The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-07-08
Gen. Scotf's Natfye-.sm.

Uen Scott III iC4I was weak enough to believe
that the doctrines af NATIVISM would control
the doctrines of this country-and, resting un-
der this impression, he wrote the following let
ter, in which he advocates the REPEAL of all
laws the subject of NATURALIZATION,
thus refusing to all FOREIGNERS a home in
this land of liberty and Equal Rights Here is
his letter. READ IT.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 1871
Dear Sir 1 have the honor to acknowledge
your letter of the 8th inst, written as you are
pleased to add, in behalf of several hundred
Native American republicans of Philadelphia
Not confdentially, but not for publication,
have already replied to letter from David NJ.
Stone, Esq, Of your city, on the same subject.
will write to you in like manner and in haste.
This is the month when the pressure of official
business is the heaviest with me-leaving scarce
ly time for sleep or exercise L must not wholly
neglect your communication.
Should any considerable number of my fellow
countrymen assign me- or desire to give me a
prominent position before the public, shall take
time to methodize my views on the great ques-
tions you have proposed. Those views have
their origin in the stormy elections of the Spring
of 1885, and were confirmed in the week that
the Harrison electors were chosen in New York.
On both occasions was in that city, and heard
in the streets, ''Down with the natives" It was
heard in almost every group of foreigners, as the
signal for rallging and outrage.
Fired lCith Indignation, two friends sat down
with me in my parlor at the Astor House (No-
yember, 1870 to draw up an address, designed
10 rolI lIyro rlo
election, set out for the South, and have ne
yer known precisely why our appeal was not
published. Probably the election of Gen. Har
rison rendered its publication at that time un-
necessary in the opinion of my two friends.
now hesitate between extending the period
of residence before naturalization, and total
repeal Of all acts Of congress on the su!jecl-my
mind inclines to the latter.
Concurring fully in the principles of the Phi
ladelphia movement, I should prefer assuming
the name of american Republicans, as in New
York, or Democratic americans, as 1 would res
pectfully suggest. Brought up in the principles
of the Revolution, of Jefferson, Madison, &c.,
under whom, in youth, l commenced life, have
always been called, have ever professed my
self Republican, or Whig, which with me was
the same thing. Democratic americans would
include all good natiCe citizens, devoted to our
country and institutions would not drive from
us naturahzed citizens, who, by long residence
have become identified with US in feeling and
interest.
am happy to see by the Philadelphia Nation
al american that religion is to be excluded as a
party element iStQunch Protestant as l am,
l,Otl r., L
sent to a party or State religion. Religion is
too sacred to be mingled up with either. 1t
should always be kept between each individual
and his God, except in the way of reason and
gentle persuasion as in families churches and
other occasions of voluntary attendance (afterI
years of discretion) or reciprocal consent.
Wishing success to the great aoork which you
and other patriots have set on foot, l remain
with high respect, your fellow citizen,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
To George Washington Reed, and others, Phi
Iadelphia.
Ten years having expired since Gen. Scott
penned the above letter, and finding but pitt
full faction supporting his odious doctrine, he
writes a second episte on this subject, embra-
eng views ulrectIy the opposite OF the ABOVE Il
Here it is
WASHINGTON, March II, 1852.
Gentlemen Il have received your note invi-
ting me to join you, at Philadelphia, in the cell
ebration of the approaching ST. Patrick's Day
an honor which, l regret, the press of bust
ness obliges me to decline.
You do me but justice in supposing me to feel
q liyely interest in Ireland and her sons. Per-
haps no man-certainly no American-owes so
much to the yalor and blood of Irishmen my
SELF Many of them marched and fought un-
der my command in the war of 1812-15, and
MANY more thousands in the recent war with
Mexico-not one of whom was ever known to-
turn his back upon the enemy or a friend.
l salute you, gentlemen, with my cordial res
poets, WINFIELD SCoIT.
To Robert Tyler, Esq, and others, Commit
tee.
To obtain the votes of 'Irishmen, Gen. Scott
now writes the above letter. and not because he
thinks any thing more of them than he did when
he wished to expel them from our soil =! Why
did he not thus speak of the noble-hearted and
patriotic Irishmen, who fought in the war 1872
Is, who never turned their back upon the enc
nv or a friend, in 1S41, instead of ''fully con-
curing in the principles of the cut-throat Ma
Americans who were then waging a war of ex-
termination against ALL Foreigners Why
didn't Scott appeal to these mad fanatics to de-
IL I