Mr. Stone had no doubt but an alien might be admitted to the rights of citizenship, step by step; but he questioned the power of the House to say that a man shall be citizen for certain purposes, as it respects the individual State Governments; he concluded that the laws and constitutions of the States, and the constitution and laws of the United States would trace out the steps by which they should acquire certain degrees of citizenship. Congress may point out a uniform rule of naturalization; but cannot say what shall be the effect of that naturalization, as it respects the particular States. Congress cannot say that foreigners, naturalized under a general law, shall be entitled to privileges which the States withhold from native citizens.
Mr. Boudinot.—An exchange of sentiment on this floor I find always tends to throw more light on a subject than is generally to be obtained in any other way. But, as the subject is not yet fully elucidated, I shall be in favor of letting it remain undecided till to-morrow, for which reason, I move the committee to rise.
This motion being put, the committee rose, and reported progress, after which the House adjourned.
Tuesday, February 4.
Rule of Naturalization.
The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the naturalization bill, Mr. Baldwin in the chair.
Mr. Tucker's motion was still before the committee.
The committee being about to take a question on the motion,
Mr. Page wished it delayed until he saw the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Burke) in his place.
Mr. Smith (of S. C.) said, he believed the object of his colleague was nothing more than to let foreigners, on easy terms, be admitted to hold lands; that this object could be better effected by introducing a clause to that purpose, and he had no doubt but it would be equally satisfactory to his colleague.