The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1867-01-31
RANDOsr THOUGHTS NO. s.
hY THE EDITOR.

Tam we'll aware Of tho difficulties have to en-
counter 10 set people to reason about a matter
that Is contrary to popular opinion, as established
by long course Of education. have long held
that there should be no dstlnction in the idrs,
account OF race or color To some extent, the
people of this country are beginning to see the
justice, proprlety and expediency of this. All |
that Is needed ID a thorough discussion. Ipropose
now. only TO throw out few hints, to set people |
to thinking upon the matter. --
And tirst, as to my proposition that all actual
residents, who have arrived at the aye of majority
should vote. man who Is born in another
country comes here to stay. He brings his fami- |
ly, bis property, and casts his lot among US. He
does this from choice, and not from necessity. as
does the native born American. What merit Is |
there in being citizen Of the United States, on
account of birth, when we have no way of helping
ourselvess But the foreign immigrant is a resi- |
dent here from choice and because be loves our |
country, and tsiorm Of Government. Headds to
the strength of or Government whatever hemay |
possess Of wealth, talent or industry. Why |
should he not, when he becomes resident also
become citizen 1t Itisdsngerous to keep a large
population of aliens among US. The number Of
healthy able bodied men who annually come to
this country, and who have to remain five years
before becoming citizens, would make an i'm
mense army. They cannot be called upon TO
helm defend the country. They came here to be
our friends, bat they are treatedss enemies. The
theory Of the law of nations is that when two ma
tlons 90 TO war all the inhabitants composing the
two nations are enemies, and we would have the
right If wat should break out with Great Britain,
TO seize and cOnhscate all the property Of every
Englishman, Scot. Welshman and Irishmal In
this country, who had not resided here five yeara,
and then been naturalized. know that this law
Of nations Is not enforced but yet Il is the law.
The large number Of aliens in this country who
are serving out their i've Years probation, should
be made friend and allies at once, or rather they
should be made part OF the great American nation
at once It's dangerous to have q large alien
population, even as friends; how much more
dangerous to have them as enemies by treating
them as such, when they may OF any time become
legally such, Joy an act Of war between this coun-
try and their native land, know that European
nations hold that citizen cannot expatFiate him
SELF or abjure his allegiance to his native country;
but our Government has long ago discarded this
! theory and has 30 acted In several cases. as for
: instance, the case OF Martin Kozta, 10 which Aus
tria was Informed by Daniel Webster, as secreta-
ry Of State, that a mere patch upon the earth's
surface as Austria would appear, when compared
with the United States could not be permitted to
claim any allegiance from our adopted citizens,
but that they would be protested In every land,
by all the powers Of this nation tuad t.i I'd
The foreigner is subject 70 the criminal laws Of
this country, and must abide their penalties. Yet
he has no voice In the enactment Of those laws,
He cannot be tried by his peers, because no for
! egner can sit upon jury. Is this fair, or even
honest3 r.
The foreigner is taxed 10 support this Govern.
ment but be ls taxed without representation, as
he cannot vote, nor hold office. Isthis fair and
II honcst7 7ibl1oH 1871 ti o'oHJ 5h i' ~
The great objection to foreigners voting ls, that
they do not understand the theory Of our Govern
ment and must remain here five years TO learn.
do not consider that there s much IN this objec-
ton. Take all the men over twsnty-one years Of
age who arrived lp the United States last year,
and take an equal number Of native born citizens,
taking all as they come, 10 given extent of coun-
try, aud doubt II the foreigners do not give as
! intelligent answers TO questions about our Gov
eminent as do the native born, have heard
school teachers examined In reference to our
Government, and their answers were not moro
satisfactory than would be those Of the better edu!
/ Gated pOrliOno of Immigrants. This test Of intel
:. lgence will not do. No doubt Jefferson Davis
and A. II. Stephens oughtto know q great deal
about our form Of Governments but who would
not rather trust to the votes Of Patrick oFlaher-
/, ty or John Jones. ga rsUV' f' Uyt- a.
It may be said that before foreigners Is natural
lied he mnst prove that he sustaIns good mora
character and Is attached to the pr.hclpIes of thli
i Government This Il true but ! win ask, who
ever saw foreigner rejected because be failed "a
e prove these thIngsF have had scores of men, Of
different nAtionalILes natufalzed, and have seen
a hundreds naturAlIzed, and ! have yet 10 see Ont
who was rejected because he filled In his proc
upon these points. have seen some rejected fol
want of proof as 70 the tins Of their residence 10
this country, but never 90 the other and mort
important grounds.
1t lie said that naturallzed foreigners generally
vote wrong--geneTally vote the Democratic, rebe
Q ticket, end the City Of New York Is given IS !
case in point, This Is true Of that City, because
ell the trash Of the foreign population grAvltatei
. there. But 80 among the Welshisnd Dutch far
l mers, end yon will see different state Of things
l 10 our own county, the Welsh in the southerr
townships, are NIL that save US from rebel rule
II Il were not for the Dutch IN the town of Jack
son, Lick township would be rebel. But this !
/, not the question, We have norlght to ask Aoa
man wiD vote, but has he righ 10 vote.
despIse this eternal question Of expedlency
. When viii men learn that the right Is aiOoys sx
!, pedlentY '0 I'M.