The native American., 1838-04-14


progress of our Association, now proceed IN the
same brief way to treat of the remaining branches
OF my caption.
At the meeting to which | there referred,
Preamble and Constitution having been adopted
which are before the public, and subject to thei
decision, we have been warmly and violently at
tackled for entertaining certain political opinions
which we promulgated without fear conceal
ment-leaving them to stand or fall, according as
they deserve. We are abused for believing thai
we would be better and more honorably governed,
were the power vested and confined in the hands
of native citizens. Our opponents, Ignorant OF
history, or blind to experience, deny the evidence
of human governments; and with the fact against
them, that i'll all countries and at all times, the
natives have been Jealous of foreign influence, and
resolved upon administering their own affairs,
they foolishly expect us to waive our lnborn and
inalienabe right Of sefgovernment in their favor,
md allow ourselves to be ruled by those who
are strangers to us and to our institutions. We
ask, then, if a case to occur, in which their
own government conferred official and political
favor upon foreigners from our country, would
they not be heard protesting against such un-
just and unnatural course of policy, and endeavor,
SO far as law and reason allowed, to preserve
their public Golfers and official posts free from our
touch and enjoyment? We have but to recur to
the annals of the world-to the histories of Eng
land Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, &c. &C.,
to substantiate position, and prove its justice
and universality.
We are abused because it is our desire to re-
peal or modify the existing laws on naturalization.
As to this, enough has been already said, ina
CINE, to put that objection to sleep. An appl-
cation has been made to Congress. Is there any
thing wrong or unconstitutional i'll this? Why!
the sacred right Of petition is denied to none of
us-not to the humblest i'll the land! We appeal
to the wisdom and patriotism OF Congress.
Where, Sir, is the injustice, complained of,
in this? If the great Council of the Nation do
not grant our prayer, we will have to do the best
we can, and submit to the decree. Is our Memo
rial dicatoral, or violent, or denunciaory, or un-
just! We defy any impartial, well organized
mind, to condemn either the tone or temper,
however much men may differ to the subject
matter of the petition. Is the voice of one thou
sand subscribers-free citizens, and native born of
the land to be Knocked and slighted, when they
seek hearing and redress, in manly, vet re-
spectful manner! Sir, the howl of Remuneration
from the base and ignorant may swell and in
crease,-b but we tell our sore and ungenerous OPP
ponents, that the Memorial of native citizens will
and must be heard respectfully, if not favorably,
by the Representatives of an American People
Our Memorial is to be tested by its own merits
and not by the silly defamation of ignorant for
eigners and aliens. We are tired with repeating
that we meddle not directly indirectly with To-
cal politics or religion. 1t appears that we are
not to be Judged by what we say or do, but bv
the sayings and doings of our foes and slander-
ers. We shall, however, 60 on in the independ-
ent course we have commenced, laughing to
scorn the taunts and falsehoods of our opponents,
raising alof the glorious banner of the Constit,,-
r,1oo Of tbay f,ot oF IL
day, and respecting too sensitive and holy, the
institutions of religion. We point the world
fearlessly to our Consttution-we challenge the
public investigation into the course Of our Asso-
citation, and the doctrines and language of our
paper; and defy the traitor native the unjust for
eigner, and pauper alien to find any thing which
is IN reality or appearance, repugnant to creed
and.obects, as officially promulgated to the Ame-
rican People.
We are accused of venal motives and designs,
when we assert that the native ought to be pre-
ferred to the foreigner and alien in the dstrbu-
ton of Office; and this is favorite hobby with
our opponents. Now, we merely answer, what
is there unj just or unreasonable in this position!
That when foreigner and native are at the same
moment applicants for public post and both as
to character recommendation, and qualifications
equal-that in such case, the latter should be
preferred to the former, on account of his being
born in the country. | will not dwell upon the
reflection. That the one is a comparative stran-
ger, is unknown except on the testimonial of
others, has no claims, and his allegiance is ac-
quired, not inborn; whilst the other is native of
the land, we may learn his antcedents, his family,
the character he bore in his city or State, and
can depend more upon faithful fulfiIment of the
duties by reason of that love of country which all
universally possess and preserve
My limits do not allow of detailed illustration.
but for those who are inquisitive and search for
information, | refer them to the back numbers of
your paper, where, editorally and by correspon-
dence, the point is fully and thoroughly discussed
and established. Are we unjust when we seek to
purify ballot box, preserve our institutions
from foul pollution and purge our official depart
ments by arresung the torrent of degraded emf
grafton which is setting in with augmenting ener
gy and force upon shores! Or rather is i
not the course of justice prudence, and selede-
fence, to Keep those from power, who at home
were base born, uneducated, unprincinIed and
squalid with misery and want, and are not
whit changed by change of place! Inasmuch
as from the ignorant, the unprncipled, the wick
ed and the outcast, wisdom, honesty and discre
ton are not to be expected, so do we as natives
protest In bold and fearless lanpuaUe ,rainst ,bo