Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-07-16

waved in triumph on the ramparts Of
York town, over the victorious allied ar
mics Of France and America? Why then
do you ask me TO aid you in excluding the
fellow-countrymen Of these men from the
protection and support of this same Star.
Spangled Banner And do you not know
that in that noble band which assembled
in our old State House on the morning Of
the memorable 9TH of July, l716, and
there signed and sealed that sacred instru.
ment which gave birth TO our nation, there
were many foreigners In that body
there was no seeking to exclude or pro-
scribe any one, because Of his birthplace
or religion, but al-all joined in plcdg ng
their lives, fortunes, and sacred honors, in
support Of the liberties of America.
And think you tina. these noble. hearted
patriots pledged their fortunes isked Their
lives aud all that was dear to them on
earth, merely that one race Of men-mere-
lv that those born on one spot Of earth
should enjoy the blessings of liberty and
free government ?--lhink you that those
brave soldiers of foreign birth fought side
by side with Washington and Gates, with
Green, Sumpter, Marion and Morgan,
merely that those born on this soil should
enjoy the fruits of their toll and suferingi
No, No. Our fathers fought and estab-
l>hed government that was Promised
"Asylum to the oppressed OF all nations"
where the defeated patriots OF all lands
and cllmes, whether he bore the cross of
Christ or the crescent of Mahomet, should
n 1H 4; bnna md "a plona
Or do you want more recent evidence of
the disposition OF those OF foreign birth
10 sustain and defend the "Star Spangled
Banner - Go 10 the plains of Chlppe-
wa Ito the battle grounds Of Bridgewater
and Fort Erlc-thers you will hnd that
the blood OF foreigners was freely poured
on; in defence of the American flag and
American institutions, and there you will
find the bleached and Wondering bones OF
foreigners ming led and commlnglcd with
those of native born citizens.
cannot therefore, without becoming
recrcant to the principles and purposes OF
our torelathers, Join with you in proscrib-
ing men because OF their birth place, or
in depriving them Of any OF those invalu-
able rights that it was the design Of those
sages they should enjoy.
But there is another equally powerful
reason why cannot Join your association.
hecent events have shown that the party
OF which 1t forms u part, would be a yery
dangerous one 10 entrust with power. La
ours, above all other countries, should the
law and the law only reign supreme. No
ont hail
ted on single individual or u BODY of
them, can under any circumstances Justify
or excuse a resort TO mob violence on the
part of those INJURED, to redress their
grievances or ayenge their wrongs, and
The party tina. resorts 10 such means is en-
tlrely unfit to have power in republican
country, and in my humble jud gment no
peace-lovng, orderly citizen, can consist
emily become attached toit. | cannot be-
long TO a patty that would wrest a man
from the custody and control Of an officer
OF the law, mangle and bruise him-beat
his head with paving stones, and when in
the apparent agonlcs OF death hang him
by tie neck in public market-house-
Christianity shuddsrs and humanity weeps
at The recent outrages OF your party, and
God grant tina: we may have no more Of
the evidences OF its ascendency.
And there is another reason why can.
not Join your association. Tbs whole en-
ergies Of The party of which it forms
part, are almost exclusively devoted 10 the
prescription and denunciatlon of one sect
of Christians. With the Roman Catholics
as religious sect have no part or lot,
having been born and reared in the Pro
testant faith but know that the Consti-
tuition o. my country declares that 'all
men have national and indelea sibe right
TO worship their Creator according TO The
dictates of their own conscience and
hope that SO long as God gives me BREATH
may hold in sacred remembrance this
wise provision. When saw from the
roof of my dwelling Oh the night of the
9Th OF May, the bright flame that en-
shrouded the lofty dome Of St. Augustine,
thought Of the Constitution Of my coun-
try. 1 thought OF those departed sages
who declared that In this land there should
be g liberty of conscience for all men"
thought Of that ancient bell whose tones
first proclaimed the glad tidings of Ameri |
can Independence L tuTUeu ana saw the |
redeemed spire and roof of the sacred Hall
of independence and the whole high vault
OF Heaven bush'ng in deep crimson at
the scene. turned aside and wept-not
for the cditice or its contents, for they |
were but dross, but | wept over our bleed
ing CONSTITUTIONAL the SO soon forgotten |
admonitions and precepts of our fathers -
a, the introduction of religious intolerance
and religious bigotry into our favored land
at the bright and glaring evidences Of
the existence in our midst of spiri, Of
persecution for opinion sake. am glad,
thrice glad, that did not hear the fend !
like shout that is said 10 have been gwen |
at the fall Of the cross that eEtopped the
dome Of St. Augustine. for i, would have
given me pain. Those who could exult at !
the fall of the emblem of that system of |
religion given 10 US by him ''who was
meek and lowly OF heart" must forget that
God wilt .'ha ;e mercy rather than sacri-
fees, and a knowledge of himself rather
than burnt offerings '-musl forget that we
are Commanded 10 "love one anoiher," !
and 10 :" do unto others as we would that |
thew should do unto MS -