The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-10-17

that even III our own country, blessed il
is-at east arc should think so-wit!l the
wisest institute ms in the world, state of
things may exist which shall arouse spirit
kindred 10 that Of rs, that we would urge
upon all Native Americans TO co operate with
US in the repeal of the Naturalization law.
That law mus, be repealed, or we shall be
subject TO the sway Of foreign domination.
| That law must be repealed, or we must wear
the. yoke which foreign paupers and 'scape-
gallowses may please 10 put upon our necks.
In thus appealing to Native Americans, we
beg it to be distinctly understood. that we do
not this in the spirit of party; for, although
we have seen with Indignation the adopted
citizens of our country called upon TO support
one Of the candidates Of the Presidency, on
the ground that his administration is pecu.
liarly favorable TO what the inso!ence of TO-
reign importation calls their claims-yet it
is not Tor the purposes of pa'ty--it is not to
elevate or depress either of those distinguish
ed candidates who are now before the people
that we have done So Higher interests than
those for which the parties are now contend
llng-prlncipcs much more important than
those by which they are divided, induce us
to make il; and until those principles are
firmly established, and those interests per-
manently sccured-until we have succeeded
in placing our Government in the hands Of
Native Americans--until we have put down
the mpertnence, the impudence, of foreign
mterfrrence-we shall pass by as unimpor-
tant every division of party which exists
among ourselves. What is it to a Native
American whether Van Buren, or Harri-
son shall fill the Presidential chair, in COM
parison to the question whether me shall 60
vern ourselves or be ruled by foreigners
What is it to a Native American whether a
National Bank shall be chartered, in compar-
son to the question whether the offices of
our Government shall be filled with our own
native citizens, or the men Of foreign lands?
We own that, whatever may be our opin-
ions upon these questions, and however
strong may be our predictions in favor of
one of the candidates, we regard these as mi
nor questions to the one now under consde-
ration. These, regard the mere policy of
certain measures; this, our birth-right. These,
respect the merit Of certain individuals, corr
corning whose qualifications men may no.
nestly differ in opinion; this, whether men,
almost always ignorant, and not unfrequently
abandoned to every vice, shall be the rulers Of
our land. And if the important right of suf.
frage-that right to which we owe whatever
of good or evil exists amongst us-that right
by which the President and every elective
officer Of our Government is electcd-is to
he granted to the forcigner-do we not thus
pvt into their hands the power of ruling us?
Ruled we must be by the majority Of the
people. This is the Constitution and the
law. We are proud Of the first, and bow
obedience to the last. But let this majority
be one Of our native citizens, and not of the
rabble of Europe. Let it he of men who by
right are the lords of the soil, and not of
those who have no right to touch even our
shores, and whose admission here flows not
from their right to come, but our country 10
admit them.
In considering this subject, we should re.
gard ourselves, and ourselves alone. A boun-
titul Providence has created a country which
we think is inferior 10 none in the world.
This country was once the domain of Eng
lands king, and we were his subjects.
Wrongs added to wrongs-oppression heap
ed upon ppression-roused in our ancestors
the spirit Of resistance. With one mighty
effort they burst asuuder the chains of the
tyrant, and, after a seven years war, COM
PEELED the proud lion to crouch before the
wi'hering glance Of the eagle of our land.
He. who had laid claim to orr soil-he. in
whose name we derived our title to every
inch Of ground We possessed-he, who had
called US rebels-lct go his grasp; and, with
the other powers Of Europe, acknowledged
our independence. Rut who effected all
this Oar native inrcfathers. it was they
who fought--they who conquered, and bv
their blood purchased that very land in which
we dwell. Shall 1t then be subject to the
rule of the foreigner? Stall he who is
stranger-hc whose heart is in another land
govern us2 Are we prepared to consent
to this! Are we prepared to yield to him
this high and important trust? Are we pre-
pared TO behold, with appreciation, the offices
of our Government filed by foreigners, 10
the exclusion Of the natives Of our and--to