The native American., 1838-12-22
From the National Banner.
AMERICAN LlBERALIrY.

We have been surprised that the desire express
el by our native and ratriouc cilizen'' W P'o'''
by law our rights and institutions, has soiie, ,,,
been characterized by strong party men as i''''e
raj. There certainly cannot be anything .'oio !,
liberal and UNIV arranlable than TINS accusauon. H.
what respect can Americans he considered HIDE
rll, when their purposes in this particular canho
be distorted to any other meaning or ehu' '''a'
the preservation of the invaluable inheritance Puf
chased by the blood of their fathers! What rea
sonable objection can any American or patrioit
citizen see in additional security TO our repubca!
government! Certainly, there can be none VIII
those at all acquainted with the nature OF that go
yernment or desirous 10 see II perpetuated to pos
terily. For our own part, we are well satlshe'
that the accusation results from an ignorance o
the character of our Institutions, from desperate
feeling, or from foreign influence and predec
tions. All ofthese causes no doubt operate NOR
or less upon those who make the assertion tha
we are illberal i'll restricting the means which ar
acknom Iedged on all hands to peril our Liberties
They cannot estimate the importance OF such sa
lutary measures as are required to keep pure AM
permanent our political form of government, bu
would rather rend dr all national consideration
subservent TO selfish or partizan interests.
The influence, also, of seventy thousand foreig
persons among us, cannot be slight or imperative
and wEen particularly, it is known that Of tha
number, there are more voters than in double tn,
number of native citizens. Such. in addition Il,
the objections which they urge against any f,lrthe
safeguards that may be thrown up around our Ii
berries, have friends and friendly interests under
another and foreign government, all of which
might conflict with any salutary restrictions on The
indiscrmnate liberty now exercised and claimed
There can be no doubt that if the will and wishes
Of our native citizens were allowed their prope,
influence, restriction laws would be enacted; blu
they are already bound by the influence so much
to be feared. WY ,>'..
But it is for our countrvmen TO consider wha
is necessary for their safety, not foreigners; it is
their duty and high privilege to legislate for the
future and present good ofour country, unless they
are willing to surrender at once, all their rights Il
others. They k ow. and should provide for, thu
best interests Of the American people. No one
we might suppose, would question either the righ
or necessity Of their decision upon subjects affect
ing their greatest national good-even their very
existence as a nation. They ought, at least, Il
understand their own government better thai
Others and to love it quite as we'll as those from
different and distant governments. Of the time
and circumstances at, and under, which whole
some legislation may be necessary, they ought
likewise, to be the best judges. Where, then
is the illiberali,y in institutng such measures al
on deliberate reflection shall be thought requisite
Is there government, or people, under heav
ell, more liberal than the American? Can there
be institutions devised by man, more liberal, ant
yet preserve their existence and protec. the rights
of the people? There cannot be. The fact is
American liberality has been too much extended
and too unrestricted to preserve it's means Of ex
istence and the legitimate rights Of the people
This is too plain to need illustration. 1t is iseI
the cause Of the unjust imputation of which we
complain. The fears entertained by our earles
and best statesmen, are already too nearly realiz
ed, and unless we soon listen to their admoni
TONS we never can expect any other fate thar
that which has attended all other republics.