The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-01
General Wikson's Replu.


NArICK, January 20, 1855.
me, and very cheerfully answer your inquiries
ed in the American movement
While am ready frankly to avow my senti-
ments and opinions to all men, / am constrain-
ed to declare that l pen this letter to you with
no little reluctance. / am conscious that letters
written by candidate pending an election
always subject him to misrepresentation, and
to the suspicion of insincerity in the opinions
he avows.
AS you suggest, the reference in my speech
in the Constitutional Convention to the organi-
cation of military companies composed of men
of foreign birth, was made simply as an illus
tration. l, did not then approve, do not now
approve, and never can approve, of the organ
ization Of military companies composed of men
of foreign birth.
AS to the illusions in my speeches to the
distinctions on account of color or race, have
to say, that if L clearly comprehend the ideas
and principles of the American movement, it
does not ignore or deny the sublime creed that
I" All men are created egual"-the great cenral
idea upon which our American institutions are
based; but still more, if clearly comprehend
its genius and spirit its aims and purposes, it
does not propose to withdraw from men born in
other lands the protection of just and equal
laws.
Summoned into action by the evils and abuses
which have grown out of the annual immigra-
ton into America of hundreds of thousands of
men reared under the influences of social, reli-
gious, and political institutions differing from
or antagonistic to our own, the American move
ment proposes to correct these evils and abuses
by wise and humane legislation; to protect our
selves from the organized system in the old
world which subjects us to the support of for
eign paupers and the depredations of alien
criminals; to thoroughly revise the naturaliza-
ton laws; to destroy that political element of
foreign influence heretofore so potent in public
affairs; to counteract the insidious and malign
tendencies of that sectarian power that instinct
lively sympathizes with oppression in the Old
World and in the New, and to place the Gov
eminent of America in the hands of Americans
who are imbued with the spirit of her Demo-
cratic Institutions. Guided in its action by
love to all men and hatred to none, embracing
in its affections the whole country and the peo-
pie ofthe whole country, maintaining the Nation
atty and Unity of the Republic, and the Demo.
cratic doctrine of State rights, the American
movement cannot fail to receive the sanction of
the American people to its ideas and princi-
pies.
Concurring entirely with you in the opinion
that the slightest interests of freedom are iden-
titled with the supremacy of the ideas which
underlie this popular movement" shall cheer
fully labor, in public in private life, for their
advancement In so doing, l shall only be act
ing in accordance with the sentiments have
long observation-disclosures which have been
deepened and strengthened by recent events in
our own and other States, especially by the
tone of those politico-sectarian organs which
avow sentiments and doctrines hostile to the
genius and spirit of American Institutions.
Yours, truly, HENRY WILSON.
Hon. Robert B. Hail.