The Athens Post

MR. CALHOUN ON KNOW NOTHINGISM.
We find in the Nashville (Tenn.) Gazette, of the 19th ult., the annexed extract from a speech of the illustrious Carolina Statesman, which bears directly upon an important principle now advocated by the American party:
Calhoun's Sentiments about Foreigners.
–The extract below from the speech of Mr. Calhoun upon the question of admitting Michigan into the Union, contains as full an endorsement of that portion of the American platform referring to foreigners as could have been desired, and just such a one as would have been expected from a mind like that of the great South Carolinian. The publication and dissemination of that endorsement will have a profound effect in the South. Mr. Calhoun, in the extract referred to, distinctly outlines the evils attendant upon the comparatively unrestricted system of American naturalization–especially in the States–and vividly portrays the dire dangers to the Republic which may proceed from this source. In order that no one may fail to see and understand the recorded sentiments of that great, and good, and true Southern man, we reproduce the extract here, entire. Let every patriot read and digest it thoroughly; and henceforth let Southern skeptics cease their cry that "there is no danger," and their prating about "peace! when there is no peace."
"In conferring the power to pass uniform laws of naturalization," says Mr. Calhoun, "the framers of the constitution must have had two objects in view: one to prevent competition between the States in holding out inducements for the emigration of foreigners and the other to prevent their improper influence over the General Government through such States as might naturalize foreigners, and could confer on them the right of exercising the elective franchise, before they could be sufficiently informed of the nature of our institutions, or were interested in their preservation. Both of these objects would be defeated, if the States may confer on aliens the right of voting and the other privileges belonging to citizens. On that supposition, it would be almost impossible to conceive what good could be obtained or evil prevented by conferring the power on Congress. The power would be perfectly nugatory. A State might hold out every improper inducement to emigration, as freely as if the power did not exist; and might confer on the alien all the political privileges belonging to a native born citizen; not only to the great injury of the government of the States but to an improper control over the Government of the Union. To illustrate what I have said, suppose the dominant party in New York, finding political power about to depart from them, should, to maintain their ascendency, extend the right of suffrage to the thousands of aliens of every language and from every portion of the world, that annually pour into her emporium–how deeply might the destiny of the whole Union be affected by such a measure.– It might, in fact, place the control over the General Government in the hands of those who know nothing of our institutions and are indifferent as to the interests of our country. New York gives about one-sixth of the electoral votes in the choice of President and Vice President; and it is well known that her political institutions keep the State nearly equally divided into two great political parties. The addition of a few thousand votes either way might turn the scale, and the electors might, in fact, owe their election, on the supposition, to unnaturalized foreigners. The Presidential election might depend on the electoral vote of the State, and a President be chosen in reality by them; THAT IS, THEY MIGHT GIVE US A KING!"