New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-27
WHO ARE TIE TRUE FRIENDS OF THE
ALIEN?

WHO ARE TIE TRUE FRIENDS OF TIE
| ALIEN?
The REPUBLICAN first published the
fact that there were in 1870 some $1,000
males above the age Of twenty-one, resi-
dent in Louisiana, who could neither
vote uor be compelled to bear arms.
This naturally created stir among per
sons of this class. The REPUBLICAN also
explained that those aliens who had
borne arms in the late instruction had
violated the laws and treaties OF nel1'
trality-were, in fact, flibusters, and
might be extradicted if our government
should take steps against such ignorant
or misguided men. The effect OF this
warming was to crowd the regis
tration with alien applicants whose
numbers range from 1900 to 6oOo, &C.
! cording to various estimates. Now, as
the whole foreign immigration which ar
rived and remained in Louisiana last year
was not 1900 men, women and children,
it is reasonable to suppose that the aliens
who have attempted to naturalize IN the
| Second District Court were composed
largely of those to whom we have referred,
and that they had wisely as well as honor
| ably determined to take upon themselves
the responsibilities as we'll as the rights
Of American citizenship. We welcome
them most cordially. We congratu-
late every accession of labor, Of
capital, of enterprise, Of intelligence.
They could not fall upon soil
more fertile or condition of greater
demand. 1t is very great misfortune
though by no means irreparable-
they were ,nisled by the advice of the at
torneys for the White League, who are OF
opinion that a small court where they
prove wills and take out letters of admin
istration is such a tribunal as that which
Congress requires to authenticate the
solemn act OF renouncing the allegiance Of
a subject and assuming the rights of a re-
publican citizen, the power of divesting
the servitude Of subject being impossi-
BILE under the imperial code Of civil law.
1t is, however, perfectly congenial to the
common law. So our alien friends, many
of whom would have voted the Republi-
can ticket, have been, by the unsound
advice of the attorneys Of the White
League, deprived of the immediate
rights Of American citizens. They
will in effect have arrived little
too late for this election. But
what of that? They can readily correct
this disappointment by fling their dec
laration in the proper court having COM
mon law jurisdiction. A few weeks more
or less can make very little difference to
them or to their children now domiciled
here with the purpose of permanent resi-
dence. They will be perfectly safe under
the bird and egis of American freedom, SO
long-and we hope it will not be long-as
they continue in their present posision.
We know our alien friends will be un-
der the deepest obligations to Attorney
General Field. Suppose they continued
to register in an illegal and irregular man
ner, as many Of their predecessors may
have done? It is said that all acts of
deed or will-all public service might be
impugned on the ground that their let
tiers of naturalization are imperfect. The
attorneys for the White League would be
obliged to make this very
point for any foreign claimant who might |
be estopped of claiming by direct or col
lateral connection with any such alien de- !
scendant. Indeed, it may be worthy the |
care of our Republican representatives in !
Congress to pass an act curing. so far as
that may legally be done, all former |
declarants in the Second District Court. !
But the Republican party has been the !
constant and truest friend of the alien.
The law of 1902 was passed under the
Of the Republican Jeffer-
son. It was the Republican W. H. Seward |
who brought forward and passed the |
homestead bill under which the whole |
Northwestern territory has been opened !
IN free gift to the alien. 1t may be found
hat many of these gentlemen SO keenly
alive to the rights of the alien were among
hose who. as ''Know.Nothings." merely
ried American citizenship by the ties. Of
;he tongue.
The Republican party will. however.
continue to pursue its early and liberal
policy toward immigrants. It will offer
he free homes of the republic to all who
nay migrate or immigrate into Louisiana,
without regard to the'color, previous con-
lition or nationality of the person.
The Republicans have, therefore, given
free home to the oppressed Of all nations.
They have also published an authoritative
lecision which, while it will postpone and
ose to our ticket the suffrage of some of
ur alien friends, will give them a guaran-
ee that when they do complete their citi-
enship, neither their rights of suffrage
Ior their rights of property can ever be
allied in question. Are not the Repub.
leans, therefore, the truest and best
riends of the naturalized citizens |
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