Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-11-13
AN ADDRESS

eosee~ W fespaSt0H hUlss Esp, Pressdeat
" me Association, and Chairman ef' tho
Spec,1 Committee dppoiated TO prepare
.ne sanse ana adopted ina general meet
sng 81 said dissertation, February 8, 1s4l.
FEILow-crIzESs OF THE UNITED STATES:
We ask permission to address YOU upon
questions which, In our humble Judgment
deeply and vitality affect the best interests and
permanent happiness of us all.
lnheritng, through the bounty of heaven,
q country which Is incomparably rich in ali
the elements Of individual and national wealth
we enjoy, also, through the labors Of our am,
cestors plan Of government which is the
freest and wisest that man has ever formed.
The sun has not shone upon a country more
desirable; upon institutions more admirable
or upon political system SO perfect. Shall
zoe transmit our great and multiplied bless
ings 20 our children, and 10 our chilaren's
Children or shall zoe, like the base sIudeaa,
east all these priceless pearls apay? We an
ticipate your response: "Wo wW transmit
them uniDpaiicd TO our descendants" Let
us, then, wisely consider tho means by which
IDENTITY examine the dangers that beset us. Let
us seriously inquire whether evils have not
crept into the body polite which threaten its
destruction Let us carefully survey the
ground we occupy.
Fellow-citizens, we arc no alarmists; nor
would we seek reform for the sake of chaRqe.
We have no private gricfs to revenge, no per-
sonal OF selfish aims to compass. Indeed, we
are conscious that years must roll around ere
our principles can gain the ascendant through
out this extensive nation. We have the oppo-
sition of those who seem to think their rights
endangered to combat We have the prcju-
dices of such as win not examine our doctrines
to overcome. We have the influence Of large
portion of the partisan press to neutralize.
We have the spccious defamation of the
demagoguc to encounter. We have the
coldness, indifference, and blindness of the
unpatriotic and mercenary to remove We
have all these and countless other obsta-
cles to sur1nount, which time and cxertion
only can accomplish. But we are not to
be dismayed by these manifold sources Of op-
position, nor discouraged by the magnitude Of
the difficulties in our path Our march will
be oisoard and still ontcard, unfainting and
unfaltering. The goal Of our ambition, we
trust will finally be reached, the institutions
Of freedom be rescued from impending destruc-
ton, and posterity be made happy, through
the triumph Of our principles.
Fellow-citizens: When the Federal Consti-
tuition was first adopted the sparseness of our
population, the immense uninhabited territory
spread out before us, and the circumstance
that we had just entered upon an experiment
in government, which it was tho policy Of
despotic powers to PROSTATE, most naturally
prompted desire for an accession to our num-
bers, by the immigration from Europe of tho
rosolutc and enterprising portion of the OPP
pressed Of all her nations. The strongest
doubts were generally entertained abroad Of
the ultimate success Of free government in
America, and hence no apprehensions were
felt by our countrymen, that any others would
unite their destiny with ours, than those
whose firmness, courage, and devotion TO re-
publican principles would render them valua-
BILE citizens. Some hundreds of this class, who
had fought in our ranks, had availed them
selves Of the provisions of the laws, comforting
the privileges of American citizens, and these
were subsequently joined by their relatives and
friends For many years our population in
creased at moderate and steady pace and
there existed no cause Of. alarm from foreign
immigrants; as their numbers bore no compa-
rison to that of the native citizens, and they
mingled, and were lost sight of in the general
mass of our population. Besides, thcy were
mostly Industrious, peaceablc and patriotic.
But this aspect of things has changed The
battles Of the revolution have been fought and
won: the fears Of Che timid and doubling in
reference to the stability Of our government,
have been removed; we are now strong enough
TO be secure from foreign aggression; we pre-
sent spectacle OF national greatness, wealth,
power and general prosperity, which has no
parallel in the history Of nations and we are
at once the object of the fear and envy. hatred
and respect of Europel From these, and other
causes, immigration has received n powerful
Impulse, and become more general, extensive
and promiscuous. In all Europe, tho wages
OF labor are low-here they are high. Our
soil is rich beyond all comparison. and cheap
beyond all example. Hence, large bodies OF
immigrants, numbering thousands in some in
stances, have come hither, totally changing the
character Of the ncighborhoods in which they
have located bringing with them, not unfrc-
quently, such notions Of liberty, as arc incom-
patible with the good order and peace Of the
community, and acting under influences, which
prove them incompetent TO exercise, with
safety to our institutions, the invaluable right
OF suffiagel We do not deny that there are
thousands among those who are recent imm.
grants, that are worthy and industrious pco-
pie, lovers Of order, and supporters of the laws.
Such are contcntcd with our institutions as
dicJ hhu ticfI, anu manifest no disposition 10
intermeddle with those political questions,
which they cannot yet comprehend, nor to
lend themselves to the artful demagogue, who
would sacrifice every thing valuable in our
government to promote his own or his partys
triumph. But, we regret TO say, wo do not
think majority Of those who have immigrated
within few years past, arc Of this class Many
have been sent here at the expense Of their
governments and who had become nuisances
in their own country. Many were the inmates OF
prisons and almshouscs; many were mere adven-
turcrs, without trades, callings OF professions
many were entirely destitute of tho means of
support, and had no inclination to labor and
many are restless and designing men, who aim
at future political distinction, by means Of the
clannish habits Of their countrymen, and the
lancntablc crcdulity Of portion Of oar peo.
pie. Swarms Of foreigners have come into
our country, headed by aspiring leaders, by
whom they are controlled or influenced. and
who are, in feelings impulses, and political
action, distinct communities, obcying, for the
present the laws Of our country, but rapidly
gathering strength, and openly and ayowcdly
aiming at ultimate supremacy