New-York daily tribune., 1844-12-06
THE TRIBUNE.
The Native Question.

tha Native Americans" in their attempt to 81.
feet a new organization against foreign Influence.
The arguments used are plausible, and at first
view might lead the unwary astray. But would
the position be tenable and calculated to produce
the desired effect7 I believe not. After delibe-
rately surveying the whole ground, am irreslst-
IDLY led to the conclusion that it would be the very
measure our opponents most desire. 1t would be
unwise in its conceptions, and fatal to the inte-
rests of our country in its results.
1t is indeed true that the great crisis, against
which the father of his country raised his warn
ing voice, has at length arrived. With the fate
of ruined Poland fresh in his recollection, ne SOL
emnly warned his countrymen to beware of ad-
mitting foreign influence in our elections We
have now, for the first time, heard the parricidal
voice of our opponents, through their principal
press, invoking foreigners by name to aid their
party in the war against tie truly American
system" Most fatally for the best interests Of
our country has that invitation been accepted;
and we have seen those foreigners whom we had
admitted TO participation in our rights as
Americans, forgetting the generous confidence
which had been reposed In them-forgetting The
naturalization oath, by which they sOlemaly
suore to be Americans-now rallying as French
men, az Germans, as Ii islImen-in one word ex-
pressly toreignerS-with all their foreign feel
ings, interests and preudices, as strongly anElat-
ing them as If they still trod their nat'1e soil
We have seen these men, SO invited, and so ac
tuated, rush into the arena, and blythe aid Of
their friends abroad, decide the future policy Of
this hitherto independent nation. Yes, for the
first time in our history, the policy of this coun
try has been decided by foreigners, and in their
foreign capacity
Ii this state of things is to be continued, it
needs no warning voice from the grave to tell
us what will be the consequence. To any party
that uses the weapon, it will prove too edged
sword, and cut both ways through the vitals OF
our country. Every party, every interest, will
in turn be It's victim; and upon none Will the
cusre fall heavier than upon the adopted citizens
themselves These deluded instruments Of fac
ton, alternately courted and spurned, will be
lies must and ,oilL see, that If foreign influence
Is 20 decide our elections, then farewell TO irec-
doc, and independence! Ii our national policy
is 10 be controlled by foreign interests, our inde
pendence viii be bat en- empty name, and tue
ploud of our revolutionary fathers Will have been
shed in valn
But this condition of things is not yet natural.
lied among us; and it should be the object of all
good men to prevent lis ever being SO. The late
result was but the repzed effort of iis irIitated
agents, many of whon,, upon csiai deperation,
will deprecate the effect of their own work-
Thousands and tens of thousands Of our adopted
citizens have become such with an honest and
sincere purpose TO be Americans, III heart and IN
interest. Having left their own country from
disgust at lis unequal institutions, and with a de
sire 10 escape The exactions, the burdens and
expressions of the Old World. they have sought
equality, liberty and Sc the pursuit OF happir ess,
under the protection of our Institutions. How
ever their national preudioes, feelings, and sup
posed interests may lnger among such men, they
still propose to make this land their home, and
the home of their children. They cannot help
seeing that, after they and their children have
become fully amaIgamated with the great body
of American citizens, their prosperity will be
identified with ours; the American policy will
become their policy. And if new influx of for
eigners shall hereafter cerne in, and attempt to
control them and theirs, when so Americanized-
shall attempt to impose upon them rulers of for
eign selection, and subject them to foreign inte-
rests, these men will see the dangerous conse-
ouences of such interference, and rally under the
American standard. So now, If not gcaded on
by the intemperance Of natiue seal, they VIII,
with prudent forecast, see the dangers OF their
present position, and before it is too late retract
their late false step. A position which, should 1t
become permanent will make them a common
rarge, between the fury of contending parties-
and if, Sampson like, they should succeed in
milling down the temple Of liberty upon our
.,ouet hocop,n fellow, with ia
under lts runs
II then, there were no other reasons against
the proposed change of parties, would it be wise,
would It be in accordance with the principles we
have always professed, TO goad these men on to
madness, and thus make that state Of things per-
7aonent, which is but The transient effect, the
frenzicd out.b break of a mistaken and misguided
irritation We say no. And by all the fatsi
consequences which will overwhelm our country
and its best interests, if such door shall be
Kept open for foreign influence, we conJure our
friends to pause before they take this step. Let
them at least wait and see what heaing time
may " bring under his wings" Thousands upon
thousands of adopted citizens, Ii is believed. al
ready see the hazard Of their position. cave
them time and opportunity TO abandonit. And
not until forbearance shall cease to be virtue,
le. so desperate remedy as prescription be
adopted. ..
bu, there are pther, and insuperable objections
to the proposed change. Tho Wing party IS the the
depository and guardian of these great national
principles upon which freedom and the public
prosperity depend. From the very origin OF the
term, the Wings in all countries where it has pre-
vailed, have been the sturdy and unfinching op-
ponents of the extension Of Ezscutipe po'oer,
ard influence; the champions of Increasing and
preserving the pO,oer Of the people: II was TINS
principle which produced and guided the Revo
luicn. Our opponents are in favor of the one
man po,ser. They laud and suppor, every usur-
patton Of the Executive.
We are opposed to two Presidential terlns-to
prevent the frs, from being spent in corrupty
paving the way to second election.
We are in favor Of Distribution because the
public lands belong to the people. But more es-
pecisily to prevent them from becoming Prss'-
DENTAL corruption. fnr,d, with which the Execu.
tive char may be purchased BY the highest