Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-05-28
ELOQUENT REPLY

Mr. owen having been referred 10 by
Mr.. Wethered as foreigner, and ,ha, TOO,
IN a reprehensibte manner, Mr.. 0. made
the following scathing reply. in Congress-:
The gentleman spoke of me as one $50
lately subject of Great Britain!n don't
know what the gentleman understands BY
"lately." Eighteen years ago (then JUS,
entering manhood left the British mon
archy, and came 10 these shores. If that
was a crime, il was one that has often Teen
committed by the wisest and best 1t was
the crime of the pilgrim fathers. The
genilsman's own ancestors-he is not Of
Indian birth, sir laughter) and if he be
not, his own ancestors committed it,
Eighteen years ago, came to make my
home in this republic. Eighteen years
ago, settled in the West; then almost the
frontier West, and kindly and indulgently
did my adopted Stale receive me, and we'll
do love her for it. Eighteen years ago,
[ rehounced every allegiance to every So
vercign upon earth, save one-a free PEG
pie. That is my offence? That is the
extent of my crime!
But the gentleman from Maryland takes
exception 10 il, that am a naturalized citi-
zen only, should have opened such a debate
as this Sir, when look around this hall.
see two portraits, and but two adjoining
It, walls. The one, that of the father of
his country; an American truly by birth;
an American far more by the noble princi-
piles he cherished, by the glorious deeds
that have made his name the frst-the
brightest-on the page of human history!
The other-ay! sir. who IS the other!-
Let the gentleman from Maryland answer
me, whose portrait is the otheri A Euro
pean's, an aris;ocrat's, if to be born among
the aristocracy makes man one of them
selves; subject of an European king: one
bred up in the very atmosphere Of court
What does his portrait there1 Would i,
not DC we'll for the gentleman, the frst day
that resolutions are in order, to introduce
| QUE for the purpose of taking down-o
snatchirg from its station ,here-the por
trait of tina, man; of the good, the wise
the great, the venera.ed Lafayette; of him
whom this nation delighted to honor; oil
him who, when he sought these shores,
was received by America as never nation,
TILL then, received man? If |, because
am foreign born, be unworthy to open such
discussion as this, that portal, is unwor.
thy to lock upon. Yet wha. sacrile piou.
hand dare pluck it thence!
Sorry am |, sir. to recognise this bastard
spirit OF native Americanism here.
know that i, has had its brief hour in New
York; but | did not know that it was to
find its advocate, its partizan, in membe
of this House. Unworthy, sir-u,terly
unworthy is that narrow and ilIbsra
spirit 10 find representative in any legis
lative body-least of all, on the floor of ihs
Congress Of America. America is the lanc
no! Of one class, one tribe, one people
home, not for those only to whom favor
ing fortune has granted birth within it.
borders. The world claims birthright in
America! The world admits Anne rica'.
own claims to be .,hs land Of the free anc
the home Of the brave" The free claim
this for this country; foreign born
though | bel rightfully claim i. for my
country. 1t is mine by free selection, by
deliberate preference-the gentleman's BY
accident only. And now | am willing
judgment shall go and the decision be
made which Of US has the best Of it.