFOUND to
our neighbor. Does he favor repeal OF the
naturalization laws? If not, why may not
probation be required after as well as be-
tore naturalization without being obnoxious
10 the charge of prescription? II our neigh
her is for equal rights and equal privileges, >
and if he IS anxious to be considered the cl-
o4Uent advocate Of the rights Of foreigners,
will he inform lis if he will favor a Change
in the Constitution of tho United States So
MS to render foreign born citizen eligible to
the Presidency If not, what becomes of his
equal rights and privileges ?" Is not the
foreigner NJ patriotic rs the native? Does lie
not love the country of bis adoption with
an ardor that would lead bin to put forth
his very best efforts to pcrpctuatc the gov
srnment, and secure DIR liberties? Then
should he be subject to an unequal law" that
dePlives him OF the enjoyment of an equal
privilege with the native bonn citizen p
The fact is the Alleganian's editorial is all
balderdash, put forth for effect. We APP
prove the action of the people of Maasacht,-
setts. inasmuch, MS we believe that it will op-
crate to the purity Of the ballet boy, and
will be stumbling block in the way Of po-
lt;cal ?emagogues. But our ncishbor it
reems is not well posted IN this subject, Or
perhaps lie would not be 50 persistent in his
demand upon us to answer lis question, nor
would lie have been so prompt to pronounce
the action of the people of Massachusetts as
"a nefarioua' scheme Of prescription" We
will inform Our neighbor that la% precisely
similar in all respects TO chat recently en-
grated upon the Constitution Of Mas.achu-
sets, was passed by the Legislator, If that
good old democratic State Of South Catolna,
in the winter Of $3.50, and is at This res
teut writing in full force in that comt.5n-
wealth. II appears then that it has taken
tho Americans AID Republicans three wears
TO ovcrtakc tie democracy in this rncc, and
as soon as they come abreast with t,.em, in
holy horror lie A!rganian cries out, "nefa-
rious scheme Of prescription" The truth is,
that while the Americana and Republicans
have been talking about what they would do,
the Democrac.' iare done what they said they
would not DO. The sham Democracy is all
deception. 1t huneyfuggles the foreigner un-
ill it secures his confidence and his vote and
then having no more service for him, it be-
Genes reckless to Lis interests and imposes
upon him liabilities with spirit Of haste to
which the American party is a stranger The
Americans avow their purposes openly, and
abovcboard, and when the foreigner acts
with them he is not deceived, but is dealt
with fairly and honorably. We will there
fore return the compliment of our neshbor
by calling his attention to the admonition
furnished u.s. that people living In glass
houses should DO careful how they throw
stones