The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-01-31

Il
citizen of this State heartily receive him
Son OF Humanity and lover of Freedom, upon this
Isolated, but powerless test into the bosom of our
Society. We wish this fact to be particularly cons-
dered, and to be carefully borne in mind, not only
| because II simplihes the question Of Repeal, and
| evinoes that spirit of Republican federation which
| furnishes truly American foundation which TO
place this important subject but because Of other
reasons. During the interval which has elapsed
since our last meeting, ii has been of pam 10
US 10 witness the harsh reproaches which have been
heaped on all who avowed themselves fre IDLY to this
| Association. The motives which have controlled
our body have been grossly impugned; the objects
which we have in contemplation mlsrepresented and
iraduced, and the attachment and fidelity Of those
| naturazed citizens " no members of this Society
| 10 their adopted country, vehemently called into
question. The simple statement of the chaTac
| ter and design OF the Association, already made
| which have never been departed from its
| formation, are deemed a sufficient answer TO
these misconceptions and calumnes.
| This Association has heard political sentiment
uttered with great warmth, through portion of the
public press upon which it feels called, before pro
ceeding to a consideration of more important matter,
to make brief note IL is that sentiment which is
not only hostile to the last degree to the policy Of
| foreign immigration To shores, from which Anne,
RIGA has heretofore resped great advantages, but
which teaches the unnatural and cruel docride, that
foreigner who becomes citizen Of our country must
at the moment of taking out his naturalization pa
pers not only become IN spirit and deed an American
| but that he must then "drnk of Lehe's stream"
stihe all the natural feelings of his heart, think
more of his 'iriends and kindred" across the ocean,
less fortunate in their desnes than he has been and
forget his Fatherland forever, with every wish for its
| redemption from misery and oppression, and every
hope of its social Improvement and moral and polit
cal prosperity. While humanity regards with no dis
favor proper degree Of individual restraint and sell
shness which stimulates every man to look closely to
his peculiar interests, leaving every other man to
look after his fortune, the doctrine to which we
have alluded, when considered in its plain bearing is
at the time revolving TO nature and Inconsistent
with the higher principles and purposes OF cviliza-
ton We readily admit that when a person born in
foreign county, becomes, after consulting all the
necessary legal acquisitions, citizen of our own, it
his first, here It is his necessary duty and plea
sure to acknowledge and obey to the letter all the
| responsibilities of his new condition But surely no
necessity has yet happened, or is likely to
arrive, which makes incumbent as matter Of duty
| or interest," on the part Of the nauraized citizen,
that in renouncng his allegiance to the government
under which he formerly lived, he should also
the sacred recollection OF his birth place, that
he should cease to cherish affections ''fJr the spot
where he was born" that he should to love
and to desire the happiness OF the friends and compa
Mons of his childhood that he should suddenly tear
from his breast those tender sympalhles, and those
quiet and holy memories which wound about the
soul by chords fastened by the hand of God himself
Thus does this monstrous doctrine demand of the
naturalized citizen, as indispensable condition of
his citizenship, and as qualification to attest his
worhness to enjoy republican Institutions that he be-
come COM letey stocal or brutal in feeling attaining
indeed to cold Indifference concerning hi, former
home, and friends, and Fatherand that their mis-
cry and prosperity thereafter shall be to him of
more value care than the dust which he shakes
! from his garments The Constitution of the United
States requires no such prerequisites. The Natural
ization laws are silent these modern doctrines
n fail IF he Co1ln
try, and patriots of the Revolution, contain such
irrational and proscriptive dogmas. This Associa-
ton feels conscious of the fact that very large
orlty of the people of this Union have neither hearts
nor ears for such narrow and detestable sentiments.
For while every naturazed citizen must by the
mere force of nature, reco from such contracted
ideas of philanthropy and patriotism every native
born citizen, in whose bosom beats generous
hrob OF nature or patriotic ardor cannot fail 10
pudatc such moral errors and political heresi.s.-
They feelingly comprehend that this affection for
native land" only subservient in point of force to
the love and duty which the citizens by choice feel
for their adopted home, their beloved and free Amer
ica and which lies at the foundation, and in truth
the living spirit that has urged the Repeal
ment this country is one of the most niallible Sc
curities which the Union possesses for their fidelity,
proved in all time to be irreproachabe to its int
rests. This abiding of love for their native
soil, like the strong and sacred affection which son
bears for his parents, after attaining years of matu-
them TO be neither brutal in feeling nor barbarous in
intellect 1t exhibits the first quality among those of
which freemen are composed
The Pilgrims who have fed from Ireand's wretch
ed Shores and who have become here naturalized
citizens, attracted by the golden sky of the West
where the son of liberty shines in meridian spendor
do not deserve TO be singled out men to whom
kind epithets and unjust sentiments should be ap-
piled. Nor do such sentiments afford any kind of
excuse for those Of her ho either 10 this or
other cimes, would forget despise their former
country, or who herd with the enemies of their ma
tive land. Her misfortunes should but redouble
their affection and yearnng for her peace and hapri-
ness, and induce them at least TO contribute their
pathy and encouragement in aid of the efforts of all
those who labor for her regener alton
Is the naturalzed lrlshman to be deemed danger
Gus to American nsti utions account Of his at
tachment to the crown Of Great Britain On the
contrary, this love OF the oud country" of oppress-
I'd Ireland make hem the friends OF Republican in
sIutions, and the hsers and lndefatig lble enemies
of England The Repealers OF the United States
viii hardly be accused of any favor for crown or
government of Great Britain at all dangerous to this
country, OF likely TO impair their allegiance to the
United States. No. We all deeply sympathize with
gallant people struggling peacefully for RICH, and
freedom. We sympaihze with the onward march of
Liberty with the quiet but irresistible progress Of POI
puar power and we rejoce at the pr babe approach
ing downfall of injustice and misrue. If these feel
ings are dangerous to the spirit of the institutions of
our country, then have they become grievousy chang
ed. lift be offence IN America to love liberty and
hate oppression, then are guilty, indeed, and the
nauralized citizens who belong TO our Society de-
serve TO be stigmatzed foreigners and aliens, and
require no such sentiments those upon which we
have been remarking make them hated and DIES pi-
cable.
The Repeaers Of Philadelphia, whether natural
Ized or native born citizens, fearessy declare that
they will yield 10 no whatever in attachment
and devotion to the laws and institutions Of theroo un-
try. They proclaim that they are ready and willing
to risk their all in defending and supporting the 90
vernment when periled by foreign and domestic foes
And should the eIigency arise, when the lber
ties of these States shall require the patriot to lay
down his life N their service, the who have
not forgotten the land Of their birth in the hour Of
her adversely and heir safety and prosperity, will be
found among the foremost ranks of those who 60 forth
to sacrifice their lives and fortunes the altar of hat