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mercial relations and constant communication between them, are soon prepared to participate in the affairs of their adopted country. The mass of them are the descendants of English, Irish, and Scotch, who have settled in these provinces. They are no more English than if they had never heard of the British Empire. They soon become naturalized citizens, and enter into the politics and the general interest of the country. They are soon absorbed in the American element, and after a few years' residence, cannot be distinguished from the native born. They are generally active, energetic, and industrious, and in business pursuits are not behind any class of people in the Republic.

French.-Next in numbers to the British Americans come the French. In 1860 they numbered 109,870. What has been said politically of the English in America, can be said of the French. They carry with them their vivacity and sparkling champagne; they long retain their native language, and in many instances utterly refuse to adulterate it with the smallest particle of English. They rarely become naturalized, and take but little interest in politics; seldom engage in agriculture, but confine themselves chiefly to the cities and towns, where they engage in mercantile or other pursuits, always keeping within the line of goods. manufactured in their own country, if possible, if in trade. They have their own hotels and places of amusement and resort; have their "French dinners," at which they smoke choice cigars and drink champagne alternately, amid a continuous clatter of tongues and physical gesticulations peculiar to the French language. They rarely intermarry with Americans or other foreigners, and profess to know but little of the political affairs of their adopted country. Frenchmen

may glory in the name of Republicanism-the names of Washington and other American patriots may have charms for them-but as the memory of the King of Conquerors looms up before them, all else gives way to the inspiring thought, which breaks forth at regular intervals, vive Napoleon! They are active and shrewd in business, quiet and inoffensive, and make good American inhabitants, for the great mass of them never become Americanized. Indeed, it requires two or three generations before a sufficient amount of the physical and mental type disappears to entitle them to the name of Americans.

Scotch. Next in numbers after the French, come the Scotch. At the beginning of the Rebellion in 1861, 108,518 of them had their homes in the United States. They differ materially from the English, although born under the same flag and upon the same soil; their interests are but feebly enlisted in the glory of the British Empire. The compromise through which their country became a portion of Her Britannic Majesty's dominions, is to this day looked upon as a cheat, by which they were robbed of the lustre of their ancient prowess, and is considered a stain upon the heraldry of their chiefs, of whose chivalry they are so justly proud; particularly so is this the case with the Highland Scotch, who can no more be made British subjects than a North American Indian can be made a slave.

On their arrival in America, they generally enter quietly into business; few of them engage in manual labor, some in trades; or learned or scientific professions engage their attention. They disperse broadcast, and in a short time become citizens, and affiliate in all things with the native born. In commerce and finance,

they are unequaled; sober, industrious, and peaceable; and throughout the manufacturing districts of the Republic they take the lead. It is astonishing to know how many important manufacturing establishments are either owned or managed by Scotchmen and their descendants in the United States. In literary pursuits, as editors and writers, more than five to one of them are engaged, to either the native born or any other foreigners. In politics, the majority of them have been identified with the Republican party. They are eminently progressive; are slow to act until they have fully investigated. Scotchmen in America do not seem to have lost any of the analytical powers of their ancestors, nor do they soon forget Auld Scotland; its warriors, statesmen, orators, bards, poets, and scholars, afford them just pride. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, the majority of them, in the large cities, were with the Union party. They raised regiments exclusively Scotch, and at the sound of the Slogan they marched to the rescue of Republican freedom.

Chinese. Of the 35,565 Chinese in America in 1860, nearly the whole number were in California. Their advent into the country dates from the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. Politics they have none. It is doubtful if one of them has ever been naturalized in the Republic. There is no amalgamation between them and any other people; few of them become Christians; and in all the towns where they congregate, they erect and worship their Joss, and believe in Buddha as the Divinity. Their business men are shrewd, and succeed in making money; the laboring class are good domestic servants. The number of Chinese has greatly increased on the Pacific side of the Republic since 1860. They can no more become Americanized than a leopard can change his spots.

Mexicans.-Few of the Mexicans in the United States become naturalized; generally, they live exclusively among themselves. Their tendencies are towards Republicanism; and most of them who can vote, are with the Republican party. They numbered 27,446 in 1860.

Italians.-The Italians in the United States soon learn to appreciate the institutions of the country. They become naturalized, and generally act with the party of freedom. The educated of them have shown themselves zealous students of American politics. In 1860 they numbered 10,518 in the Republic.

For the other component parts of the foreign residents in America, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, the reader is referred to the tables in the Appendix of this volume, where a full list of the foreigners in the Republic, from every part of the world, is fully set forth.

CHAPTER XXVI.

NATURALIZATION LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.-DECISIONS OF UNITED STATES AND STATE COURTS UPON.-PRE-EMPTION LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.-RIGHTS OF ALIENS TO SETTLE UPON AND HOLD LANDS.-UNITED STATES AND STATE COURT DECISIONS ON.

THE steady and increasing immigration of foreigners from all parts of the world into the United States, and the facility with which they acquire American customs and fraternize with the native population in the general affairs of the country, is strong evidence in favor of the influence of Republican Government to harmonize the families of men into one great political Union.

It has been the policy of the American Government from its origin to the present day, to encourage and aid the inhabitants of all nations to seek homes and protection within the Republic. To this end provision has been made in the Federal Constitution and the Federal laws extending to the adopted citizen every political and civil privilege enjoyed by the native born, with the exception of eligibility to the offices of President and Vice-President.

The achievement of the independence of America was the result of a coöperation of all of the people of the Colonies, regardless of birthplace, and their subsequent formation into a body politic upon the broad principles of equality, at once broke down the ancient barriers that had defined the unnatural limits between King and subject, and opened up a new field for the enjoyment of those fundamental rights of man, the exercise of which is attainable only in a Republican Gov

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