The native American., 1840-01-11


:. N.,;v. Americans are precisely those upon
which all nations act in their intercourse with each
other and also those which regulate the civil con-
d,ct Of men in the everyday concerns of life
viz the principles of sell-prcservaion, seIi-de-
r.,ca and the welfare of home and neighbcr-
bood The first law of nature teaches man
the protection Of his own rights, property ana
happiness. His guardianship of these, is ever
wakeful and instructive. The stranger who
enters his door is not received as an inmate on
familiar terms. Whatever his appearance or
professions, he must undergo rigid ordeal Of
acquaintance, to prove his integrity, his tastes
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. he can be accepted as
member Of the household, on footing OF equal
;tv. He must prove himself to be worthy OF
confidence before he receives it.
The same principle operates lhroughontsoc'e-
ty. A new resident who comes into commu-
nity, must undergo severe scrutiny ana 'or u
long time be looked upon with jealousy ana
susn;cion before he can be received into soclety
ON those terms Of good will and intimacy, which
the inhabitants accord to each other Common
prudence withhods from him the hand ct fellow
ship, until time and acquaintance nave mac
known his character and worth
These principles are part Of our nature
they operate everywhere, among barbalians as
vel, as christians. 1t is one thing to give
stranger hospitality for day, and another thing
to extend to him those favors and privileges,
which by common consent are due only to wen
known merit and long proved integrity Even
cur own laws recognize the same principle as
having an important bearing upon the political
welfare of the community. State laws require
citizen removing from one county 10 ano'he''
TO reside a limited time before he can exercise
the privilege of an elector; and in removing 20
another state, he must serve probation OF one
or two wears, before he can be freeman in his
new residence.
An American citizen of New York, whatever
his standing or character for patriotism, cannot
become citizen of Virginia by removing into
the State He cannot carry his citizenship along
with him. The laws of Virginia look upon him
as alien and foreigner, opposed to her utter
ess, until he has complied with her terms of be-
ing made citizen. He must reside long enough
to become acquainted with her laws and pecu-
liar institutions, and show his confo rmty to her
State policy. 1t is presumed in all cases, that
man caunot become good citizen, and be en-
titled to all the privileges of society, until suf
fcient time is given him to become acquainted
with the customs, the interests, and the sectional
policy Of his new location.
And if these guards are interposed to the cit
izenship of Native Americans-of men whose
forefathers assisted to form our republican organ
ization--of men who have :he1 :..h:hea reverence
and respect for our government from their very
infancy-who have not only st udied democracy
as a SCIENCE and as an interesting chapter in his
tory, but have seen the workings and felt the,
influence of democratic institutions all their lives
we may well ask how long it will require for
eigners to obtain such knowledge and regard
for our system of government, that they may ex-
ercise all the privileges Of freemen with safety
and honor to the country? Suppose them to
have as ardent love for liberty and equality, as
Sidney or an Emmett, it is only the beau ideal
they worship, for they know nothing of repub-
licanism, but in theory and name. Every prac-
tical lesson Of government they have ever lear
ned, is either positive power on one hand, and
implicit obedience on the other as in the mon
arches of the continent; or ofprivieged classes
and hereditary honors, in free and happy Eng
land. Every principle of government they have
seen in operation at home, is an antagonist prin-
ciple to the institutions of our country, in which
they have now full liberty to share. We ask this
r. of -; ~ Il
as Americans--in the name of common prudence
and common sense. And the day will come
we hope before the youth of our country are
taught that mental and moral subsection to their
supesiors, is a primary duty-we say the day
viii come, when our countrymen will ask this
question. also.
A