The native American., 1839-04-27

tnc CltlLtHS Ol NEW oTledlS, tlc
Of which will be found on the second page.
We commend it 10 the reading of every one
The Bill for taking the next census contains
many and valuable provisions for obtaining much
statistical information. 1t is the cheapest mode
in which il can be procured, and, if properly ex-
ecuted, will be very useful. But there is one
point in which we think it might be very advan-
tageously amended, and we surprised that it
should have escaped the attention of Congress.
We may possibly over-es,imate the importance
of this subject, but it does seem to us TO be mai
ter Of great public importance 10 ascertain the
number Of our citizens of Foreign origin, and how
long they have respectively been in the country;
and at the same time the number Of aliens resi-
ding among us, and how long they have been
easily be prepared for the officer commissioned
to take the census, which would 1t once point
this out and the labor would be comparatively
very light. As merely statistical information,
disconnected entirely with all social matters If
possible, it seems to us this would be valuable as
showing the increase of the population from its
own natural progress, as distinguished from the
increase from accidental causes. Without this it
is impossible to form any proximate estimate Of
that natural increase; for we know that the immi-
grafton for few years pasthas greatly increased;
but we have no data by which it can be calcua-
ted. A great object in taking census is, I'M
doubleday, to ascertain not only the fact of in
crease, but the meaIs by which that increase has
been produced. 1t is not sufficient 10 know only
that we have million more Of inhabitants, than
we had at the last census We should also know
whence that million is derived, and Of what it is
composed. If the strength of country depends
in any considerable degree OH the unity Of feeling
and interest in its Inhabitants, on their attachment
to the country and its institutions, and if that com
munity Of interest and feeling and that attachment
are produced and cemented by natural causes, by
education and habit, it surely must be of the ut
most importance to know how far these causes
may reasonably be supposed to prevail among
its inhabitants. Now we maintain that the at
tachment which a man feels for the home Of his
birth and his boyhood, is almost neradirable;
and that the regard which he feels for the insti-
tutions Of the country in which he may live, can
reasonably exist only in knowledge oftheir benefi-
cent influence. Consequently he cannot feel the
community of interest and attachment which form
the bonds Of union in society, until he has become
dcnizen enjoying its benefits. man may IN
doubtetlly be hired to fight for pay, but he must
know and feel his stake in the country before he
fights for love. man may fight for the love of
freedom. But it is the abstract freedom of which
he knows nothing. He must live under and enjoy
the benefits of regulated liberty, before he ha
yards his life and fortune for its protection. In
this point of view it strikes us matter of pri-
mary importance to know how our country is
filled, by whom, whence they come, and whether
they are Of us.
Besides, it is important to know whittier the
man body of the immigration tends. Whether it
is principally confined to large cities, or goes
to the western country. Whether they are spread
abroad and mingled up with the mass of the in
habitants, or hang together and form little com
munities of their own. Whether, in fine, they at
tempt to cast off their old homes and habits, and
identify themselves with our people, or by keep
ing separate and distinct, still to keep alive the
recollection Of their native land, and to transmit,
to their children their old attachments.
We have often said that our great object is to
produce in this country purely american feel
ing; and we deem it Of the utmost importance
that this feeling should be universal We must
think and believe and maintain that we have the
best form of government, and the. best system of
laws ever yet devised for the social relations Of
man; and that we have the finest country, in its
broad extent, that heaven ever smiled upon. We
have said again and again that these results can
be produced only by making the People under
stand the frame Of the government, and the char
acter OF the laws, and by making every inhabi-
tant feel the importance of his stake in the coun-
try. If there exist among us separate commune
ties, in which the language and manners and ha-
bits and customs Of different lands prevail, we
h, 20 know il: and TO see how far the evil