Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-05-04

who solicited their opinion, which, we doubt
not, is entirely satisfactory. The letter from
Gov. Chase and the communication ofthe Com
mittee are subjoined;-Sa Sandusky Register.
' CoLUMBUs, April 81, 1859.
GENTLEMEN The first meeting of the Re-
publican State Central Committee since re-
ceiyed your esteemed letter Of the 9th inst, was
held yesterday am not a member Of that
Committee and obvious considerations of pro-
priety restrain me from taking part in its con-
sutatlons, unless specially invited to do SO. 1t
seemed to me, therefore, that / should best full
I'll your wishes, by submitting your letter direct
ly to their consideration, through their Chair
man This l did at the earliest opportunity
and am informed that the letter received their
most respectful consideration, and that their
Secretary was instructed to communicate to you
their views in reply to it.
If they do not comply precisely with your re.
quest by addressing direct Temonstrance to the
Republicans of Massachusetts, against the adop.
ton of the proposed amendment of tie Consti-
tuition Of that State, denying to naturaIized cti-
zens the right of suffrage until two years after
naturalization, it will be, am quito sure, be-
cause they do not ieel themselves warranted in
so doing by the nature of the powers delegated
! to them as a Committee, and because they APP
preheud that interference, by the Republicans
of Ohio, with a question which the people of
| Massachusetts only can decide may, very pos
sibly, do more harm than good. am very con-
| hdent that the Committee concur fully in the
almost, if not entirely, unanimous Republican
| opinion in this State that no discrimination
should be made by amendment of State Con-
stitution or otherwise between citizens of for
! eign and citizens of native birth.
| Such has always been my own opinion !
was therefore opposed, as is well known, to the
! proposition urged upon tie consideration of our
Legislature some two or three years ago. for
| the Incorporation, by amendment, into our State
| Constitution, OF provision similar to that pro-
posed in Massachusetts, requiring one years
residence only after naturalization instead of
two. That proposition failed TO obtain the
sanction of the General Assembly, and | have
been gratiied by assurances, since received,
even from its prominent advocates, Of entire
satisfaction with that result.
1t is, indeed, due to these gentlemen to say,
that their support of the proposition was
prompted by no liberal hostility towards our
immigrant population. but by sincere and hOn-
est desire to remedy admitted abuses of the
naturalization laws; chief among which is hur-
ried and careless naturalzations on the very
eve OF important elections, leading, almost in.
evitably, to corrupt practices, deprecated alike
| by all good citizens whether OF native or for
eign birth.
TO find a remedy for these abuses is a worthy
| purpose, and one in which adopted and native
citizens, sincerely desirous to remove Just cause
Of complaint without prejudice TO the rights or
offence TO the sentiments of either class, may
well join with equal zeal.
Confident that such remedy may be found,
il sought honestly, and in just and liberal
spirit, have constantly endeavored TO reconcile
rather an exasperate differences concerning
the naturalization question, as well as concern
ing every other, between citizens of whatever
| origin engaged on the same side in the moment
| GUS contest now in progress between Freedom
aud Despotism Reform and mal-Ad-
ministratiOn. And l am gratihed to know that
| IN Ohio these differences have almost--if not
wholly-disappeare
Naturalzed and native citizens now generally
agree that the evil chiefly complained of can be
satisfactorily remedied by such change 10 the
law as will provide for naturalization after three
instead of five years residence, aud for the is
sue at that time of certificates comforting ali
rights of citizens, except suffrage, Immediately,
and that right, also, alter two years longer res
idence, making five years residence in all, as
now. No one doubts, l think, that some such
provision, remedyng efTectually the alleged
evil, by interposing a considerable period be
tween the issuing of the certificate of naturali-
zatiOn and the accruing of the right of suffrage
under it, and yet enlarging instead of abridging
the privileges now enjoyed by immigrants, is
much better than any amendment of the State
| Constitution.
Agreement in this view, aud in the still more
general opinion that no change either of law
or constitutions, which does not commend itself
to intelligent and patriotic men, whether inn
migrants or natives should be attempted, be.
cause no such change can be really beneficial,
has given us harmony, strength, and victory in
! Ohio. l earnestly hopetha nothing may here
after occur to interrupt the good feeling which
now prevails
Indebted as / am to my naturalized fellow
citizens for generous confidence and earnest
support, and having witnessed the noble ardor
with which, in disregard of all mere party ties,
they have opposed the aggressions of the Slave
power, in the repeal of the Missouri PrOhihi-
| ton aud in the Dred Scot decision and the
mqgnanimous enthusiasm with which they
have united in our own State at the recent olep.
tions, with their American brethren on the ga.
cred side of Freedom an Reform l cannot but
feel myself bound, by every obligation of duty
| and honor, 10 oppose earnestly aud persistent
ly, every attempt 10 impair any right or abrdge
any privilege now enjoyed by them or by their
fellow immigrants,
With great respect | remain, gentlemen,
Your friend aud fellow citizen,
| s. p CHASE