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THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM
The “Native American” and “Know-Nothing”
Movements
The second period, from 1835 to i860, is sharply
defined by the so-called “Native American” and
“Know-Nothing” movements, which, as is generally
known, were largely based on opposition to the immi
gration of Roman Catholics. This hostility early in
the thirties took the form of a political movement.
In 1835 there was a Nativist candidate for Congress
in New York City, and in the following year that
party nominated a candidate for mayor of the same
city. In Germantown, Pennsylvania, and in Washing
ton, D. C., Nativist societies were formed in 1837,
while in Louisiana the movement was organized in
1839 and a State convention was held two years later
at which the Native American party, under the name
of the American Republican party, was established.
The chief demands of this convention were a repeal
of the naturalization laws and the appointment of
only native Americans to office.
While these societies were stronger in local than in
National politics, and were organized chiefly to aid
in controlling local affairs, the few representatives of
the order in Congress attempted to make Nativism a
National question. As a result of their efforts, the
United States Senate, in 1836, agreed to a resolution
directing the Secretary of State to collect certain in
formation respecting the immigration of foreign pau
pers and criminals.* In the House of Representatives,
on February 19, 1838, a resolution was agreed to
which provided that the Committee on the Judiciary
be instructed to consider two questions: (1) the ex-
* See Chapter IV, Social Effects of Immigration.