The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-12-01
AN AMERICAN PARTY.
From the N. Y. Mirror1

dormant elements VI h"uonallty, prlckeC Oy
the eontumey of arrogant demagogues and
spurred by the insolence of "strangers within
the gates" have at last been reused to actiyi
ty, and though yet rude and tumultuous from
lack of discipline and the exuberance of pa
triotic excitement, they will gather cohesive
ness and solidty as they gather strength, and
finally organizing upon broad and perma-
nent platform, will be the developer, the rul-
er, and the defender of the destinies of this
Republic. The seed has been long germi-
mating for this political birth, out the fruit is
all the more glorious that its tree is deeply
rooted.
Lettsose who think the revolutionary spirit
that has just swept over eur State, discomfit-
ing the ranks and calculations of old parties,
temporary, impulsive rhing-born in an
hour to pass away and be forgotten MS soon
be rid of their delusion. Ii is fatal one, for
such as aspire to share political consideration
in the future. There is no mistaking the
shout of joy with which this new born Ameri-
can nationality is hailed by young and old, in
city and hamlet, in the great marts and by the
humble hearths of sturdy sol-tiers, through
out the land. The shout is honest-the ioy
is sincere-the heart Of the people is touched
and strred--a long pent desire is answered,
and Americans of all parties and classes re-
joce, that the day has come when they can
unite to put down whatever is at enmity with
their country's prosperity, freedom and safety,
and, taking the sceptre into their own hands,
once more exhibit to the world America ruled
by Americans.
In all sections of the land the elements of
the new nationality are working bravely.-
The whole people, save the foreign fraction
and few stubborn adherents of old parties,
are melting into the swelling tide, and the
great American mass will soon mould itself
to such form and order that opposition to it
will be in vain. Those who stand in its
course will be observation-disclosures only who
cast their fortunes on it. honestly and fear
lessy, can hope to guide it or share its hon
ors and trusts. Its perfect organization will
not be the work of day, yet it will be ac-
compshed more speedily than most men
think. 1t will not take long for Americans
to learn to rule hemselves-born sovereigns,
authority is to them an instinct as well as
thing of education and habit.
With "Americanism" for their watchword,
we will not pretend to foreshadow the precise
platform the American party must soon adopt.
"The Union and the Constitution" dear to
every American, must be the foremost article
of their creed. Without deep and abiding
loyalty to these, all else would be valueless.
Among their earliest movements, however, as
soon as Legislative power is compassed, we
hope and expect to see them repeal or modify
our naturalization laws, making the posses
sion of the franchise so difficult, that he who
obtains it will value it rs the priceless crown
OF his citizen-sovereignty. Next to this, we
hope to see National Registry law, estab-
lished-at least for cities and populous CON-
munties-that we may know with certainty
the citizen from the alien and stranger, and
at once and forever put an end to the frauds
on the balot-box that have disgraced our cleo
tive system, and so cheapened citizenship that
IN honest man scarcely cares to assert it.
But we will not suggest further, by thus
expressing our expectations and hopes
There is a great American work to be done,
before the land will be purified of statute er.
rors and political corruption, and all its posts
of trust and honor filled, and all its battle
ments and watch-towers sentineled by Ameri-
cans. Thank God, there is party born to
do this work-an American party, whose mis-
sion and pride it will be to so elevate, and
establish, and unversalize the sentiment of
sturdy American Nationality, at home, and
represent it abroad, that all men having a citi-
zenship in this Republic will make it their
proudest boas: that they are Americans.
cY- The editor OF the Staunton Spectator,
having recently been to Richmond, to the