Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1854-11-16
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.


The Wash. Union may, says the Louisville
Journal, be regarded as one of the leading
opponents Of the democratic creed. 1t has
all along been the enemy and yillifer of the
American party. The editors of that paper
evidently regarded the Know Nothing move
ment as factious proceeding, gotten up and
controlled by few persons who were more
noisy than numerous. The result of the
late elections have enlightened them in ref
erence to the profundity of the sentiment
that lies at the base Of this movement of the
people, and the potency itpossesses in regula-
ting political power. We confidently believe
that the democratic party, as soon as due
regard to appearances anarespect for COM
mon decency permits, will be found making
| oyertures for admission into the ranks of
those very parties which they have SO un-
scrupulouslv denounced. The editors of the
Washington Union have already found out
that they have committed a great political
blunder in assailing the American party
withsuch rabid ferceness, and are now willing
to beg pardon and come into the fold. Hear
what they say:
In ticking its position it should be care
fully borne in mind that the democratic par
ty neither assumes that the naturalization
laws as they now exist are perfect, nor that
foreigners have not on some occasions sub
jected themselves to just cersures, nor that
the Roman Catholic religion is based upon
the true Christian creed. Citizenship IS q
boon granted to foreigners BE- the liberality
of our institutions, and this fact cannot be
two carefully weighed and appreciated by
our foreign citizens. They should constant
" remember that the high privileges ccnce-
ded to them, have been granted upon the rea-
sonablc expectation that they should surrcn-
der their distinctive native nationalities, and
become fused and assimilated to our
native citizens in all their feelings scntl-
ments, and devotion to our liberal institu-
tions. 1t becomes them now.in view Of the
late significant expressions of popular feel
ing, to consider well whether, in their past
conduct they may not have given occasion to
much of the opposition which exists against
them. Native americans, are Justly proud
of their high preogatiyes, and they are nat
urally jealous of anything like foreign infu-
cnce upon their institutions. In these senti-
ments and feeling we participate to the full
est extent, and it is because we do that we SO
earnestly rcpel the imputaion that the DEM
ocratic party has pursued OR will ever pur-
sue 8 an incendiary policy in order to con-
cliate the sovereign vote. Naturalized citizens
ought to see, in the immense increase of for
eign immigration within the last few years
legitimate reasons for an earnest investiga-
ton by native citizens Of the probable inf,l-
ence of this increase of foreign population
upon our institutions. This is fair and q
legitimate subject for discussion; and. If il
shall result in the conviction that our natur
alizatiOn laws are defective and require to b.
amended and reformed, tho naturalized cit
liens ought neither to be surprised nor com
plain.
1t may be assumed as fixed fact that tn,
native American population will never con
sent to any modification of the principles
which characterize their institutions, and
from whatever quarter they see danger o
this kind, they will be prompt to meet and re
pei it. When the suggestion is made tia
this danger turks under the religious cree,
of the Catholics, it is right and proper tina
the truth of his suggestion should be sifte'
to the bottom and to such an investigation
mono will contribute more than the der1ocra
cy.
These admissions reservations, and propo
sitions will do for the first lesson they ar
quite as much as could reasonably be expect
cd at the first trial.
In short time we shall doubtless wit
, ness another movement in the right-about
face direction, and in the fullness of tim
may behold the disciples o.. Democracy pre-
senting themselves as neophytes in the Kno,
Nothing church. 1t is said that an Irish
mans respect for you is exceedingly increase
, after you have given him a sound drubbing
we suppose it is to this principle we ougt
to attribute the Unions manifestations G
4 growing regard for the Know Nothings. Blu
unfortunately for the fame of Democrac,
we know that a penchant for plumber, rattle
than an admiration Of the heroics, impels
to join the standard Of the enemy-like Gel
tain beasts of prey, they scent the carcass fro,
afar and rush with eager haste 10 share j
the feast.