The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-02-05
FACTS, NOT FANCIES.

Every observing and rejecting man in
the country must have noticed with sor-
row and alarm the constantly increasing
current of ignorance, intolerance pFeju-
dice, pauperism and vice, setting from
Europe to America Every year is
marked by mightier influx of foreigners
Many of these are worthy industrious
persons and an honor to the country Of
their adoption. But by far the greater
portion are of the character already
named-ignorant, intolerant, prejudiced
needy and vicious.
The North British ReUiew, the organ
of the Free Church of Scotland, and said
to be under the control of DIR. Chalmers,
in an article on a recently published
work, on the United States, by Hugh
Murray F. r. S E., holds following Ian
guage on this subject
"The United States have had very
great di: advantages TO contend with in
regard to1he character and circumstances
oftheir population, and for these we are
not always disposed to make sufficient al
lowance. They were sprung indeed
from most noble stocks, the English Puri-
tans, the Scotch and Irish Presbyterians,
and the French Hugenots A nobler
ancestry than this the world could not
have furnished, and TO their descent from
these men, and to the principles derived
from them, do the inhabitants ofihe Uni
ted States owe almost everything that has
hitherto contributed to their prosperity
and their virtue. to their greatness and
their happiness. But the character of a
large portion of those who have emigrated
to the United States since they achieved
their independence, has been very DIFF
ferent from that of the original settlers
Instead ofbeing the elite, they have been
commonly the refuse and ofiacourings of
the nations Of Europe Instead of being
men, who, like mcst olth orI inal set
tiers, were animated by the fear of God,
and were determined To enjoy the bless
inrs of civil and religions liberty which
in Europe were denied to them, they have
most commonly been needy Gdventurers,
and men who fled from justice, without
character, without resources, without any
wholes ONE influence to restrain and reg
uIate them. The character of these emf
grants has exerted an injurious Influence
upon the population ofthe United States,
and has tended materially to strengthen
the power of evil and to obstruct the IN
fluence of the exer;ions made TO promote
the cause Of religion and morality. In
several parts of ScotlnnG, the religious
and moral character of the inhabitants has
been grieyously injured by the influx of
Irish Roman Catholics, and the same
cause has operated extensively IN the
United S tates. 1t is understood that
about 20, GOO persons emigrate everY year
from Europe to that country, and that
about so 900 Of these are Roman Catho-
lies. chiefly from Ireland and Germany;
and the influx of such body tends great
" not merely to increase the relatiTe
strength of the Church of Rome, but to
degrade the general morality of the ON
munity."
The truth Of these remarks will be ad-
mitted by all who have no selfish OBJECT
in view, in denying them. They will DC
admitted too, by a great many who have
no very clear comprehension OF the meas
nTe Of their truth. Let US call the atten-
tion of such to few facts, not for thePnr
nose of creating undue alarm or excite
ment. but that we may look the evil full
in the face, and e prepared to act IN
derstandingly should occasion demand ii,
or the opportunity offer.
OF the number of foreigners who an
nualIy arrive on our shores. me estimate
NAV be made from the following table, I
from the State Department at Washing
ton. The Table gives the number rePor-
ted for the year ending Sept. Both, ls44
II should be remembered that large
portion of the poorer class of emIgrants
are not reported. Ship Masters carrying
/. LARGER number than allowable by law, a
frequent case, take special care to make