The native American., 1838-10-20


never can feel the operation OF this prejudice in
favor of the adopted country, they cannot be
heartily and wholly attached to Its interests. The
fact is, they never become more than half cizens.
After they have been here thirty or forty years,
you may hear them express their regard for their
dear natiUe land, and call it, with atfectionate ten
derness-HoME. blame not this amiable parti-
ality. | should dislike the man who felt il not;
but | contend that no one can become wholly at
tached to any other country but that which gave
him birth Piomingo! can you describe the place
Of your nativity! ...
Piomingo On gentle eminence, near a rapid
stream, stood waited hut, overshadowed by
the branches of venerable oak. On the right
was the distant prospect OF an Indian village; on
the left, narrow path winding down the hill to
the banks of the river. Majestic mountains ap-
peared at distance. .*
Frank. Piomingo! do you never repeat, with
melancholy pleasure,
En- unqnaIn patlios longo post tempore fines,
Panperis ct tuguri congesnn cesplte culmen,
Post alquo mea regina videns nirabor arstas?
Should you return once more after many years
absence and visit the Indian village, the swelling
hill, the rapid stream, the winding path, the little
hut, and the venerable oak, would they not excite
thousand ineffable feelings? Can you feel the
same attachment to any other spot in the universe!
Is not that your country! Could you forget the
scene of your infant joys, where you first be-
came conscious of existence, where you spent
your happiest days, where the bones of your faith
ers are buried, and where your brethren dwell
could you forget all these, and attach yourself,
exclusively to any other country and people?
Piomingo. May not man have reason to hate
his people and the land of his fathers?
Frank. man cannot hate his people and the
land of his fathers: it is impossible. If he can, he
is utterly incapable of loving any other.
Piomingo. This civilized uproar fatigues me.
| must be going.
Frank. Stay moment, till show you ano-
ther foreigner. We have them of all descriptions
That inanimate being who sits by himself viewing
every thing round him with suen contempt is an
Englshman. He has been among us these twen-
ty years, but in all that time has found nothing
on which he could bestow the slightest commen-
dation. There are but four things that fall within
the range of his abilities he can eat, drink, love
oil England, and hate every other thing in eXis-
tence. He never can be induced to taste any spe-
cies of food which is unknown in England: and
of those kinds which are common to both coun-
tries, that which is produced here is, he asserts
infinitely inferior in quality. If you show him
the choicest productions of the soil, he will some
times reluctantly admit they may do, taking care
at the same time to add, they are much better IN
England. He never has been so fortunate, since
he crossed the Atlantic, as to meet with dinner
properly prepared: and when he returns to the
land of shopkeepers, should he ever return, he
will inform his countrymen that the people Of
Pennsylvania are anthropophag and blacks. AL
though he carries the marks of stupid vugarity in
his countenance, he affects to despise the Ameri-
cans nation of rebels, convicts, and savages.
Piomingo. Will he argue on political sub
jects?
Frank. Argue! he argues as dog would argue:
he snarls at every thing round him. He abuses
our Legislative assemblies and curses publicly the
officers of government.
Piomingo. Itis magnanimous to overlook these
things.
Frank. I have no opinion of such magnani-
nifty. Suppose | should 60 to England and call
the virtuous members of Parliament robbers and
villains, and the sapient monarch fool; what
would be the consequence? Why should stran.
gers be allowed greater privileges among us, thar
the citizens of the United States would be allowed
in foreign countries?