The native American., 1840-10-24

their most precious legacies-a right to which
we in truth owe whatever Of renown, OF ma
,ional character and prosperity we possess
shall be confined to Native Americans, or be-
slowed on that vagahond population OF Eu-
rope which comes TO our shores, upon the
same principle that migratory flock Of birds
visits them in winter. This we consider as
a question SO important in every aspect in
which il can be view ed, and SO intimately
come, ted with our most vital interests, that
all Others, in our estimate, dwindle into in.
significance, when compared to 1t. But, al
though this is the case, and although the Ma
tive American shall not, in our hands, be-
come the vehicle for either Of the political
parlies TO send forth their missiles against
each other, yet we shall occasionally discuss
some OF those principles, as principles, and
express our sentiments on them. We are
Americans, and have a right 10 do this. WEI
are Native Americans and are deeply inte-
rested in whatever concerns our native land.
On the subject Of prescription we shall there
fore proceed to offer our sentiments, with the
freedom which belongs to an American, and
we hope with that courtesy which should
characterize good manners.
IF we understand the doctrine OF proscrp-
ton, it is this that mana clerk, Tor IN
stance-should be prescribed from Office, on
account ofhs political principles. This, them
is the question for our discussion; and we
hold that the soundness of this principle will
depend entirely upon the character OF the po-
li,cal principles themselves. II these prln-
ciples are monarchical, they are against our
Government; and surely the man who pro-
fesses them should not participate III the Ia
vors of this Government. II they are kin
dred TO those diabolical ones which we find
in those monsters which England vomited
on our shores-an Owen and a Wright-if,
like Bronson's, they war against morals and
reigion-if they attack every principle which
for ages has found the whole Christian world
united in supporing-if they inveigA even
agains, the sacredness Of marriage, and sane
ton the ipfidelities Of this state as among the
rights which belong to the paries--if they
ESSAY to render the whole body of the clergy
hateful by the most foul misrepresentation
Of their character--if they would infuse into
the breasts of The poor (poor, we mean, by
comparison; for, thank Heaven! except the
foreign paupers as mere body, we have not
such in our land) the most deadly hatred
against the weal,hy--if they would from ho-
nesty and integrity scatter them among the
idle and the wor,hless--if they would do this
or any part Of this--they are against all 60
vernment--and he who possesses such prin-
ciples, should no more share the patronage
OF our Government, than he should be per-
mitted 10 associate in virtuous and respect
able society. But here we stop. Is ne a
friend to our Constitution Then, on this
score he may be trusted. Is he a native o.
our country? Then, unless he is monster,
he must love it. Does he support the su-
premacy of the law! Then he may be en-
trusted with its execution. Has he the quail
fications to discharge the duties of the Office
in which he is found Then, in general, let
him remain in il. We say IN general because
there is all exception or two TO this rule,
which we shall hereafter point out. AT pre-
sent, we will pursue our reflections upon
this subject.
1t will not be denied by any one who is ac-
quain,ed with our Constitution, that it is the
right of every citizen Of our country to form
and express his opinion upon our political
men and measures; and with this right, and
with minds so differently constructed as ours
are from each other, it is not wonderful that
we should differ as much as we do, and arrive
at such contrary conclusions. The Consti-
tuition is work. which many read, and which
they expound in different ways; but every
difference Of opinion is not a difference Of
principle. According to the vision Of Gene
raj Washington, our Constitution gives to the
General Government the power Of establish
Ing Hd'londl jain, anu He uhcICloAC sishcu
the bill which established it, According to
Mr.. Jefferson's view Of this instrument, he
saw no such power granted to Congress, and
therefore he would not have signed it. Here
was difference Of opinion; but who will say
that there was any difference Of principle 3
who, exceptit be some impudent foreign rem
egado, who like Cheetham and Culender,
were ready to do any dirty work for pay,
will dare to assert that General Washington