American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-29


required IN our present naturalization latcS,
for The protection Of american Institutions.
Delivered in House of Representatives, Dec 49, I8I5
Mr.. Levin sad The gentleman who last
occupied the floor has been anxious to pro-
claim the death of Native Americani5m. Sir,
it Is a principle that can never die. 1t is part
and parcel of the country ITSELF and as natu-
raj to our soil as the mountains that rise in the
clouds, or the rivers that water our plains
The principle which binds US together is one
SO irresIstby attractive, as to promise us Il
large majority OF the people of these United
States, as friends and supporters, aFrayed in
the armor Of TRUTH and inspired by the enthu-
siasm of patriotism. That principle, sir, is a
living principle. 1t is no abstraction. 1t is
an embodied vitality of ali that is pure in life,
lofty in patriotism, and sublime in achieve
ment, 1t is identified with the birth of the
republic-the day-hash Of our liberty-the ma
tunty OF our independence, and the establish
lnent OF our glorious constitution. 1t is rCcog-
nlsed as fame. 1t is cons2crated as glory
The farmer at his plough feels its warmth in
his heart. The boy at school, as his peach
bloom cheek flshes with pride, shoots bright
er glance from his eye, at the thought of the
name, that is itself that principle, aud which
quers argument, and scars above sCorn, con-
tempt and hatred Is it necessary that should
mention the name, when there is but one that
corresponds with the definition? And yet so
heavy have become the foreign mists that OBJ
scure mems minds, who lose all the pride of
the past in the selfishness of the present, that
lind myself constrained to give breath to a
charm that shall usher our adversaries into tho
very flood Of monday light. The name sir,
that embodes our principles is that of George
Washington. IT, then, any discredt can at
tach to being a native American, for one
plead guilty, and fling myself upon the mercy
OF an age recreant to the principles of the re-
volution, and dead to the claims of country.
Will those who prefer to worship the Pagan
idols Of foreign affairs, Il speak rolitically,)
show mercy to one who claims the feelings and
sympathies incident to fellowship Of birth
right with George Washngton-one who dare
without quaihng before rdcule, OF bltshng at
the ribald jest of the inlidel scorner, lay his
hand upon the Bible as the rock of his faith,
and hold the constitution to his heart as the
monitor of his political duty--one who, what
ever may be his fate on this stage Of action, is
content TO abide by the verdict OF a tribunal in
which human iralty has no share.
AS native Americans, desire to erect od
dtional bulwarks for the protection OF Ameri-
can institutions from foreign influence; and no
sooner is the proposition made, than we are
told that we arc indebted to that very foreign
influence for the birth of American ireedom.-
The gentleman from Maryland MIR. Gilesl
reminds us of debt Of gratitude we owe to
France, for her friendly aid in achieving oul
independence. Has the gentleman forgotten
that France has been paid some fifty millions
of dollars for all her services, out OF the spo-
l,,4, f. Hoo. r,T1-
merce; that the brave Lafayette has been en-
riched by our bounty; and that money and
pensions have been literally showered upon all
foreigners worthy Of that bounty. As itr,
then, as foreign aid contributed to our indie
pendence, it has been repaid with Il generosity
without parallel in the history OF nations,
and to an extent That leaves not much for tho
parties to boast Of on the score Of dsInterested
chiValry or heroic love Of freedom, 50 well
paid for has been every blow struck by foreign
ers in ,he cause Of our Independence. When
gratitude, then, is appealed to as Il sentiment
whose force ought - Gisarm Justice, roycrs}
the decisions Of reason, and ptrvert the true
American policy from the attitude Of sclt-de-
fence against foreign contannnatlon let us not
forget that all lis romance has vanished in the
juggling purse that has so amply paid for what
eventually resolved itself into u mcrcenary
service. now speak Of France, and the TO-
reign officers paid for their services. With no
common pleasure do | record Lafayette as q
glorious exception TO the rule. With generous
ardor did he sacrifice in the cause Of American
freedam with generous ardor our proud re-
public has repaid the voluntary homage OIL
his virtuous devotion to the cause of human
rights. What, then, is our debt of gratitude
to foreigners for American independence? Ar
, account has been rendered, and the balance
struck; receipt in full has passed between
us; and yet, after this plain mercantile trans
action, we are often reminded of the debt o
gratitude we owe to the Old World for Amer
can freedom. How monstrous the paradox
that the New World should be indebted to the
Old World for American freedom! Let u:
look at this question ill its actual relations.
The quarrel Of the monarchs of Europe
brought us France as an ally, not because hel
king could feel or fight for freedom, Cor the
idea is preposterous and absurd, that klng
would prepare the elements of destruction to
the overthrow of his own throne but because
he did feel hatred of rival monarchy Eng
land) and sought to crush her. Who before
has ever pretended that when France sent he
armies to this country she acted from love o
liberty, instead of hatred to England? boy
at the first form would spurn the ridiculous det
that France an absolute monarchy of ieuda
origin, would engage in our battles of freedom
from love of those principles that must eventu
ally undermine her own despotism But /
NAV be SAID that there is sentiment OF graft
tude in every human breast, which, rising SUI
perior to all mercenary considerations, emo
bles him who feels it. No doubt, there is suci
sentiment. Sacred be its throbs! but Wh
will urge such a sentiment as an argument 10
the destruction of his country's independence
or the overthrow of the rights of mani Shal
this sentiment urge US to the alteration OF mon
archy' Shall this sentiment wean us from tn
homage that every republican pays to freedom
On the contrary, the heart that swells wit
gratitude is the heart that burns with patriot