American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-18
[ For the American Republican.


| noticed an article over the signature of ''Se-
venth Ward" calling upon our citizens for an
organization of the American Republican par
! ty in this CITY, Indeed we think it is high time
that some steps should be taken towards the
humiliation of foreign influence in our city and
State, even if we cannot, as yet, succeed in
procuring reform of the laws relating to ma
turalizatlon, from Congress. If the Legislature
would, agreeably to Gov Pratts suggestion,
pass general Registry Law, and take other
measures equally effective (for we believe a
Registry law, rigidly enforced, would be effect
ive) for the suppression of the frauds which
have not only disgraced our State, but the
whole Union; we should then have fair and
candid expression of public opinion in our cleo
tons; but while the present state of affairs re-
main as they are, we shall have nothing more
than repetition of the same frauds and out
RACES, which were SO extensively practsed at
the late Presidential election, at our elections
which are to come. And surely these things
can be done. 1.-THE members of the present Le-
gislature of our State will not give US measures
| to guard and protect the purity of the Ballot
Box, can we not elect men of our o,cn party,
| of our o,cn sentiments, pledged to carry out our
views? Undoubtedly. By all MEANS then, let
us organize and 60 forward for "Our Country s
sake, and for the sake of the purity of our
country's elections"
Your correspondents 9th ward) suggestion
as to the mode of organization appears to US to
be very good; but allow me to ask, Messrs. Edi-
tors, with all the Difference due your more ma
ture opinion, expressed in your editorial article
Of the same date, whether it would not be bet
ter, after having organized, for the American
Republican party to convene a National Con-
IL, al 1. n
principles and opinions, which your correspon-
dent appears to desire to come from particu-
lar meeting, should be promulgated We think
so, and will assign our reasons. In the first
place, there would be atnanimity of opinion,
which could not result from particular meet
ings held in different cities, at which the opn-
ions of many of our friends in different parts of
the Union could not be represented; secondly,
with regard to the question: How long should
foreigners remain in our country previous to
their procuring their papers, or certificates of
naturalization? Now, Messrs. Editors, we think
this is subject which requires mature delbera-
ton, and it is one concerning which many of
our friends disagree; and lastly, with respect to
religious disputes which have been mixed up
with the opinions of the American Republicans
OF Philadelphia. There must not and we sim
cerely hope there will not, be any intolerance
or prescription for opinions sake in our princi-
ples;--much, indeed, depends upon this; for we
ourselves know many respectable and truly pa
trotlc ciLizens who while their hearts are with
our cause, hesitate about the propriety of con-
Meeting themselves with party whose name
has been connected with the outrages in sister
city. Give us principles based on right, your
correspondent remarks, and we mNSt succeed. !
We agree with him; and if they are free from
the non-republican principles of persecution
and prescription, we do not see any thing to
prevent the American Republican party from
succeeding in it's patriotic endeavors, and be-
coming the party of every man, who prefers the
good of his own country to the exclusion of all
Others. In short, gentlemen, we want princi-
pies, as your correspondent also observes, broad |
enough to embrace all citizens, native or natu-
rallied, who prefer the purity of our elections |
to the frauds, by which the elective franchise is
now disgraced. A TRUE AMERICAN.
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT NORFOLK. sim
gular and distressing affair occurred at the
house of William Harrison, on Fox street, in
Norfolk, on Wednesday afternoon, of which
the Herald gives the following account:
Ii appears that Mrs Collins, whose residence
ID In the vicinity OF rort barbour, accompa-
MED by her neice, Sarah Broughton, a young
girl about l9 years of age, had been down town
in the forenoon, and while on their return
home, being iatigued, they called at Mrs. Har-
dison's "a relation of Mrs. Collins) they found
Hardson and his wife at dinner; and while at
the table, Hardison (who appeared to be much
excted) drew pistol and said something about
the intrusion of cats upon his premises, and
threatening to shoot them. He then cooked
the pistol, which in few moments more was
fired, and the ball took effect upon Sarah, Just
below the left eyebrow, passing entirely through
the head and causing almost instant death =
We forbear for the present to notice other cir
cumstances calculated to criminate the wretch
cd man who has ca used the death of this young
and innocent girl. He went Immediately to
the Mayor and delivered himself up, declaring