The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-06-23
Dangers of Native Americanism.

dress, declared that he was determined TO ap-
point no natufdhzed or adopted citizen to any
place Of trust. This declaration will be receiv-
ed with feeling OF sorrow and disgust by all
candid and Just minds in America. Such pro-
scription is violation Of the spiiit of the Con-
stitution of the United States. which knows no
difference between the native and the adopted
citizen, aud which extends TO all the advanta-
-ges of a common freedom. The word 'scitizen''
is robbed OF half lis meaning, If those who have
complied with all the conditions which entltlr
them to wear il, are TO be prescribed and per-
secuted on the locality OF their birth. The
constitution which preScrbeS the conditions Of
citizenship, knows no such rule, and any party
which attempts to enforce such rule, trampeS
the rights of an .1merican citizen under lis feet
They outrage one of the most sacred principles
Of American freedom.
So far as the principle is concerned, the au-
thoriiips of Philadelphia or New York, may as
well prescribe man for being born in New
Orleans, as 10 prescribe him for being born in
Germany or Ireland. The principle which
would oStraciSe man for being born in Ire
land or Germany, ifcauied fully out, would
prove destructive Of the general rights of every
American citizen, for it would reduce citizen
ship TO the narrow limits OF special and acciden-
tai localities. Indeed, the principle of what is
called Native Amercanism, carried fully out,
would leave no such thing as American citizen
ship in existence; but we should have only
Philadelphia citizenship, New York citizenship,
eCt., and war of sections. races and localities,
would spring up, which would reduce our hap
py and prosperous country TO bell OF strife and
outrage.
But need not go so far as to discuss the
results OF such principle, for It's crushed in
its very inception by that sacred chapter of hu-
man rights, the Constitution. And be is the
worst foe 10 our counIys freedom, whether he
is born in New York, in Dublin, or IN Amster-
dam, who would seek to violate that sacred prin-
ciple embraced in the meaning OF .scitlzenship."
The war which an un-American bigotry wages
upon our adopted citizens, is as unnatural TO our
country as il is unjust to human rights. 1t is a
crime that the IriShman or the German was not
born in this country fso many them have
done the best they could to atone for it by get
ting here as soon after birth as possible. They
have borne their part OF our national work, and
contributed their share to our national wealth..
They have constructed our railroads and made
fruitful our western lands. They have contrib
utrd their full shares to our treasures of art and
learning, and to whatever eleyateS and advances
our civilization. Danish every adopted citizen
from our country. and what profession is there
what department of art, science, learning, or
labor, which world not feel the shock! Cur
colleges, our studies, our counting rooms, onr
wolk shops, and our public works, all would
realize an instant shock which would cover
with amazement and shame the bigots who are
,,~al., 81 H.
crusade against adopted citizens II is aston
ishng TO what pitch of excitement this shall
low fury has risen. We almost wonder that
the ''Native Americans" do not blast Plymouth
rock TO pieces with gunpowder, and banish The
bones Of the Pilgrims and the Knickerbocliers
from the soil OF our country.
We marvel that Robert T. Conrad should
not tear the picture of William Penn from the
wall ofthe old State House in Philadelphia, and
pull every monument which reminds s'Natire
Americans ofthe benefcence ofGirard. Pull
down, and tear up everything not produced By
hands indigenous 10 the soil. Such an undertake
ing would impart an enterprising and business
air to the streets Of Philadelphia, And Robert
+. Conrad is just rash enough for that sort Of
Undertaking. ssNative Americans" could not
possibly have better representative of their
principles. Rash, frey, ambitious, without
judgment, and without any particular restraints
OF conscience, he is the very embodiment of that
principle which would violate the rights of
American citizenship, for momentarv triumph
of his party. 1t is at least comforting TO be-
lIeve that not possibly can the sold country
send us more mischievouS and dangerous cit-
zens than these. If our institutions suffer no
evil from such restless and unprincipled spirits,
we need apprehtnd no danger from any other
Democrat.
B~ Bayard Taylor relates the follow amusing
anecdote in his own experience in Arabia.
While in Arabia | bad very remarkable
experience. There is drug in the East whose
effect is like that OF opium; il is prepared from
the Indian hemp. 1t is much used by the Sar-
acen warriors when about to enter battle, as a
stimulus 1t produces on the Imagination
double consciousness; one part of the mind seems
of study while the other looks on. From mo-
tives OF curiosity, | was persuaded TO try the
effects OF It on my own system. was in Da-
mascns at the time. Soon after taking the
drug, the effects Of it bagan to appear. | saw
the furniture in the room, talked with the com
pany, and yet | seemed to be near the pyramids
OF Cheops, whose blocks OF stone appeared TO
me like huge squares Of Virginia tobacco. The
scene changed, and was on the desert in boat
made Of mother Of pearl. The sand seemed
grains Of flustrous gold, though my boat ran as
easily as on the waves of the sea, the air seem
ed filled with harmonies Of the sweetest Music;
the atmosphere was filled with light, with
odorS of music. Before me seemed to be con-
slant series of arcades of rainbows, through
which for fifteen years, | SEEMED to glide The I
finer senses were developed, and all sratihca-
tion was single harmonious sensation. Hence
We cannot conceive the ORIGIN of the Arabian