The native American., 1838-01-06
From the N. y Mercantile .4dveriser.
Published by order Of the Nafive american
association.
ADDRESS

OF the NATIVE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION, in the
city an Bcounty of New York, to their fellow
citizens throughout the State and Union.
Fello,o Citizens: In addressing you upon the
subject Of our principles and views, we have two
distinct objects. First, we wish to awaken you
to sense of the danger impending over our insti-
tutons by the unrestricted admission of foreigners
to the elective franchise, for if naturalization
laws remain unaltered, and the stream of emigra-
ton continues to set as strongly towards the
United States. it has for the last five years,
the time is not far distant, when, by vigorous
and concerted union, our foreign population may
elect every officer in the State and General Gov
ernments, and change the whole face of our repub-
ican institutions. Nor is this an idle and unsup-
ported assertion, but capable of demonstra-
ton, when we bear in mind that 234 900 immi-
grants have arrived at the port of New York
alone, from foreign ports, within the last five
years. If we add to this, the arrivals at other
sea ports throughout the Union, and the immense
number constantly poured upon us from the
British provinces, we do not think we over
rate the amount added to our population at 2OOOO0
annually, or one million in the last five years
Add to this the number antecedently in the coun-
try-allow our naturalization laws to remain un-
altered for the next ten years-and not only will
our national character be gone, but we shall re-
quire a standing army to keep our discordant
population in subjection. The social fabric is
threatened-our republican institutions in
jeopardy. Infdel principles, agrarian and de-
structive views, which are now fearfully agitated
by foreigners and their disciples, who have kind.
ly undertaken to define to us the principles o.
natural liberty, will take place of the laws ane
the constitution. It is time, then, for all, and
pemhatically, it is time for the Native American
Association to enter their deep and solemn pro
test, and to be found with their fellow citizens,
maintaining their constitutional rights, and ex-
pressing an honest, frank and manly opinion,
without circumlocution, or non-commttal.
History will characterize our ancestors as men,
who commenced the erection Of temple of Ii
berty, beautiful in its proportions, and splendid,
if carried out, in its concepton but their degene-
rate sons will be mentioned with deserved re-
proach, as men who had not the sense to keep
unimpaired, or the ability to finish, that of which
their sires had SO noby laid the foundation-but
like Esau, had bartered-and without Esau's
excuse-their birthright, for mess of pottage-
for supposed political advantage, which had
deceived and deluded them-changed their indie.
pendence into foreign servitude, and made them
Slaves in the home of their Fathers.
1t is true, and we admit, that every man O
good moral character, who brings with him the
strength and disposition to labor, is an acquisi
ton; and that even the daily laborer, who assists
us in our works of internal improvement, adds
something to the productive industry of the coun-
try, and in this point Of view, our Irish population
have been particularly useful. But when we
bear in mind, that the foreigner himself will be
benefited by being kept out of the strife of party
his earnings, his peace and his responsibility in.
creased that it is by no means necessary fol
us to obtain an influx of population, now becom.
ing of doubtful value; that we should make them