The native American., 1838-02-10
FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN.

i tlgHctuM.-lNolulHS CdH cACCCu liic Stdle OF
the country and particularly of this county, at the
present moment gentleman of undoubted cha
racter, and of intimate acquaintance with the pea
sanry, assures us that every cabin in the county
of Limerick is supplied with fire arms! Upon the
minutest calculations he states there cannot be less
than ten thousand stand of arms amongst the pea
santry, at this very day! Gracious God! upon
what a volcano do we stand! The magistrates
of the Barony of Kenry are to meet on Monday
next, to take the present disturbances into consi-
deration, with view to their prevention. We
trust the magistrates all through the country will
act in a like manner"
| Now, sir, from this, as from divers other mani
festations of public sentiment in Ireland, we have
fevery reason to anticipate serious revolutionary
struggles in that unfortunate island for the pur-
pose of casting off the English yoke, which has
weighed down the spirit and energies of the peo-
Pile for SO many centuries, although it is but ma
tural to suppose, that for the present. owing to
other reasons, the explosion will not take place.
Still it is impossible not to credit the statement of
the Standard, with certain grains of allowance,
and be convinced that Ireland will not rest con-
tent until the church establishment, and other
grievances are removed, or even until final and
lasting separation is accomplished between the
sister isles If then there be, as humbly think
there is, probability or truth in this view of the
tendency of things in Ireland should imagine
that it does not become the natives of that coun-
try, mean those who pretend to be patriots and
true Irishmen, to desert their natal island when,
III L.. 4 4
wise heads, warm hearts, and strong arms. For
the very same reason that it is dishonorable and
degrading for sentinel to leave his post unbid-
den, though it be one of great danger and suffer
ing, where his commanding officer has placed
him: for the same reason that every true patriot
should hold himself prepared to aid his own
country when she asks his devotion, and not ex-
clude himself by his own voluntary act from so
doing, when the necessity and opportunity shall
arise so | assert is it unwise and unpatriotic for
Irishmen, by expatriation and adoption of the
laws and constitution of stranger land, and the
pledge of perpetual allegiance to authorities not
of their own country, to place it completely out
of their power, or at least their duty, when
such necessity or opportunity ensues, to lend the
support Of their arms and hearts to the land of
their birth and affections.
| Sir, / lay down this broad proposition. That
every foreigner, who becomes naturaized citi-
zen, by so doing, binds himself by all the solemn
and religious obligations Of an oath, to be the
friend Of that country, with which his adopted home
! is at peace-to remain neutral when two nations,
on amicable relations with this, his second coun-
try, are at war. If then it happened that O Con
mel were to call forth the Irish, and range them
with arms in their hands, and the banner of re-
volt floating in the breeze, battle for their in
born rights, and against foreign dominion, [
ask, which course would their felow-country-
men, in the United States, adopt and pursue?
Would they unite as band of brothers to re-
turn to their own green Erin, and aid their
compatrots in their struggle for independence!
or would they, in strict fidelity to solemn oath,
remain quiet in this western world, because it is
unlawful for any citizen of our community, when
his government is at peace with England to med
die in the matter! This dilemma, all Irishmen
must be prepared to encounter sooner or later, II
present indications in their Ireland can be under
stood and believed; and take it to be question
Of the graves importance for all citizens, native
. or naturalized to be certain, what would be done
under such circumstances, by the parties int.
rested.
I Now, nasmuch as / believe, that every TO
reigner, by the act of naturalization, throws OIL
perpetual allegiance to his own government, and
adopts as his enemies our enemies, as his friends
our friends, SO | assert it to be sequiture, thai
those who press with such indecent haste for en-.
trance into our republican family, voluntarily in
capacitate themselves from Fastening to the relief
of their own countries when in danger, and, in
fact, if not in intention, prove recrean to the i'm
perceptable and inefaceable obligations entaed
on them by birth, and the unchanging and un-
changable inspirations of Amor Patrie. Let TO
reigners look well to it; let natives judge of the
tree by its fruits, of these soi disant patriots by
their acts and not their professions, and consider
whether it be consistent with high-toned senti-
ment, love Of country, and national honor, for
men willingly and willingly to desert their own
suffering and oppressed land, in order q fear me
in too many cases) to enjoy the fatness Of coun-
try, the liberties and prosperities of which, so far
from aiding and establishing, it is more than pro-
bable in past days Of conflict and invasion, they
were instrumental in resisting, and which, with
out any trouble or risk on Their part, they find
open for their intrusion and fruition upon their
arrival on our shores.
BOSTON.