WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
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are ever done. There might be some particular instances, though I make no particular allusions. I am now going to touch on the naturalization laws. It is said that General Washington was in favor of extending the length of time of naturalization, but that Thomas Jefferson, the Father of the Democratic party, reduced it to five years. Jefferson lived long enough after he retired from office, however, to have time to reflect upon the influence that immigration would have upon our free institutions; and exercising the observation of his saga- cious mind, he declared that he wished "there was an ocean of fire between this country and the old world!" Did that look like wishing to assist emigration? I presume that the number of emi- grants in the days of Jefferson annually did not exceed three thousand-now, five hundred thousand arrive annually on our shores-a mere drop in the bucket then to what it is now. They do not come here of their own accord, prompted by a spirit of enterprise, but they are sent here by European governments, vessels being chartered for their transportation, and their passage paid. Yes, my fellow-citizens, vessels are chartered to convey paupers and criminals from European prisons and poorhouses to this country, and we welcome them and receive them on terms of equality with Americans. What is the character of those who come here now? Do they come here prepossessed in favor of our free institutions, or do they come here prejudiced against them? Is there not danger of creating a preponderance of for- eign influence against our country, that will finally subvert our free system of government? They are arriving at the North at the rate of five hundred thousand annually. Every census shows that this immigration brings into the Senate four additional mem- bers who will operate against the South. The whole government will finally be thrown directly into the hands of the North. Every five years they will increase their number of Representatives in Congress from ten to twelve. It is to the interest of the South to extend the period of naturalization. Ninety-nine hundredths of those who come to our shores are violently opposed to slavery. They are strong advocates of free soil. It is our duty and to our interest to increase the period of naturalization. My fellow- citizens, I stand arraigned by the bombshell democracy as the reviler of Mr. Pierce. I wish it to be distinctly understood that I have never asserted that he was not a gentleman; that he did not keep his hair beautifully brushed, pomatumed and cologned; that he did not wear the prettiest boot on the prettiest little foot
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