The native American., 1839-04-06

| am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JOSIAH F. Polk.
Washington, .aprit l, 1880
TO THE NATIVE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED
STATES.
In laying before the Public the principles of
"Jhe Native American Association OF the United
S.ates'' as set forth il, our Constitution, we deem
it proper to assign The reasons which have indu-
ced us to form this Association, and also few Of
the arguments which may be adduced in support
OF those principles, which it is our fixed purpose
to disseminate and maintain with all the moral
power we possess.
The tmes are posentous- Ave live in pc
riod, )" says Chancellor Kent, ''of uncommon ex-
element. The spirit Of the age is restless, pre-
sumptuous, and revolutionary. The rapidly in
creasng appetite for weath-the iRordinate taste
for luxury which it engenders--,he vehement
spirit of speculation, and the selfish emulation
which it creates-the growing contempt for slow
and moderate gans-the ardent thirst or pleasure
and amusement--the diminishing reverence for
the wisdom OF the past--the disregard for the
lessons of experience and the authority of the
magstracy, are so many bad symptoms Of the dis
eased state of the public mind"
We believe that this is owing principally to the
increase Of foreigners and foreign influence; the
introduction and growth of foreign principles,
customs, and habits. All this is moving onward,
like flood that gathers additional power as it
goes; and in it, believe, there is danger of our
own customs and institutions-yea, and Of our
independence itself, being merged and lost. Let
US look the danger in the face, and avert it while
we have the power. '''lt were better to meet
some dangers half way says Lord Bacon,
Though they come nothing near, than 10 keep
too long watch upon their approaches; for, if a
man watch too long it is odds he will fall asleep"
II verify believe" says Mr.. Jefferson, in letter
to John Taylor, '.things would 60 on well with
us under an absolute monarchy, while our present
character remains, Of order, industry, and Lore
of peace, and restrained, as he would he, by the
proper spirit of the people. But it is achile 1t
remains such, zoe should prsride against the
consequences of its deterioraiion.' If it were
necessary then, when the character of the people
was such as he describes it, to provide against
distant evils, how much more important is ilnow,
when the character of the people has suffered de-
terioration, and the danger is near! Again, the
same author remarks, 1.-The time TO guard against
corruption and tyranny is before they shall have
gotten hold on us; it is better to keep the wolf
out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth
and ts.ons after he has entered"
The leading principles Of our Association is
to effect the repeal of our Naturalization laws.
We will never cease our efforts until that great
object shall be accomplished. Our Association
is composed of men protesting almost all politi-
cal and religious creeds; are linked together
by one common tie--the love of liberty, and the
desire to transmit, unimpalred, to posterity, the
sacred institutions which have descended to us
from the fathers of our nations independence.
lin union there is strength But, in follow
ing ont this maxim, we follow, sn seli-defence,
their example, whose baneful influence it is, in
part our purpose to counterfeit
The influence Of associations of foreigners over
the politics Of our country has taught this les
son: that, if we would correct the growing evils
of foreign emigration, we must meet them on
their own ground, and fight them in their own
way. We mast know our strength, and use it;
must agree in principle, and move together in
action. The Simultaneous efforts Of a hundred
men can raise weight which ten thousand lifting
singly cats1,ot move. We therefore exhort most
earnestly, all native Americans every where to
form, without delay, similar associations for, SIN
union there IS strength"
This Associations is composed exclusively of
natives; not that we suppose none of our natural
lied fellowctlZens are worthy 20 be united with
as: on the contrary, there are many whom we
not only respect and esteem for their virtues and
love as friends and neighbors, but believe to be
true and warm hearted friends ofour Government;
nevertheless, the ardent temperament of some
and the ever .dnrlng and natur-l predictions of
all for their counrymen and native land, would
reader them perfectly heterogeneous, and conse-
quently unfit as component paris for such an AS
soeiation.
1t has been the policy of all nations but ours
not to confer on aliens political rights and immu-
mites. in 30 high degree as they arc enjoyed by
natives. Mankind seem 10 be impressed with the
belief thai our predictions SO thoroughly in
terwoyen with the land of our birth, and with our
eary associations, that they never can he com
petel, separated; and, consequently, that ma
tons highest favors ought not 10 be conferred on
those whose feelings and affections are SO firmly
linked with another paop'o.