American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-10
FRIDAY MOANING, JAN, 10, 1916.

NArrrIsn. An effort has been made to as
sign the origin of Nativism to the Hartford Con
venton, but il can be traced to a much higher
source--:o the Father of his country, George
Westinghouse that whatever of demerit there
may be in giving preference to our own coun-
trymen over those of foreign birth, must attach
to HIM. lie was not ashamed of being ma
tive, whatever more degenerate individuals of
the present day may be- In their eyes it may
he deemed dscreditable to have been born on
American soil; and it is not surprising that men
who entertain such sentiments, should be will
ia,g to welcome the criminals and paupers of
Europe as companions and equals, entitled to-
take rank with, if not precedence of, Native
Americans. But we hold to no such princ-
pies; for we confess that we have the weakness
to he attached to the soil of our birth, and to
the government which our fathers assisted to
establish. We glory IN the name of American:
and so highly DO we cherish the privileges
which it coniors, that we are not willing to see
them conferred upou the transported convicts
of other countries however we may be dispos-
ed to permit them to be enjoyed by the worthy
and deserving emlgrant. The native Ameri-
can who speaks of nativtsm in ridiculc or CON
tempt, isa renegade in principle and unworthy
the country which gave him birth; for attach
ment to the land of our nativity is inherent in
all who have souls to feel or principles to be
respected. The oppressed exile casts ia long
ing, lingering look to the home of his child
hood, and holds in fond remembrance his ia
tive land. Bat here, in the United States, un-
der the most free and liberal institutions upon
earth, men are found who shrink when the
epithet native is applied to them, as though it.
implied guilt or disgrace We hold such men
in utter contempt. II is our boast that we were
born in this free ldnd and if ever we should be-
come so base-so lost 10 the finer feelings of the
human heart-as to disown or be ashamed of
our nativity, we hope that we shall be COM
PEELED to submit to be ruled by the foreign con-
Sicts who are thrust upon our shores.
We have said that .Aairiym could be traced
to Washington, and we now submit as evidence
of that fact, the following extracts fiom his
letters taken from "Sparks' Life of Washing
ton,n by 4 correspondent Of the st. Louis A.
mcrican. From these it will be seen that this
great and good man, even al Il crisis when all
assistance was desirable, avowed his preference
of natives over strangers. Now foreigners are
emptied upon our shores by the policy of their
governments and thrust themselves into our
political affairs before they understand IA word
of our language-and are ready to swear to
support constitution which they do not even
know has existence. And it is for endeavor
ing to arrest this intolerable evil, that Amcri-
can Republicans are revled by those who con-
slider it reproach to be called natives:
MoRRIsTowN, 18th May, l777.
To Richard Henry Lee:
Dear Sir take the liberty to ask you what
Congress expects am to do with the many for
cigners they have at different times promoted
TO the rank of field officers, and by their last re-
solve, two to that of Colonies: These men
have no attachment to the country further than
Interest binds them. Our officers think it ey-
ceedingly hard after they have toied in the |.
service, and have sustained many losses, to
have strangers put over them whose merit per-
haps Is not equal to their own, but whose eff
frontery will take no denial i \ . 1t is by
the zeal and activity of our own people that the
cause must be supported, and not by a few hun
ory Adventures. am, &c.
G. WASHINGTON. |
[Vol. Nv. ?. 423.