The native American., 1838-08-25
FOREIGN PAUPERS AND NATURAL
ZATION LAWS.
ITO accompany bills H, R. Nos. s7a and s74.l
july 2, 1898.
ID
From The Natire .9merican association Of th,
United Slates, IN Washington CITY,

From The Naiire .9anerican .Association Of the
United States, IN Washington CITY,
APRIL IL, 1888
SIR: The President of this Association, to
whom your inquiries were addressed has directed
me to furnish, in reply to them, all the informa-
ton that could be collected from the materials in
our possession.
/ am also directed to say, that, inasmuch as
this Association of native citizens was established
to unite our countrymen in one band of brother
hood, and inculcate a reliance upon themselves
for the prosperities of peace, and in the perls
of defence, so that from one common impulse we
might believe our country always right, and sus-
tain the creed that 'right or wrong our country
we therefore endeavored to avoid all conflict Of
feeling growing out of political or religious creeds,
and with that view adopted the following articles
i'll our constitution ....
"Res0lyed, That we will not in any manner
whatever connect ourselves with the general or
local politics of the country, nor aid, nor be the
means of aiding, the cause of any politician or
party whatsoever; but will exclusively advocate,
stand to, and be separate and Independent party
of native Americans, for the cause of the country.
"Resolped, That we will not in any manner what
ever connect ourselves, or be connected, with any
religious sect or denomination, leaving every creed
to its own strength, and every man untrammeled
in his own faith adhering for ourselves to the
sole cause of the natives, the establishment of a
national character, and the perpetuty Of our nsti-
tutions, through the means Of oar o,Da country
men,"
Acting upon these principles, we have advanced
with constant requirement of new strength, and
believe the day is not remote when the patriotic
good of the whole land will Join us in this cause.
The concentration of greater number of aliens
in the large Atlantic cities has, perhaps, been the
more immediate cause of an appeal to Congress
for remedy, as their interference in the politics
and influences upon the morals of the country has
been more strikingly felt in those places than in
remoter parts. Nevertheless, the evil pervades
the whole Union; and the desire now is to paliate
that which cannot be entirely cured, and to prevent
an extension of the evil by prompt and effectual
means.
In compliance with your wishes, am directed
to suggest, in the course OF this reply, such
measures Of relief as have been discussed among
ourselves.
The great increase of crime and pauperism is
to be mainly attributed to the unusual advance of
our population beyond its natural progress; the
judicial expenses of the country generally, and
the municipal charges in towns, have therefore
kent pace with this increase, until the burden has
in populous districts been fixed upon the property
holders as direct tax. Besides this weight upon
us in pecuniary way, we feel the pressure OF this
strange tide upon our social and domestic SYSTEM
whose unity is impaired by throwing into the dis
cordant materials of every variety OF language,
custom, nationality, and prejudice. The present
generation of natives are therefore so segregated
bv these interpretations, that even tor the general
welfare of the country there could be no perfect
co-operation, and as regards the new corners,
there could, in the hour of peril to institutions,
be no confidence
We have endeavored in our course to avoid any
action that would wound the sensibilities of those
who have pressed their consciences to throw off
the allegiance which nature and duty imposed to
their own land when they promised taithtulness
to this We knew it was but vain formula; but
as the law had tolerated it, and long period OF
peace, in which there could be no test OF its fall
acy, had given it the sanction OF seeming truth,
we were willing to conine ourselves to prospec-
tive dangers, and count upon all who were cltl-
zens. whether naturalzed or native, as interested
with US in the same common cause lhls desire,
however, was not appreciated; and the temper OF
the alien, though covered with the protection of
the laws, the enjoyment of Office, the rewards Of
party, and the places of our own people, manifest
ed it's afinities and sympathies for their coun-
trvmen, though in their distant home, and raised
ali their foreign banners to suppress our Efforts
The pride Of our people is daily mortified by
such doings; we are men, if not awed, at least
threatened in our land. Our places Of profit and
Of honor have been given to the conntrymen of our
enemy. Men but few months in the land, have
been preferred to exemplary citizens. The ar
ch;ves Of your public departments are in the custo
Ju &C those whom we should fear to trust with
a.,ns in war. Our poor's house in this city is
often af tenanted by men who have made long jour
neys to solicit pensions for past services to the
t;on while at the same moment the departments
Of the Government are great lazar-house to re-
CO oeive We and support the alien. We invite you to
look around YOU, in your own commlttee-rooms'
at your public buildings, the very walks OF your
capital, at every ramifcation Of public service
where profit is to follow, and behold the ncum-
bent foreigners, and then turn to the rejected ma
tive, and ask whether it is not time that your
countrymen should petition for redress.
These things are adyerted to, not for the pur-
nose of raising an argument, but facts which
your own investigation can soon prove.