Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-12-19
AMERICANISM!

AMERlCANISM!
A PARTY has lately sprung up in thi
Country, by some called g the Ameri
can party" and by other. called oh
Know. Nothing party" 1t claims TO b
dssotej to the welfare Of the Country
and assumes monopoly Of patriotism
II also professes to be the only exponcn
of american doctrine" 1t maintains
that natige: born Americans only shall
be elected TO Office; and that all 70
reigners and Catholics should be exclu
lied from the privileges and rights o
yi,izenship.
But what are true American princi
pies I'VE answer. most emphatically
] Religious and Civil Liberty.
g Tolera,ion Of all Sec,s, Glasses, and
Opinions. withou, iscrimina,ion, for OF
against any.
3 Reason as The Umpire on all cues.
tions Of Public Concern.
We have tesa accustomed TO regard
Washington, Jefferson, Madison. and
franklin 10 have been about as good
"Americans" as any Of the " new lights
Of these latter days. 1t will be conceded
by some. 1T least, Of these" new lights"
Or know. Mornings" that the sien of
whom we speak had some little share in
establishing American doctrine on this
Continent. But hear and read their own
views on the particular "American Z"
question now before the Country. t
Listen to WasAingt6n;-The Father
Of his Country recommended the passage
and approved by his official signature
Of tho first and second naturalization m
laws, which required respectively a resi-.
aence Of only two and Ave years, with
tho usual oa.hs' After the war of the
Revolution was closed, he said Of the
Irish volunteers tha. they merited the
warmest thanks Of America for their pa.
'riotjsm, and tina, he hoped their coun.
srymen. who had long struggled for lib.
srty at home. would be Hospitality re.
ceived here. Listen to his language on
the Know Notkiss question |
"The bosom of America is open to receive
pot only the opulent and respectable stranger
but the oppressed and prosecuted of all nations
and religions, sphom zoe shalt ,celcome 10 a part
yiSation in all our righss and prioileges."
The voice Of Washington will cheer
Us in the contest. We battle for the pre-.
ssrvasion Of tha, policy which he re.
commended and pursued--the admission
Of the oppressed Of other nalions to all
the rights and privileges Of American
ffeemen
Hear what Jefferson says:
considering the ordinary chances of human
i!ie' q denial OF citizenship under residence ofI
fourteen years the Know .Nothings now con-
teho tor twenty one is denial 10 great por-
uon OF those who ask it; and controls bolicy
Hunued from their first settlement by many of
the States, and still believed 10 be Of conse-
auence 70 their prosperity. And shall we refuse
we unhappy fugitives from distress that hsspl-
70 our fathers arriving in this land 7 Shall op
&rssssd Annsanity find no asylum ON this gloLe
1he constitution, indeed, has wisely provided
tnat for ADMISSION to certain Offices OF import.
ant trust, Residence shall be required sufficient
% develop character and design. But might not
the general character and capabilities of citi-
zen DC safely communi' ated 10 every one mani
testing iona .fde purpose Of casing his life
ana fortunes permanently with us z"
Mr. Madison has also left his opin.
ipns on record. In the Convention
which formed the Constitution, he said: {
He wished to ispite foreigners of merit and
fepunncan principles among US. America was
indebted TO emigrants for Jler settlement and
prosperity. That part Of America which had
sncohloSco ihem most had advanced most ra- {
poy IN popu. .stioa, agriculttrte, and the arts"
pf. Frahklin has also condemned Ma. .
tivism in tho following language: !;
The people in Europe are friendly to this
eounuy. We found in the course Of the Revo-
tt'on that many stfangeu served Us faithfully, | r
ana that many natives took part against theirl
eountry. When foreigners, after looking about I
loe SONIC other country Id which they can OBJ i
ain more happiness: give preference to ours, J.
! - 1ee9 ef sttschwent vkieA ought 10 exeiie
~ ess dsses md ssseem." lv
- apake the most profound Of Amer. |,
cen PhiIosephers. To their opinion, |,
light y sddsd that of.nearly every re. !
pblicsn assteman, end tried patriot in i
= Jaad. Sessly their views ere snsi. i
10 mers respect than those of the .
~kieh hsys juss sPpssisd--lt 4