Niagara, for the purpose of connecting Lakes Ontario and Erie.

The public are aware that politicians of both parties have had their attention drawn, by recent occurrences, to the subject of the Naturalization Laws. The opinions of Mr. Hunt have been expressed without reserve. On the 29th of December, 1845, when certain resolutions from the General Assembly of the State of Massachusetts, asking "for such amendments to the Naturalization Laws as would protect the ballot-box and the elective franchise from abuses and frauds" [see title, J. R. INGERSOLL], were under consideration, he thus expressed himself: "He did not doubt that our present naturalization laws are in some respects defective, or that serious abuses exist in their administration. He was convinced that enormous frauds have been perpetrated, as well by conferring the high immunities of citizenship upon those who were not entitled to the privilege under existing laws, as by the usurpation and exercise of the right of suffrage by aliens who have never complied with any of the legal formalities of naturalization; not to speak of colonizing, double voting, and other forms of corruption, which can be reached only by state legislation. He desired to see such a revisal of the code, such new and stringent provisions, as shall effectually prevent these abuses in future, and put an end to the abominable traffic in illegal votes which has become the scourge and disgrace of our larger cities. The evil has arrived at a magnitude so startling, and has of late been marked by such boldness of atrocity, as to call loudly for redress; and nothing less than ample and effective legislation, adapted to the case, affording a remedy which shall renovate the body politic, and stay the progress of corruption, will satisfy the country.

"That abuses exist which demand a corrective will not be denied. In all remedial measures, calculated to eradicate the evils so generally complained of, he was prepared to co-operate, and would proceed as far as those who go farthest. The party with which it was his pride to act in the support of what he conceived to be great national measures and beneficent purposes, are united as one man upon this vital principle of preserving the right of suffrage unprofaned and unpolluted, as the most sacred birthright of a free people. The Whigs of the nation call upon the political majority of this House, on whom rests

the responsibility to guard and defend the elective franchise. Honest men of all parties demand it, whether native or adopted. The adopted citizen who has complied with our laws in good faith, and who desires to identify his personal honor with the welfare of the country, must feel a double motive to protect the privilege of citizenship from unlawful encroachments.

"The resolutions of the Legislature of Massachusetts, which had given rise to this discussion, if he rightly understood them, contemplated nothing more than an inquiry into frauds and abuses, and such legislation as may be necessary to prevent corrupt. and illegal practices. It may be doubted whether any remedy will prove effectual until our courts of justice, to whom is intrusted the administration of the law, shall have been purified of party influences. If there be a character on earth which, more than any other, deserves the execration of God and man, it is a political judge who pollutes the ermine of justice, and prostitutes his sacred functions to the furtherance of party schemes and purposes. I consider it the most deplorable and appalling evil of the time that the unclean spirit of party has been permitted to invade the tribunals of justice, and enter the judgment-seat, to inflame the counsels of sworn judges. As a spectacle, it shocks every virtuous, manly sensibility; as a practice, it is the prolific mother of mischief and corruption. It is undeniable that too many of our courts, in the exercise of this branch of their powers, following the baneful example of other departments of government, have lent themselves to party exigencies, and become part and parcel of the political machinery for controlling and carrying elections. On the eve of important elections, they operate as a party apparatus for the manufacture of a sufficient supply of voters, frequently conferring citizenship without adequate proof, the artful and seeming compliance with forms serving only to aggravate the mockery of substantial law and justice. Unless this profanation of judicial powers is frowned upon by the righteous sentiment of the country, if we have reached that stage of profligacy where partisan courts will be tolerated by popular opinion, then is it time for us as a people to repeat the exclamation, 'We are rotten before we are ripe.'

"But he rejoiced in the conviction that a more healthy tone of public feeling prevails. Notwithstanding the inroads of proffigacy and corruption, a sentiment of virtue pervades the body

of our countrymen which will yet be heard and felt, demanding integrity and fidelity in the discharge of public responsibilities. It will rise above the trammels of party discipline, and visit severe condemnation upon all who seek to gain political or personal ascendency by dishonorable expedients.

"In regard to the particular reference of these resolutions, he had but little to say. He preferred to leave that question to the political majority here, who alone have the power to reform abuses and vindicate the violated sanctity of the elective franchise.

"He regretted that this proposition to prevent frauds and restore the integrity of the ballot-box should have been made the occasion for a discussion of a radical change in the fundamental principle of our system of naturalization. He viewed that as a very different question, and believed the proposed change of system, by which it is intended to exclude foreigners from a participation in the rights of citizenship, would find but little favor, either in this House or the country. He wished to speak with all due respect and kindness of that portion of our citizens who have thought it their duty to form a political association under the designation of Native Americans. To many of them he freely accorded the highest integrity and patriotism of pur

pose.

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"It was unnecessary to say to the representatives here, of that party from his own state, that he entertained toward them personally the most cordial sentiments of friendship and esteem; and, compelled as he was to differ from them, he assured them it was more in sorrow than in anger.' But, in the discussion of important questions, there was but one course for him to pursue compatible with his self-respect and sense of duty; that is, to express his convictions with firmness, sincerity, and independence, without respect to persons or consequences. To the principle which aims to exclude foreigners from citizenship, or to extend the length of previous residence beyond the term now established by law, he was constrained to declare his unquali. fied and irreconcilable hostility. When a great elementary reform is proposed, affecting so vital a right of freeborn men, we are bound to inquire, in a spirit of candor, first, whether the change is desirable; and, in the next place, if desirable, whether it be attainable. Upon either of these tests he considered the plan utterly inadmissible.

"The condition of our country, the nature of our institutions, and the spirit of our people, are all incompatible with an illiberal policy toward emigrants from foreign lands, who seek our shores to better their condition. We are impelled by every generous impulse to embrace them as friends and brothers, instead of repulsing them from us as aliens, unworthy to share the fruits of our glorious political heritage. They come hither as our fathers came, to seek a home for themselves and their posterity. They come to subject themselves to our laws and institutions, to aid us in the work of constitutional liberty and human advancement-in a word, to unite with us in common perils and a common destiny. Why, then, shall we attempt to deprive them of a just and equal participation in the choice of public agents, and the adoption of laws which are no less. applicable to them than to ourselves? A reasonable term of probation, sufficient to test their intentions, to acquaint them with the condition of our affairs and the tendency of measures, to inform them of our laws, manners, and institutions, is undoubtedly requisite; but I believe the term of five years now established is sufficient for these purposes. A prolongation of the period would, in my judgment, produce no mitigation of evils which are justly complained of, and would only serve to inflame discontent, engender discord, and keep alive unnatural and dangerous distinctions. If it be said that foreigners are ignorant, I would inquire if ignorance may not be found among too many of our own American-born people, who participate, by common consent, in the sovereignty of the country? That many emigrants are ignorant is undeniable; but that many of them are fitted by their intelligence for the highest usefulness, is equally certain. If it be said that many of them are factious, let me ask who is more dangerous or more worthy of our denunciation than the domestic demagogue, 'to the manor born,' who seeks to perpetuate and mislead ignorance to his own base uses? Yes, sir, the domestic demagogue, the ever-present curse and foe of all good citizens, whether native or adopted! If it be said that they are poor, it may be replied that poverty is not peculiar to any nation, and it should be the boast of ours that here a broad field is open where honest industry may find a sure reward, and win for itself comfort, independence, and respectability. We all know that many foreigners come among

us poor and needy; but a majority of these, if I may speak from my own observation, bring with them honest hearts, manly resolves, and strong hands, ready to toil and suffer in the pursuit of a virtuous livelihood for themselves and their families.

"Sir, I disdain to employ the language of flattery toward any man or class of men, native or foreign. Instead of addressing them as gods, I have never feared to remind the people of the imperfections which are inseparable to human condition, and to warn them of the dangers to which they are exposed from vice, ignorance, and the seductive arts of party politicians. That the emigrant is exposed, in a peculiar manner, to the wiles of the demagogue, is known to us all. He is too liable to be misled by false aspersions and unmeaning professions. He is soon sought out by that disinterested class of patriots who drive a trade in politics. He is overwhelmed with lavish protestations of generosity, friendship, and devotion; and, to heighten at once his gratitude and wonder, he is assured that a large portion of our countrymen are hostile to liberty, at war with the poor, and intent on establishing the modes of aristocracy and despotism which prevail in the Old World. His mind is inflamed with false prejudices toward his best friends, who are struggling to advance the interests and welfare of all our people, and, enlisted under party colors, he sometimes follows the path which leads to his own destruction. That he should yield to the arts of the seducer is not more strange than that our first mother should have listened to the primitive demagogue who whispered discontent in Paradise. It is to be deplored as a public misfortune, that foreigners, in the morning of their residence here, are exposed to these malign efforts and influences. The responsibility rests, not upon the innocent victims of delusion, but upon the native-born politician who leads them astray. While all good men should regret that the more ignorant portion of our people, native or adopted, are so liable to be misled from their own true happiness by party spirit, it is idle to indulge feelings of petulance or complaint, or to attempt changes which shall exclude any class from a participation in public concerns. It would be equally wise to complain that men are not angels, and abandon the great experi ment of free government.

If it be inquired what is to be done? are the foreigners in