he naturalization of
Indians, because they were aliens and foreigners. But, in their then
untutored and savage state, no one would have thought of admitting them
as citizens in a civilized community. And, moreover, the atrocities they
had but recently committed, when they were the allies of Great Britain
in the Revolutionary war, were yet fresh in the recollection of the
people of the United States, and they were even then guarding themselves
against the threatened renewal of Indian hostilities. No one supposed
then that any Indian would ask for, or was capable of enjoying the
privileges of an American citizen, and the word white was not used with
any particular reference to them.

Neither was it used with any reference to the African race imported into
or born in this country; because Congress had no power to naturalize
them, and therefore there was no necessity for using particular words to
exclude them.

It would seem to have been used merely because it followed out the line
of division which the Constitution has drawn between the citizen race,
who formed and held the Government, and the African race, which they
held in subjection and slavery, and governed at their own pleasure.

Another of the early laws of which we have spoken, is the first militia
law, which was passed in 1792, at the first session of the second
Congress. The language of this law is equally plain and significant
with the one just mentioned. It directs that every "free able-bodied
white male citizen" shall be enrolled in the militia. The word _white_
is evidently used to exclude the African race, and the word "citizen" to
exclude unnaturalized foreigners; the latter forming no part of the
sovereignty, owing it no allegiance, and therefore under no obligation
to defend it. The African race, however, born in the country, did owe
allegiance to the Government, whether they were slaves or free; but it
is repudiated, and rejected from the duties and obligations of
citizenship in marked language.

The third act to which we have alluded is even still more decisive; it
was passed as late as 1813, (2 Stat., 809,) and it provides: "that from
and after the termination of the war in which the United States are now
engaged with Great Britain, it shall not be lawful to employ, on board
of any public or private vessels of the United States, any person or
persons except citizens of the United States, _or_ persons of color,
natives of the United States."

Here