Washington sentinel., 1854-04-02
OUR VARIED POPULATION--NATI
AND ADOPTED CITIZENS,

The productions of our country are not more
varied than the character of our population.
That population is, perhaps, more than that of
any country on the globe, remarkable for di-
yersity OF race, language, manners and pur-
suits. The millions of the Old World crowded
almost to suffocation, and pushed, many of
them, to the very brink of starvation, come an
nualy to our shores, where enterprise com
mands ample remuneration and industry COM
pensating returns. They left countries where
there is scarcely room for graves in which to
bury their dead, to come to one whose vast ex-
tent and deep recesses have scarcely been ex-
plored by the most active adventurers. Nor is
it likely that the tide of emigration will dimin.
ish. The likelihood, on the contrary, is that as
communication is increased between China,
japan, and the Asiatic countries that have
so long lain buried in isolated secluson, emf
grafton from those countries will even outstrip
that from the European countries which have
hitherto supplied us with the needed popula-
ton. We have land; they have people. An
exchange is thus made. They are foreigners !;
they become naturalized. They have children.
Their children are native-born Americans,
with American sympathies, views, and princi-
Piles. In one generation the Irishman or the
Dutchman is merged in the American. Every,
thing that can safely be done by our statesmen
and lawmakers to facilitate this result, and to
bind adopted and native citizens together in
one great brotherhood, with the same feelings
interests, and destinies, should be done; and
the efforts of our statesmen and law wmakers
should be seconded by those who come from
distant lands to seek homes in this new coun-
try. How can this be done?
1t cannot be done by onerous and oppressive
legislation; nor is it at all probable that such
legislation will ever occur. Nor can it be done,
if the foreigners who come to dwell amongst us
studiously keep alooof from our people, slight
our habits and customs, neglect to acquire our
language, and keep wilfully ignorant of our
laws and institutions. 1t cannot be done, if
| they form separate national organizations, and
make them auxiliary to like organizations in
| the countries from which they come. 1t can
| not be done, if their children are taught to
cherish European traditions, ideas, and political
principles, and to neglect, if not to despise,
those that belong to our country. 1t cannot
be done, if they shall seek to keep up dis
tinction-a wall Of separation between them.
selves and our people. Nor can it be done, if
las we we're informed was not long since the
case in one of the northern Cities banded to.
gether as distinct races, they march through
the crowded streets of ovr large cities, with
drums beating, colors flying, and muskets
loaded. Such proceedings are calculated to
arouse national prejudice against them.
They first attract attention, then awake Gen.
sure, and finally lead to attack
The natural consequence of such proceed
ings is, that native American citizens, restless,
active, sensitive, and with more patriotism than
prudence, will get up antagonistic associations
and professions. They viii cultivate spirit
of enfnity towards foreigners. Members of
these rival associations, as they meet, will be
apt to get into disputes, quarrels and fights
Each party will beat up recruits, and the
difficulty may so extend as to implicate all the
members of both organizations Rows, mobs,
street fights, and public disturbances of all
sorts will be the natural results
If two such organized and armed bands
with their national animosities excited, were
10 encounter each other in the streets Of one
of our large cities, the consequences, not only
to the parties concerned, but to the whole
population, would be most disastrous and de-
plorable.
1t is in view Of these results that may occur
indeed that, to some extent, have occurred
that we venture to make these. remarks. This
great country, including thirty y-one States, SOW
eral organized Territories, and vast area
OF uniformed, unorganized territory, is large
enough for all our population, however differ
ent IN origin, language, and character. By
prudence, crcumspection, and the observance
OF the common duties that men owe to one
another, all difficulties may be avoided. We
all stand under the emblazoned foIds or .ha
American flag; we all breathe American air:
our hopes, our interests, our destinies, are the
| same. Our children viii be Of the samol..
guage, the same soil, the same name.
Foreigners who come here and dwell under
our protecting government owe much to us
We, on the other hand, owe much to foreigners
They have aided us in our wars; have furnish.
ed us, in their descendants, with some of our
most eminent patriots and statesmen and have
made our wilderness blossom as the rose"
Our duties are reciprocal. This we are sure
OF, that our foreign population have nothing to
aPprehend from the native population, so long
as they bear themselves as American citizens,
aud seek to become Jet more completely incor.
porated and identified with us.