The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-09-24
From the Times & keystone.
who are the ttForeigners.v

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That there is party existing in this
country whose principles are at war with
the spirit of our free institutions, and
diametrically opposed to the pure doc
trines of the christian religion, is fac
too notorious to require proof. Ii is the
sChristian party 10 politics proposed sew
eral years ago, by Rev. Doctor Of the
church militant, by which he hoped that
the whole political power Of this country
should, in NV eaty years, be wlel ded by
particmarreligious denominations. This
Christian--or rather anti Christian party,
makes up 10 zeal and fanaticism, what 1t
lacks in p,int of numbers, standing, and
political influence. Composed generally
of intolerant and proscriptve relg Gus
bigots, they are violen ,,unscrupulous and
uncharitable to the last degree; and only
want the power to reenact the bloody laws
aud penalties which disgraced the statute
books OF some of the New England States
in by-gone days. The spirit which whip
ped and banished the Quakers, hung the
Baptists, and burnt supposed witches, still
exists; the snake:is scotched, not killed.
il hisses as 6ercey as ever in its filthy
den, but lacks the power to harm.
In the days of religious intolerance and
anti christian persecution for opinion
sake, when persons birthplace is re,
corded to his credit or dsgtace-it seems
proper that the question we have asked
at the head of this article, should be con.
sidered and answered.
The political Natives Of the present day
substitute birth for every known virtue
and excellence; it is an apology for every
fault, a shield for every wrong. They ap-
pear TO imagine that if a man did not hap
pen to be born iu. a particular country, he
is fair game and may be safely hunted
j down like avid beast. Instead Of judg.
ing Of man by his capacity, patriotism,
principles and general conduct they judge
him only by his religious creed, aud the
place where he happened to be born. We
repudiate all such vile not otions--such anti
American opinions-such anti christian
doctrines. We hold no man responsible
for what lie could not help. We main
tain that no man is to be praised or blam
ed for wha, he could neither foresee no
prevent. The accident Of birth happen
without our knowledge--without an
over which we have no possible c,ntrol
and one for which we neither can b.
praised der eensureh Ia the eye, ofese
nv true American, ay, ofevers true Cbfis
tian, tie man born upon the other sile o
the globe, 10 no less respectable aud de
serving on that account, than the con
temptiole upstar who swaggers and boas'
u fiat he was born in Virginia or Sou'
Carottaa. This marrow spirit OF unadn
terated meanness we utterly abhor. Il
vulgar prejudice which caa only be en-
tertafned by the weakest minds. HI
Christian and the Patriot look upon al
men as brethren.-m i'd e Of one bloJd--al
belonging TO one common tamil l)-and al
equally welcome to this glorious restln
place ofliberty and the light of heaven.
But the question is stll unanswered
swho are foreigners!
Et We assume the position, aud we aft Il
that il is au incoutrovertibIe one, tha
when man born iu another country CON
plies with our naturalization laws, take
the prescribed oath of allegiance to ou
H..
to every foreign power--lhat person cal
no longer be considered (oreigner III
is an Americana; lie is recognized as sue
by our Constitution and laws; and 10 mos
cases, he is a far better American than th
dryeiirg bgot who would disIranchis
him.
1t has been subject Of no SIN all amaz e
ment TO the writer of this, to see few I
those who belong to liberal and enligh
tened class Of christians, countenancioe
this combination of religions fanatics; tn
very men who would be the first TO trea
them as the same class treated the Bap
fists aud Quakers in days gone by. W.
have been greatly astonished 10 see some
who talk SO loudly about 'the common
brotherhood Of man. joining a religion
crusade against that portion Of the CON
mon family who were born in 'anothe
land, aud who hold different creed. =
Joining TO with body of men with whom
they have not single principle in com
mon; with whom they can have no posi-
BILE sympathy; with men who have reSilee
them and their religious faith, with un
sparing bitterness, since it was first pro
claimed upon these shores. 1t is a melan
cholly infatuation that we can neilhe
comprehend uor uu, stand. How the,
can thus continue to coalesce with th,
bitter foes Of religious freedom, with mel
who would burn them at stake in twenty