Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-11-15
NUMBER 8.

1 ana 10 whom our courts OF Justice are open Tor
redress Of wrongs he may suffer, and the en-
forcement rights he may acquire, should not
expect an exemption OF his estate from its pro-
portionate share of charge, which is incurred
for the common protection OF the property OF
all the members Of the community in which he
dwells.
But, filthy, it is argued that because some
foreigners aided us in acquiring our ndepen-
dence, therefore, all foreigners are entitled to en-
joy the privileges thus acquired. We quote from
the address Of tho president OF this association,
delivered on the 1lth Of December last the
following remarks upon this proposition
"A sufficient answer to this argument Is found
in the fact that all such foreigners as were in tho
service of the colonies, and chose to remain in the
country were naturalizcd by an net of Congress.
If this argument however, is designed TO embrace
all Me coaltrynten of those who were in the armies
of the colonies, 1t is respectfully suggested that
il Is two-edged sword and cuts both ways; for
surely, II the countrymen of those who fought
for as, are to participate with us, then onthe
| principle, the countrymcn OF those who fought
against as, must be excluded! Were there not
men of all nations in the armies of the British
kingg And were there not thousands of them
hired and paid, who owed no allegiance to George
/ III? Did not England Scotland, Ireland, and
| Germany, each and all send out their mercenary
troops, to aid in strangng the giant in his cradle
How then, in the name of justice, can this arg,l-
| ment prevail against us? II is true, that tho
4 country Of Lafayette furnished us with men, and
arms, and ships Of war;. "A brayer, purer, noblcr
| spirit never dwelt in clay! But the motives of
/ his king have never been mistaken or misunder-
stood by any American Of ordinary intellect.
France and England were rivals. To aid America
was to annoy England-to free America was to
take from the British king the brightest jewel in
| his crown! Did the love Of liberty prompt the
King of France to send us succor? He had an
ample field at home for the development Of liberal
principlcs-but unfortunately for his subjects, he
had no such principles to deyclope. This argu-
ment that foreigners aided in our struggle for in
dependence, is too ridiculous to be seriously
4 treated"
In addition to the above however we may add
that the services performed by those foreigners
who were in the armies Of the colonies were
personal, not national, and the reward or pay
belonged to the individuals who rendered the
service The pretcnsion that all the country
men Of Montgomery, DeKalb and Kosciusko,
have claim to the benefit of their devotion to :
liberty, is about as just as would be the claims
Of these countrymen Of theirs, to divide tho
private estates Of these heroes! Far be it from
us, however, to show ingratitudc to the desccn-
dants of any foreigner who fought for our in
dependence. We would most willingly admit
all such, at once, to the rights of citizenship.
they are now Americahs. Did those who fought
on the side of liberty, for liberty's sake, return
to their native lands? Not one in ten Of them.
But as there are some of our counrymen who
may be inclined to place higher estimate upon
the motives of those foreign officers and soldiers
generally, who fought in our ranks, than truth
will Justify, we subjoin letter from the immor-
| tai Washington to member of the Continental
Congress which presents this matter in its prop
er light. The opinions of Washington win
surely be regarded as high authority. We ask
you to read and weigh them. The letter is
copied from Sparks's life of Morris, vol /, page
172.
| "WHrE PLAINS July "a, ITS. !.
"DEAR Sir: Whether you arc indebted to me,
or to you, for letter, know not, nor is il of
much moment; the design of this is to touch, cur
soriy, upon a subject of very great Importance to
tho well being of these States apd more so than
will appear Mt first view / mean the appointment
Of so many foreigners TO offices OF high rank and
trust In our service. The lavish manner in which
rank has hitherto been bestowed on these gentle
men, will certainly be productive Of one or the
other of these two evils-either to make II dcspi-
cable in the eyes of Europe, or become a means Of
pouring them In upon you like torrent, and add
ing TO your present burden. But Il Is neither the
expense nor trouble Of them that most dread.
| There Is an evil more extensive In its nature, and
fatal in its consequences, to be apprchended, and
that is the driving of all officers out Of the
service, and throwing not only your army but your
military councils entirely into the hands Of foreign.
ers.
The officers, my dear sir, on whom you must
depend for the defence Of this cause and who,
from length Of service, their connexions property
and, in behalf Of many | may add military merit,
viii not submit much, If any, longer 10 the unnat-
ural promotion of men over them, who have moth
ing more than little plausibility unbounded pride
and ambition, and perseverance in application not
to be resisted but by uncommon frmness to sup
port their pretensons. Men, who, in the first ii.
stance tell you they wish for nothing more than
the honor of serving in so glorious a cause vol
untccrs, the next day solicit rank without pay the
day following want money advanced them; and in
/ the course of week want further promotion, and
not satisfied with anything you do for them.
"WhenI speak Of foificcrs not submitting TO thcse
4 appointments, let me be understood to mean, that
they have no more doubt Of their right TO resign,
when they think themselves aggricved, than they
have Of a power in Congress to appoint Both
! being granted then, the cxpcdicncy and policy of
| the measure remain 20 be considered, and whether
il is consistent with justice prudence to promote
these military fortune huntcrs at the hazard of your
army They may be divided into three classes, viz:
4 mere adventurcrs without recommendation, or re-
commended By persons who do not know how else
to dispose Of or provide for them; men Of great
| ambition, who would sacrifice everything 70 pro-
mote their own personal glory; or mere spies who
are sent here TO obtain thorough knowledge OF
our situation aud circumstances, in the execution
of which, am persuaded, some Of them arc fiitli-
ful cmissarics, as do not believe single matter
escapes unnoticcd, or unadvscd at foreign court,
III could say great deal on this subject, but will
add nothing at present. ] am led 10 give you this
trouble nj this time by very handsome certificate
showed me yesterday in favor Of Mr.. Ncuvie,
written Il beleve) by himself and subscribed by
General Parsons designed, as am informed, for a
foundation Of the superstructurc of brigadicrship.
Baron Steubcn,. now find, Is also wanting to quit
his inspectorship for command in the Inc. This
win be prodoctive Of much discomfort to the brga-
diers. In word, although l think the Baron an
excellent officer, do most devouty wish, that We
bad not single foreigner among us, except the
Marquis dc Lafayette, who acts upon very different
principles from those which govern the rest Adieu.
II am most sincerely yours
| GEO. WASHINGTON"
/ We need not comment upon this instructive
4 tl,r E.t Of fan