Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-07-15
Gen. Scott and Native Aineri.
c:DsAiSIn.


Gen. Scott and Native Ameri-
. caaism.
The Locofoco Press, in their extreme
anxiety to secure to the 'spoils party"
the vote of such of our fellow. citizens
as were born in a foreign land, are sed-
uiously engaged in publishing extracts
from letter, written, some ten years
since, by General Scott, expressing him
self to be in favor of some modification
of the naturalization laws, for the pur-
pose of allaying the strife then appa-
rently existing among several classes of
our citizens, and which seemed to be
daily growing more dangerous to the
peace of the country. We are perfect
ly willing that they should publish what
General Scott has said on any subject.
His writings at all times have evinced
his patriotic devotion 10 the interests of
his countrymen. But il is neither fair
or honorable to garble his opinions, or
10 announce those which were held or
adopted to avert a threatened danger, as
the settled convictions of his mind. If
they wish the people to know his opin-
ions upon any subject they should give
either all he has said, or his most recent
writings upon it. This is but fair. TO
publish old opinions and to conceal his
present ones, is one of the means by
which calumny attempts TO destroy the
reputation of the great and the good.
We publish below the very latest let
Ter by General Scott on the subiec, of
"Na'ive Amsrisanism." twas penned
four years ago. and completely answers
the mendacious assertions of those who
are exer,ing their abilities to deceive the
public, and especially our na,uralized
citizens, as to his opinions. Here is the
whole letter:
"WAsHINGToN, May 26th, ls4s.
DEAR SIR:-Iu reply to your kind let
ter OF the 9Th instant, take pleasure in
saying that, grateful for the too partial
estimate you place on my public servi-
ces, you do me no more than justice in
assuming that | entertain "kind and lib
eral views towards our naturalized citi-
zens." Certainty it ,couid be impos-
sibie for me to recommend or support
any measure intended to erciude them
from a just and full participation IN all
cica and political rights noW secured
10 them by our republican laws and in
stitufions.
I'll is true, that in season Of unusu-
al excitement, some years ago, when
both parties complained of fraudulent
practices in the naturalization of foreign
ers. and when there seemed 10 be dan.
ger that native and adopted citizens
would be permanently arrayed against
each other in hostile factions, was in
clineG to concur in the opinion, then a.
vowed by many leadiag Statesmen, that
some modification of the naturalization
laws might be necessary in order to pre-
vent abuses, allay strife, and restore har-
mony between the different classes Of
our people. But later experience and
reflection have entirely removed this inn
preston, and diSsipa,ed my apprehen.
slons.
I'm my recent campaign in Mexico,
very large proportion of the men under
my command were your countrymen,
Irish Germans, &C., &c. IUitaessed
with admiration their zeal, fidelity, and
raior in maintaining our flag IN The
face of every danger. Eeiag wiih
each other and our native born soldiers
in the same ranks in patriotism, con-
stancy and heroic daring, was happy
to call them brothers in the field. as 4
shall ai,0ays be to salute them as coun-
trymen at home.
| remain, dear Sir. with great esteem,
Yours truly,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
VIM. L. Robinson, ESQ.,