The native American., 1838-07-28

OF insubordlnation and resistance 10 the consul
tued authorities of our Government, present con-
siderations which should not be dsrcgarded.
At the early period of our history we possessed
an extended public domain, entirely uncultvaled,
with numerous savage tribes skirting our from
tier; with limited population, worn out by the
Ealigues, deprivations, and suerings, endured in
long and sanguinary war: these considerations in
duced call for numbers from any and every quar-
ter The policy of admitting foreigners 10 par
ticipate with us upon an equality with our own
citizens in the benefits Of our Institutions was,
even al that day and under such circumstances,
doubted by many who were no less distinguished
for their philanthropy than their patriotIsm even
the distinguished author OF the Declaration oil
American Independence, that pafridrch OF rcpub-
lcanism and apostle of civil liberty, Thomas JEFF
rcrson, expressed strong reluctance to the rapid
increase of our population by the introduction OF
foreign emigrants. In speaking OF The reasons
mgcd by the friends of the system, he says:-
''liere will beg leave to propose doubt. The
present desire of America Is, to produce rapid
population by great importation OF foreigners
as possiblc but is this founded IN good policy!
The advantage proposed Is the multiplication OF
numbers. Now let us suppose Qor example only
that in this State (Vmginiaj we could double our
numbers in one year, by the importation OF for
most sangune advocate for emigration has right
to expect:) then, say, beginning with a double
sfork, we shall attain any given degree OF popu-
lation only twenty-seven years and three months
sooner than il we proceed on our single SiOck.
But, are there no lncOnycnicnccs to be thrown IN
to the scale against the advantage expected from a
multiplication of numbers by the importation of
foreigners? 1t is for the happiness of those united
in society to harmonize much as possible in
matters which they must of necessity transact to-
gether. Civil government being the sole object
|of forming societies, its administration must be
conducted by common consent. Every species
Iof government has its specific principles; ours,
perhaps, arc more peculiar than those OF any 9TH
Ter III the universe. 1t is composition Of the
purcst principles of the English constitution, with
others, derived from natural right and natural rca-
son. 70 these nothing can be moro opposed
than the maxms of absolute monarchics; yet
from such we arc to expect The greatest number of
emigranls. They will bring with them the prin-
ciplcs Of the governments they have mbibed in
their early youth; or, if able TO throw them off, il
will be in exchange for an unbounded licentious-
ness, passing, is usual, from one extreme to
another. 1t wouldIaE miracle were they to stop
precisely at the point of temperate liberty. These
principles, with their language, they will trans
NIT to their children. In proportion TO their
numbers they will share with us the legislation;
they will nfuse into it their spirit, warp and bias
its direction, and render il heterogeneous nco-
hcrcnt, distracted mass. | may appeal TO eape-
rience hring the present contest for veriica-
ton OF these conjecturcs; but, if they he not Ger
tain in event, are they not possible, are they not
probable? Is not safer TO wait with patience the
twenty years and three months longer for
the attainment Of any degree Of population desired
or expected? May not our Government be more
homogeneous, more peaceahle, more durabe?'
These doubts were thrown out by MIR. Jeffer-
son in 1881 and 1882, and are full of instruction
to the present generation; and many of the en-
barrassments which he then saw, through al
glass, dimly, have since become portion of the
recorded history of our country. 1t requires nOa
no prophetic vision to penetrate the veil which
has concealed forthcoming events; they have al
ready cast their shadows before and the evils pre-
dicted are now in daily fulilment. The practi-
cal operation of natural causes upon mankind. or
the benefits Of experience upon theories OF hn-
man invention, should be disregarted in vain
effort TO sustain the spcculatiOns Of visionary the
oriss. In the affairs of civil government, the adj
monitions Of experience are rarely disrcgarded
with mpunity. Let him who is in pursuit of
permanent benefits regard the landmarks which
successful predecessor has created for his obser-
ed but the perils Of the original enterprise avoi-
ded
The republics Of olden times were not less au-
spcious in their origin, nor had in prospect less
hope for the melioration of the condition Of man
kind, or TO stimulate the patriot or the philan-
thropist, than that Of Amcrica-and now, where
are they! And what, but an nsidious foreign in
1ucncc, which sickly, time-serving sympathy
had INDUCED until it obtained the entire asccn-
dency, has produced their destruction. And will
not our republic, upon which rests the last hope
Of man for republican institutions, regard the bca-
con-lghts which past experience has erected for
our safety? The idea that foreigners arriving in
the United States are, upon their arrival in our
country, entitled to all the rights of citizenship,
is not well founded. How far they should be
permitted to enjoy the privileges Of native citi-
zens is a question of policy, and rests entirely
with the American people; and that which, in
this country, with population of four millions,
having in view a common object, would have been
discreet and proper; with mixed population of|
thirteen millions, with diversified objects, speak
ing different languages, with no common incen-
tive to sustain republican form of government,
u. L. a. Il