The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-02-28
THE JUDGE WAS RIGHT.

Judge SOLDIERS, of Cleveland, is just |
now being 'hauled over the Goals" by a
certain part of the press of the country.
A Scottish-born resident of the city
named recently applied to the judge to be
naturaliZed. SOLDIERS questioned the ap-
plicant IN the regular way, and among other
things asked him as to the length of the
United States Senatorial term. The man
could not tell, and it further transpired
that he had never read the constitution. The
Judge thereupon refused to confer certi
ticate of citizenship. His honor quoted
from the law that cit shall be made
to appear to the satisfaction of
the court that the alien seeking
naturalization is attached to the principles
of the constitution of the United States"
and asked 'How can man be supposed
to be attached to the principles of our con-
stitution if he has never read it!"
The newspapers are telling Judge Sol
DERs that he did wrong in refusing to natu-
ralize the man who, it seems, is worthy
person. 1t is asserted that the coming here
Of an alien presupposes devotion to the
principles of the constitution. IL is also
said that thous ands of foreigners who had
never read the constitution showed their
devotion to the government during the war
by fighting for the republic, and it is fur
her alleged, with too much truth we fear,
hat very considerable percentage of
American bonn men have never read the
.onstitut ton.
And yet we believe Judge SOLDIERS did
precisely right in denying citizenship to
The alien. The judge was sustained by the
law and by common sense as well. That
Americans have not read the constitution
cuts no figure in the case. 1t is simply dis
graceful so far as the Americans are con
cerned. Whether or not the native borr
person has read the constitution he i:
necessarily more or less familiar with it:
principles and is devoted to the govern
ment. The foreigner must learn VIVA
those principles are before he can know
whether or not he approves them; he mus
understand the general theory of the gov
eminent before he can conscientious,
swear that he believes in the republic an,
will sustain it.
The fact is, there has been and is to
much looseness in this matter of natural
cation. 1t is assumed by too many judge
that the circumstance of an aliens applies
lion for naturalization is sufficient an
conclusive evidence that the man will max
good citizen. Ignorance of the characte
of the government and of the duties Of th
citizen is not thought to be disgualifics
ton. The result is that hundreds an
thousands of men who know no nor
about the theory of the republic than the
do Of geometry or the confucian theology
are enjoying all the rights and privilege
If citizenship, equally with tn
aative-born citizen and the foreigne
who came here because he love
democracy and wanted to live in govern
ment of the people. II is little enough
ask of an alien in return for American CT,
.enship that he shall acquaint himself wit
she theory ef the republic and make hir
selfsomewhat familiar with the fundame
tai law of the nation. If he will not
this. it should be conclusive evidence tn
ne didn't come here because he was in To-
With American institutions. but rather tn
ne might get more money for his labor,
because he would not be permitted to Ii
In his native country.