The native American., 1839-11-09
THE ACCIDENT OF BIRTH.

THE ACCIDENT OF BIRTH.
II is a very common aud lavoritc argument,
used by foreigners ana their advocates, in answer
to the doctrines and principles Of TIC Na'i'c
American Association, that the accident q barhs
should give no preferences, in the distribution o.
offices ana political rights, to the native over tas
foreigner. That those who were born ~ this
country are not entities, to any credit for that cir
cumstancc, ana that those who were born ont OF
il, are entitled to the credit at least, OF being
American citizens By their oUn choice aud are
not indebted to a mere accident, for the blessing
Of citizenship We once heard a very intelligent
Enylishman in this city gravcly assert, that ne,
as foreigner, voluntarily transferring himself and
his allegiance from his native land to this country,
had given stronger proofs OF his love Tor our coltn-
,ry and our institutions than if he had been born
in it. This arglm mt to those who are accus-
toned to look into matters no farther than the
surface, is spcc;oas and plausible; bat to those
VIII, look into the motives and affections of the
human heart, nothing can be more iallaclouS or
absurd Its lalsehood is detected in every case
that falls under observation. Men may reason
and argue as they will upon the principles ana,
theories Of philosophy heir reasoning and argu-
mcn,s are pat to flight the instant they are applied
to the unerring test Of natural experience. If the
accident of birth shonld give 10 preference or
pre.eninence, how is it that SO much consequence
has been attached to it, by every nation, tribe and
community ana savagc-snce the Gre
alton Of the world The laws of every comnu.
nity, since the days Of Abraham, have secured to
its own natural born members, exclusive rights,
powers and privileges, and carefully deny them
to the stranger. No departure from this sound
rule has ever been tolerated in any nation, ex-
cept, in cases Of extraordinary services, the for
eigner has been admitted to share in the immnnl-
ties Of the people as the highest species OF reward
that could be conferred, and as the highest cvi-
dence Of gratitude which the people 50 served
could bestow.
If the "accident of BIRTH ought not to create
difference, why does it happen that, III all clvi-
LIKED countries, the son born in wcdock, takes 10
himself all the lands and estate of the father,
while he whose birth is unsanctfed and unbes-
sed is driven forth to labor and toll for scanty
substance! Here, though innocent i'll very
truth, the illegi,imae son is punished Tor the SINS
of the father What has he done, that he should
be thus cast forth from his fathers house as a
stranger and intruder! Nothing, literally nothing !;
and vet, upon principles which all nations have
adopted, and every friend Of law and justice APP
proves, the "accident of birth" operates to ex.
clude him from any share in the inheritance.
But we maintain that there is nothing which
can be properly called an accident OF birth We
are born in one country in another, not by acct
dent, but by the order and providence and wisdom
Of the great Creator Of all things This land has
been given for al inheritance to those born IN II,
by the order Of Him who called it and us into ex.
istence. If others have been and shall hereafter
be permitted to come amongst us to share III lis
manifold natural and political blessings it is con-
sistent with every principle of justice and right
reason, that they should enjoy those blessings only
upon conditions which the natives may prescribe.
That which we possess is, to all ntents and pur'
poses, our own. If we grant any part Of 1T to
others, we must do SO on terms to be established
and dictated by ourselves. If we refuse them al
toge,her.we may perhaps be thought 10 be selfish,
but not unjust. But in any case, 1--WE, and we alone
are the proper, lawful, and only judges. This is
stating the case fairly and plainly, and we chal.
lenge the world to show that in aught that we
have said, now or heretofore, there is an iota at
v,rance with sound moral and political truth and
justice.
We copy the following article, not only as an
item Of news, but to keep our readers advised Of
the movements Of the " IT, S. Geologist.'
nj. u II M,Ir