Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-26
Foreign Popul,tlou-R.rorm Parties.

Foreign Populatiou-Reform PARTIES.
portion Of the foreign population in this country
Gesrto be actuated by settled determination to
H4themselves exceedingly obnoxious to our native
Bn citizens, and to excite their prjudices and
their hostility the highest pitch. Not conten, to
come here, and quietly enjoy the protection and ad-
vantages afforded them by our government and laws
they seem to aspire after something more-they de
sire power and wish to exercise preponderatirg in.
fuence in shaping our institutions and CONT olng
destiny. Judging by their un.eemly and cxravagant
demonstrations in parts OF the country they APP
pear to regard themselves the only truly enlghcn-
cd and genuine Republicans earth, and, therefore,
specially commissioned to instruct people in their
religious moral and political duties and to take upon
themselves all the burdens Of civil legislation and SO.
cial reform. Forgetful whence th,y came and what
they have been used to all their lives, the moment
they land upon Shores instead Of going to work and
behaving themselves dutiful citizens grateful for
the hospitality they receive and the privileges con-
ferred upon them-they begin to put on ridiculous
and offensive airs, and lay CLAIM to rights which their
modesty, if nothingese, should induce them to orcgo
until, at least, they become pretty well acclimated
Any assumption Of authority to rule or dictate on
the part oil on. foreign citizens shy agreca-
BILE to the pride of our native population. Nor il
is ever seriously asserted, should it be submitted
We not Native Americans in the technical or par.
ty sense Of the term. We have sympathy with
any such exclusveness Of doctrine. We have
spe>t for one-ideaism in any of its forms But we
are both Americans and Republicans interested in the
prosperity Of our country and the ultimate triumph Of
liberal principles We profess, Also to have juster
conception Of our peculiar interests and duties
people, than foreigners possibly have, who have
but lately reached our shores. We would therefore,
have them so understand us, and likewise correct
their own notions in respect to matter Of such vital
importance They should be taught to consider that
if the policy Of Government and the institutions
Of our country need amendment own people are
probably as competent and well qualified to engage in
the work Of reform as they are And if we should
even prefer to live under bad laws-to adhere what
appears to them q rude and Anticipated policy-and
to pursue our own incinations whims in religious
and political matters they should learn that it is
our privilege to do please in these respects thu,
1t is theirs to suggest Extensively dictate otherwise
This, they should carefully remember is OUR country
in very especial manner-it is only through
our courtesy lberaIity and generous sympathy with
the oppressed of every CLINE.
While, however, we would not restrict them in the
enjoyment of any right or privilege to which our Re
publican system entities them-whle we would cor
daily throw around them the ess of our equal laws,
and protect them in life, property and the rational
pursuit of happiness, yet, we would not have them
become pulled up with intolerabe vanity and insp-
lence and seek to take the entire affairs Of the
try under their own control But we would have
them modcstly stand aside, look and learn awhile
aud after they had breathel for time the pure at.
nnrf- L.,
thoroughly purged of all their fantastic and vicious
notions in respect TO slavery, socialism, and the like
wewoud then cheeif fully invite them to come up higher,
and take Seats at the council-bOard Of people who
understand what freedom is-who are educated from
their youth up, in the true principles of Republican
Liberty, and in all the details and operations Of Repub
lican government In Short would have then
understand that there is grace in modesty, and
wisdom in humIlity-and that neither their rights nor
privileges would be compromised by their being both
modest and humble, as strangers and refugees should
ever be, in the house Of their benefactors-and that
it is our peculiar province to rue our own land,
whilst it is part of their business to grumbe anu
make a fuss, if we do.
The foregoing remarks were suggested by the ie-
cent movements of the free Germans" of Louisville
who have issued platform for the organic ltiun of
German Ref,rm party, the object OF which appears
to be, to instruct the native population of this coun-
try in regard to what is their duty toward other Ia.
tons Of the world and wherein our institute ms need
amendment. a contemporary sums up the artic es #
their Reform creed as follows:
"The first section Of their PLATFORM or declaration o.
principles, demands that slavery shall be excluded from
all new territory that the fugitive slave Law shall be re.
peaed that steps shall be in several States for
the gradual extinction OF Slavery. Tue second denouncys
the Sabbath Laws, ThanksgvmS-days, Prayers Con
gress aud Legislatures the upon the Dle the iurn
duction OF the Bole Free Ssnools tue exclusion of
'Aheists from legal acts &C. au open VIOLATION OF
human rig rs US well OF the Constitution aud require.
their removal demands that shall be put TO tie
exercise OF the power Of the Pope by the nstrunenay
OF Bishops aud other agents United States and
that the Order OF Jesut5 be treated declared enemy Of
the Republic; and that indYidu Al shall be allowed To
remain the United States over five years without Ia
king an Oath 10 support tue Constitution.
"Ine tnrd demands the free cesUn Of public lands 10
actual settlers, and that poor cOonss shall be aided by
National funds that special office OF COonz ltion and
Emigration shall be created particular department of
the u o. Government TO provide Tor various interests
Of emigrans; that the State shall interfere Ia ,
oppression Of the laborng classes by the Capitalist and
that the judicial system shall undergo radical reform
THE Fourth demands the following modification Of the
Constitution OF tue United Safes that all elections shall
Issue directly from the people; that any eligible citizen OF
any State may be elected member Congress y the
citizens OF any other State any Representative NAV AT
any time be recalled by majority Of his constituents aud
replaced by another. The nth endorses the doctrines OF
Tree trade The sixth advocates the Pacific Rold az
national measure Tho seventh declares that neutrality as
regards ioregn policy must to be article our
national creed The eighth advocates womens rights
Tue ninth declares at Tree negroes should tue same
rights as white men TIE tenth condemns the death
penalty as irrational aud barbarious The eleventh de-
mands that military jurisdiction shall be abolished In tim,
OF peace The tNch aud last declares the temperance
lave ranca encroichmerts upon ndiyduiI liberty aud
nsrro",mnded manifestations Of eutiro miscouccpon
Of the legislative duties"
The Brigndicr's Pioty.
We have heard heretofore something about ule
Brigadiers being addicted at times to pious trains
of thought" We have been informed, also, by our
"piquant' and reliable correspondent at Washington
that his morals we're supposed to be in n state of