The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-05
NATIVE AMERICANS.


We have observed of late that this party of
pr0fesSed patriots, who raise such .shue and cry''
about foreign Influence being dangerous to our in
stitulons, have aroused themselves up to nnwon,ed
energy. and are talking and boasting loudly of
what they expect and are determined at all haz-
ards to accomplish. They speak of ga grand mass
meeting" at Lowell, Massachusetts. in terms of
eXultatIon, while others. "who see not as they
see and feel not as they feel'' reprobate their
course in the strongest and most decided terms.
That there may be honest men and true patriots
in the ranks of "the Natives" we shall not for
moment question. Doubtless they are to he found
IN the ranks of all parties in this country. But,
we would enter solemn protest against the
the anti-American policy and principles they ad-
vocate. What is their doctrine, but that the on
pressed shall be oppressed still? That America
shall no longer be place CT refuge and repose
from the despniling hand of power?
Is it true. then, that having through the heroic
sutfeTngs of our ancestors, who, let it be borne in
mind, were foreigners when they found this will
derness home, obtained glorious security for
ourselves against the arbitrary exercise of power.
we would now scornfully and heartessly turn
with frowning brow upon those who would like
them seek an asylum of repose, where both polit-
lcai liberty and religious liberation might be en-
joyed we repeat, can we, ought we to close our
doors, the doors of hope, upon them, and declare
sce are well enough secured, we care not for vou2
Shall we declare we will disfranchise or DENY the
right OF suffrage to all whose lot it has been to be
born without own dominions? Whose merit
it is that we may ourselves glory in the name of
Americans? Did we direct and determine the
place of our birth? How then can we minute
to others as a crime or desire TO make ground of
a permanent and most important disability the
want OF that which being possessed we cannot
claim to ourselves as matter of merit2 But why
need we deny an asylum TO those who need re-
fnge? Have we not plenty of room for them +?
Can they rot, in fact, become highly serviceable
to us as natiOn2 If they prove industrious and
good citizens there can be no doubt of their aid in
developing the vast and almost unbounded re
source sofour country. Our wide and waste domain
needs cultivation, requires thousands of hands to
labor, and heads to direct that labor in order that
we shall enjoy the highest degree of prosperity
and power. The millions of acres in the west
~ ''''"''"' '"' t''ey may supply me
greatest amount possible of human comforts, and
be crowned by the greatest amount of human han
Plness. The blessings we enjoy are susceptible
OF being disseminated without being diminished
to us Would we offer the highest inducement
to those who come to dwell with u.s. for becoming
the best of citizens? Let US grant them all the
privileges of citizenship, and render it their in
tereSt, as well as pride tn do oood mot oyU !, or.
midst. Would we put them upon their good be-
havIour, open to them the foil reward for their
well-doing. Let them reap the full reward of
serving their adopted country with fidelity and
understanding. Then we may expect on their
part proper knowledge and respect for our nsti-
tutonS.