Alexandria Gazette

CORPORATION DINNER - The following toast was offered at the Corporation dinner on the Fourth of July, and hissed down by the foreign influence which predominated on that occasion.

By H. Leibenau. - "The day we celebrate, the Sixtieth Anniversary of our Independence. At sixty years of age, we ought to be able to take care of ourselves without foreign dictation."

It may not probably be the fault of our foreign population that they are so powerful, and that they feel and exercise their power and make us Americans feel it. We must discard the nonsensical belief in our Independence as Americans. This government is under foreign control - the immense influx of foreigners who almost immediately on their arrival are admitted to the right of voting - control the elections of this city. We speak within bounds when we say that seven thousand votes are of foreign origin, and one half are illegally obtained.

A feeble attempt was made at a late period of the session to alter our naturalization laws, which of course was opposed by the foreign influence in the house; but at the next session it will be done, and done by acclamation. Common safety requires it; ordinary prudence calls for it; the alarming influx of 300,000 aliens annually, demands it. A naturalization law which was made for a population of five millions, is not applicable to one of 15,000,000, and the right to vote at an election and designate our rulers, should never hereafter be given to any alien short of 21 years residence in our country. Every other right, every other privilege, we willingly would concede to them immediately on landing. If our sons cannot vote until they are 21 - the very blood of the soil, why should a stranger have that inestimable privilege a short period after his arrival. The reform must be carried out, and that quickly. - N. Y. Star.