The native American., 1839-04-20

the principles you profess: we too are DESTROYS
of the honor, glory aud welfare of our country;
but we cannot see the necessity or advantage of
such Associations.
That country has made rapid progress in the
march Of empire, from its formation to its final
disruption, when the citizens cease to examine
with deep interest and close scrutiny the ele-
ments of which its Government is composed.
In this country, especially based and resting for
its strength and security on the virtue and intel
ligence of the community every member of that
community forming an element in the great mass
of the sovereign power which still remains in the
people, it is of the utmost importance that this
interest should be constantly kept alive, and this
scrutiny severe. Our laws emanate from the
people-our Government is sustained by the
people. Our political and social safety depends
upon the people. If, then, that people shall by
degrees become SO lost to the principles of virtue
and moraity-if they become so debased and
corrupt as to disregard the purity of the elective
franchise and encourage its abuse, the foundations
Of the Government itself will be shaken, and the
freedom of which we boast will soon become
matter of history.
We ask, and we challenge fair and candid an
swer, is not this already beginning to be the case?
Do not the prominent actors in the political con-
tests of the day, openly ayow, and with unbush-
ing impudence practise the principle, that in this
matter the end justifes the means? Will any ma
tive citizen, will any naturalized citizen who un-
derstands the principles of this Government.
openly deny that every effort is made in the
party contests of the day to smuggle into the bal
lot box the votes of aliens, and that this is deadly
hostile to the purity and stability of the Govern
ment? .... .....
They may attempt to persuade themselves that
they are doing only what is right. They can
not. They know they are violating the first duty
they owe to themselves, their kindred, society,
and their country. They know they are inhict-
ing vital injury the institutions they profess te,
love. They know that they are spreading broad.
cast the seeds of corruption which will spring ;,
up and produce an abundant harvest of anarchy OF
despotism. Yet they pause not. On the eve Of
an election the unbaptised alien is hunted up from
IiiC VI WIZ hiu llllHoCu IL
degradation, and carried to the court to add per
jury to the garment Of corruption with which he
is clothed, and made free white male American
citizen.
What think you, fellow countrymen, of the
army of foreigners thus enlisted in the service Of
the contending parties? Three hundred thou
sand aliens in one year, nearly seven hundred
thousand in three years, have been thrown loose
upon this land Among them we doubt not,
nay, we know there are many who will make
valuable citizens. But what proportion do they
bear to the mass? And what is that mass? How
do they first show themselves in 'Dretched groups,
enhibiting the ertreme Of human misery, and
often Of depravity.' Do you feel as we do-do
you see no necessity or advantage in associations
of Native Americans, who shall combine to stay
this torrent Of depravity, who shall strive to turn
it from the great stream of our citizens, and pur-
flying it from its corruptions, make it useful
But, if in all this, you cannot find a motive,
turn, we beseech you, to the details of the late
election in New York., See the largest city of
the Union literally in the hands of the aliens
see them banded together-see them already
trampling the law under foot--see them defying
the civil power, and only yielding to that rod
with which they have heretofore been ruled.
the musket But worse-ten thousand times
worse, than all this--see these outcasts courtecl
and encouraged alternately by the political parties
by which that unhappy City is divided; hired
and employed by native citizens, to intimidate
or control their opponents. We have warned
you against these things. We have long since
pointed out this very evil we have endeavored
to awaken the native citizen to this fearful reality;
we see the Native American assaulted, beaten,
trodden under foot, and prevented from the exer-
else of the elective franchise by the alien. DO
we need no Native American Association! Is
there any remedy for this great and still increasing
evil, but the repeal or radical modification of our
laws of naturalization?
We give below selections from toasts given at
the celebration of ST. Patrick's day in Albany and
4 IL ~