The native American., 1838-10-20

gotten. Behold, are they not written in the book
of the chronicles Of the people called Quakers, ex-
hibited at their yearly meetings, and preserved
from generation to generation as memorial OF
The su6erings Of Friends! must not, however,
forget to mention that many of the more intelli-
gent Quakers have recourse to certain ingenious
lsubterfuges to prevent any losses Of magnitude on
such occasions.
Piomingo. Their language is not little curl
Gus: have never been able to account for the orr
gin of so singular dialect.
| Frank. | believe c;n give you the true cause
of its origin and progress: The early Quakers,
and other puritans, affected to be conscentiously
scrupulous of addressing single person with the
pronoun plural "you:'' 1t was species of lie
which they could not re, oncle to their conscience!
They were determined to use, even in the com
mon occurrences of life, that solemn mode of ex-
preston which had been adopted in addresses, to
the deity and in the translation of the Bible but,
alas although they were favored with the umi-
nations of the Spirit, they were too ignorant to
distinguish the a1oninati,e from the obique case
Of the pronoun: "lhou'' and .'thee'' were there
fore used indiscriminately. But il came to pass
in process Of time, that this daring, intriguing, m
|sinnating ''thee' not only maintained his egit-
mate rights, but ambiously usurped the domn-
ions of his brother. "Thou' is totally discard
ed: and a man would be accused of adectation
and pedantry, even among Quakers, who would
attempt to restore the disgraced nominative to its
station in the language. Almighty custom has
sanctioned the production Of ignorance; and this
unparalleled corruption has become the language
of friends. "iIow does thee do? If hee's
cold, thee'd better sit dosrn and marm Mee-seD;"
which is just as absurd as to say >'lNe's veH,
mes cold, and nell sit doWn and acarln me-
SELF"
Piomingo. If language serve to convey our
ideas, it answers the purpose for which it de-
signed.
Frank. Yes: but you must acknowledge, Pio-
mngo, that language has been thought Of sufficient
importance to engage the attention of the wsest
philosophers and since that is the case, certainly
the language, spoken by a large and very respec-
table soci"ty, merits transient consideration.
Piomingo. We will however, dismiss that sub
ect for the present. Who is that little man whose
attention is so distracted between smoking and
talking. He certainly never has heard of the phi
losopher who did but one thing at time.
Frank That is revolutionary character.
Piomingo. BE more explicit Frank, and in
form me what is the signifcation of this revo-
lutonarv character.
Frank. Why, sir, the gentleman is forty or
fifty years old; and consequently must have been
alive somewhere during our revolutionary contest.
He has been, he informs us, in every important
engagement; and, if we credit his assertions, we
must admit that the successful issue Of the war
was principally owing to his personal exertions
Piomingo. Can we believe him .@
Frank. That depends on the measure of your
faith. Many years have passed away since the
close of the war. Time has involved the events
of those days in obscurty; and man may boast,
without danger Of detection, of exploits which
were never performed. Thousands who fought
and bed in the war for independence are long
since numbered with the dead; yet never were re-
volutionary characters, as they are called, more
numerous than at the present moment. The
most Of those who suffered the hardships Of war
and fought the battles of their country have lived
in penury and Distress and died neglected and un-
known; who then are these, who extol their per-
sonal prowess bowl, and exhibit their re-
volutionary in the taverns Of Philadelphia? !?
The heroes of independence resemble the heads
Of the serpent of Lerna; when death cuts off one,
a hundred spring up in his place. Observe that
smiling red-faced sefconceted animal who walks
across the floor with an air so important and i'm
posing: that is an Irishman; and an ignorant Irish
man. He has no knowledge Of history; he is
totally unacquainted with the affairs of his own
country; and yet, although he has not been six
months on this side Of the Atlantic, he conceives
himself fully able to discuss our political concerns
and settle the affairs Of the nation. There is no
Office in the United States but he has the impu-
dence to todemand; and his demand, when he thinks
proper to make it, will be probably successful
He will grow rich and powerful, and fatten on the
gifts of the nation, while the children of revolu-
tionarv heroes pine in obscurity and want. 1t
was to provide country for such fellows as this,
that nv father shed his blood in the service Of
the public, and reduced himself and his family
to poverty. Where is he now!
Coll is the so that covers his head
| And sound is the sleep of his tomb!
His name is forgotten; his children are unknown;
and here comes an ignorant coxcomb to gather the
fruit of his labor.
Piomingo. Would you prohibit the ingress of
foreigners?
Frank. No: but should like little modesty
in foreigners. They might live in peace and en-
10y the products of their industry; but see no ne
cessity for their becoming legislators, or enjoying
the emoluments of office, while there are thou
sands Of natives fully as capable, and certainly as
patriotic, as any insoent foreigner whatever.
| Piomingo. But if a man If genius fix his re-
sidence among you. why should his adopted coun-