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

SO dreadful, we must repeal our Law of Ma
turalization. II is our only remedy.
The subject which we have thus presented
for the consideration Of our Native American
fellow-citlzens, is one--we repeat it-of the
utmost magnitude and importance, Never,
in fact, since the adoption of our Constitution
has there been one Which is more so. II con-
Germs our vital, our dearest interests. The
question before us is,-and it is lamentable
that we should be obliged to discuss such
question-whether we shall be ruled by For
eigners, or governed by ourselves? We 10
not speak Of the past. What las been done,
Is done and while experience tes,ifies the
error II mas nevertheless been committed,
anu we %.ust yield to it. The contract has
oee". made, and contracts should be fulfilled.
|! 1t is the law, and he is bad citizen who
would not render obedience to the law. NE
60 for it. Good, or bad-wise, or unwise,
polite, or not polite, we should support it.
In our country--under Our Government-the
freest, the wisest, the best adapted to the civil
condition of man, that the wisdom of man
kind ever devised-we have no necessity to
resort to the sword to repeal law, or remove
any other political grievance. The ballot
box is sufficient for this and hence our OBJ
servations in references to our Naturalization
Law apply to the future, and not to the past;
and whether that future shall be the scene
Of turmoil, discord, and perhaps even civil
war--or of peace, union, and prosperity, may
depend upon the course we shall pursue on
this subject. For, the principles which we
support are just-the evils which we would
guard against are awful--the rights which
we assert are unalienable ; and, if by legisla-
ton the latter will not be preserved, the
sword may again leap from its scabbard; and
the blood of our Native citizens may again
be compelled to flow to preserve them. We
DO not use this as the language of threat, but
of admonition-not of passion, but Of reason.
Why should we expose ourselves to Foreign
domination ! What is there in the past his
tory of our country-what in its present. that
indicates our inability to govern ourselves !!
Our Revolution---our glorious Revolution
our Revolution, which gave birth to some of
the most illustrious men that ever adorned
any age or nation; this Revolution, was it not
the work Of Native Americans! Our more
than seven years war, was it not waged by
Native Americans? Our Constitution-that
noblest fabric of the human mind, our boast,
our pride, and our glory, was it not also err
ected by the Natives of our land And,
though last mentioned, not least to be regard
ed-our Declaration Of Independence
bold and veracious manifesto Of nations
rights and nations wrongs-this too, is it
not the production of the mind of Native
American! With these monuments around
US, with the glory Of departed days stream
ing on our national character--with mass
OF talents and information amongst us unpar-
aleled in the annals of time--what Native
American can presume, that we are unable
to govern ourselves? And, if able, why
admit the Foreigner to interfere in our Gov
eminent?
We shall resume this subject in our next,
and will suggest the course which we think
should be adopted to ensure Repeal of our
Law of Naturalization.