The native American., 1839-07-27
"ERIN,sGO BRAGH."


der the above expressive signature, extracted some
three or four weeks since from the Louislanlan,
than,it merits, But we view that article as SO
thorough an exponent of the true character OF the
great mass Of Irishmen in this country, that we
believe we cannot do our duty to our country
men without spreading before them the reflections
to which it has given rise in our minds.
Heretofore, we have deemed it only necessary
to call upon our fellow countrymen to consider
well the danger which threatens their free insti-
tutions by continuation OF the practice of throw
ing wide the doors Of American citizenship to
foreigners in general. We have not thought pro-
per TO make inyidious distinctions between those
who come from different nations. We have OBJ
, jected to alL-not indeed as immigrants seeking
for shelter and the means Of future subsistence for
themselves and families, but as intruders upon
and particpators in those political rights, in the
acquisition or preservation of which neither these
Immigrants themselves nor their fathers nor kin
dred contributed any jot of toll, or peril, or suf
fering But Erin 60 bragh," who, we may
Judge, from the tone and tenor of his writing, to
unintentionally perhaps, drawn a portrait OF the
Irish character; and we feel 1t duty to acknow-
ledge the accuracy Of the outlines and the perfect
,ruth Of the coloring.
This leading and educated Irishman tells US, in
snbstauce, that it is impossible 10 restrain his
cotnyvmen when they are once excited by real
IL fancied wrongs; that they are impatient Of con-
,.a a,d disobedient to law, and that " mischief
yyculd inevitably ensue from assembling them to-
ether to consider the character of real or sup
oose5 national insult. He has emphatically
,,ar1sd the people of the United States, through
,ne asdium of an American newspaper, that has
-n. Atymen do not and never consider our
a@alJ as their country, nor our countrymen as
taesg countrymen; that any imputaton against
lresaad, or the people Of Ireland, must and ever
will arouse their 'deep resentment and that
that resentment must lead to mischief, even though
such imputaton be made by an american larger
in the Performance of his duty to his client, and
under the protection Of tribunal of justice; that
Lawyers must beware how they indulge in the
hitherto sacred liberty Of speech, lest they may,
Irishmen, or be prepared to meet the consequent
ces Of arousing their deep resentment This is a
solemn warning. ,His solemn warning, NOT to
LAWYERS merely, but to every native American.
1t is more portentous than any Oe have yet ven
tured to announce to our readers. Had aOe dared
so much, the food-gates Of abuse which the rene
gade presses of the country have already poured
out upon us, are but rivuets in comparison to the
deluge of vituperation which would have over
whelmed us.
Against Irishmen, as a people, we have here
tofore entertained no anmosity. Many individu-
ais among them we are proud to number amongst
our personal friends. Their ardent attachment to
the land Of their nativity has oftentimes command
ed our esteem and challenged the imitation of ma
nv Americans. Their devoted adherence in des
pie of most bitter and unrelenting persecution, to
the religious faith Of their fathers has ad.
miration. The cruel expressions which have
been heaped upon them for ages by an unfeeling
and tyrannical government, have excited our deep
est sympathy, and we have ever evinced, by word
and action, the most cheerful willingness TO open
for them, in this free land, safe and happy asy-
lum. We have ever been ready, as far as IN us
lies, to soothe the Affections and bind up the
wounds Of g the heart-broken stranger" But we
have looked into and studied carefully the history
of the Irish people, and made ourselves acquant
ed with the leading features Of the Irish charac
ter. That they are restless, turbulent, revenge
full, and impatient Of the wholesome restraint o
the laws, Erin go bragh," their own country
man, advocate, and friend, by his bold avowal
has saved us the necessity of asserting, and no
4 one of them can deny. No matter whether these
most Objectionable traits of character have beer
produced by long-continued expressions and mis-
!. government: they do exist, and cannot now be
eradicated; and while they exist they unfit them
for the duties and obligations of American cit
zens. We are not willing to place the destnes
of this government in the keeping of those whose
dangerous propensites must constantly be keptir
check, in their own country, by gunpowder ant
the bayonet. We are not willing to entrust th'
ncatx,1 1c ;,.,t,np IN thnca w