The native American., 1839-02-02
I. II. JUNF ~
Recording Secretary.

When we are opposed by argument, we do
not arbitrarily place our antagonis, uponj Just such
grounds as will suit our notion, but we quote his
'wn words. and then make our defence Not so
with our opponents: they give whatever position
they please: they assume principles for us, and
put into our mouth words we never uttered and
INTO our hearts sentiments we never entertained.
Not only so, they are yet more unfair and disin-
genuous-they will not attack us openly by our
adopted cognomen; but like towards, afraid Of US,
Or ashamed of their opposition, invidiously assail
us in The dark. propagate opinions and views as
existing Uncertain quarters. which they do not de-
|signate, aud of which they affect to be ignorant;
thus endeavoring to forestall public opinion. un-
favorahy to our cause; course Of conduct which
the selfish bigot or depraved traitor, only would
be guilty OF.
independently Of those at distance, with
whom we are not 80 we'll acquainted, are not the
opinions Of thousands of citizens Of this District
IS worthy, respectable. and intelligent, as any
equal number in any other section OF lh,s Union.
whose appreciation sustains and cheers us on in
our course worthy of the notice of one press out
Of one hundred? Are we to be nsrepresented
under alleged views which we never protessed.
'ut in fact repndia,e! When, by laying our views
before the public. in our own phraseology, that
supreme tribunal, before whom we aim and ult-
!natey will bring our cause for declsion, would be
able to judge between us. But although hope is
deferred, our hearts not made sick; our circu-
:ation is gradually and hopefully increasing, by
voluntary patronage, under the astonishing tlisad-
vantage Of not having one authorized agen. en-
ployed in the interest of our paper in the United
States. From This, our readers NAV Judge as to
he foundation on which we are built up. We
stand or fall on the approval disarprovsl OF our
ountrymen, predicated upon the merit or ,emerit
OF our cause We claim to be heard, and if the
people say so, we ,OiN be heard III spite Of
'lme-serving, patronage-seekipg, party -honored
Press, whose party bitterness is running the coun
try mad, threatening the institutions Of the Con-
'eueFacy' deylng constituted authority, trampliug
upon the laws, and exciting, and even encoura-
yng riots, mobs, revolution, and ..the shellti;ng
J blood" Look at Maryland where the most
criminal scheme was planned and practised to
overthrow her government, and which was onlv
thwarted by the patriotic energy of her Governor,
and the virtue Of her citizens, less depraved and
vicious than the profigate politicians, who, TO sub
serve Po!i'icsl ends, would have bndly sealed
'hc,f destruction and overwhelmed her in the
blood of her own children.
Look at Penns, Ivania, where the highest tribu-
nal known to a sovereign State, was overawed.
her legislative halls invaded by purely political
mob, her Legislature driven out of to,rs.
seeking safety in nght; the civil officers some
OF whom were identified with the moh, set at
naught; and the functions Of the Government ac
'ually suspended, requiring the presence Of mi
litary force TO restore order.
What do these things grow out Of! The pas
sion for power and patronage-forgetting first
and losing sight of old landmarks, in
the blindness Of selwiIl and the tyranny Of ambi-
tion.
We believe it would be easy to trace these evils
or remotely to foreign influence. as
the chief cause; and we are satisfied that The cor.
receive is only to be found in the polio, we re-
commend.
nose OF our recreant countrymen who oppose
u.s. may calculate on receiving the appreciation of
foreigners; and may receive it; Of that class against
whom our objections are Directed the ignorant
raooie. But we are happy to know many among
the worthy and intelligent OF those from other
lands, who are with us; and in consideration Of
their offspring born here, who are 10 be affected
or EVIL or for good, according as our Object may
all or prevail, they have expressed their desire to
witness the consun nation of these objects. Nor
10 we Goubt, were it fairly tested, that as many
intelligent and worthy strangers will sanction our
as there natives, Of opposite char
lcter, who will reject Them This belief rests
lpon the known fact, that intelligence reasons
While ignorance raves.
These remarks were suggested from seeing in
everal papers covert attacks upon our principles
IS set forth and advocated in the Nafive A,ney;-
an, which they do not name, but from which
hey evidently took their theme. One of those
,apers alluded 10, is the Iowa Gazette. We oh