The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-02-23
FoREIGNERs-MARINE CORPS.

We understand that the two vacant Lirutrn
ahcics occasioned by designations, are about tt
be filed by foreigners, one of whom is in nosni,
nation before the Senate aud the other expecting
to be. Now, as we have always said it is nos
in our creed 10 oppose any man in the career
of his good fortune from any individual preju-
dice-we war not with men or against nen be-
cause they Of that cline or the other; our ob ).
ject is sef-protection, self respect, and the esa
blishment Of a national character and feeling from
the natural ties, sympalhies, and elements of our
own people.
No nation can be politically strong whose
population is disco'daut in its attachments: nor
can any thing more efectua'Iy create discord and
alienation of affection than unnatural preferences,
whether founded in p'ItaIi,y or present policy.
VI the elements OF which we as ii people are
composed, part owe allegiance by birth to one
country, and by promise to another, who have
sworn lealty one year to Majesty, and the next
to Republic: in fne who bud and release
themselves by oaths or by breaking oa,hs Accord
ing to the change of circumstances or Of interest
In the eases alluded to, we find cause of great
modification to the American people, as we un-
derstand there were numerous native citizens
apply lng for the appointment, whose ancestors
have done the state some SERVICE" and yet
whose claims on that score as we'll as on that of
individual responsibility and merit, were pre-
termtted to give place to two Foreigners.
The argument from this result is this, that
here h.,inr Inn a.,
we learn is below the mark) seeking those stu
atoms against two competing foreigners, and the
latter succeeding, each one of those men from
strange lands had, not onl, more merit but great
or claims upon the confidence and patronage Of
the administration than fifty sons OF the soil.
We would respectfully inquire of our Senators
if this dlsgiac, full conclusion be not worthy of
investigation, and if it would not BE- patriotic
duty to inquire how it is that the Government"
for its contingent defence, puts arms into the
bands Of foreign subjects, and yet fe&rs to trust
Them in those If our ovn? "
we appeal TO the. American people, to their
Representatives in Conglcss, to those native ap-
plicants WHO have been turned aside, and to all
their 'ends, to raise their voice against this UNI
wise and unjust preference, and to call, through
the lis OF Legislation, for the reasons that indu-
ced the Executive to barter away native rights
for foreign favori,ism. ~
The Marine Corps we have always been des-
rous Of regarding as respectable and efirient
ann OF the national defence, but if that chivary
"hh h constitutes military honor, is to be solled
and impaired by the admission of any and every
refugee, it will cease to be worthy of public conf
de nee, aud become in character what it is in
ractice, an amphbious if Dot doubtful branch
Of service which, by reason of its uncertainty,
had bette, be wiped off from cur military list,
aud the expense of its useless maintenance omit
ted in the general appropriations.
We have had a private communication from
one of our most respectable citizens upon this
subject; but as our course is for the public veal
upon principle, and not for the expression, of
personal vindictiveness, we shall defer the pub
LEGATION OF it until it shall be so modified as to
come within the proper scope Of our purposes