The American patriot., 1855-04-28

In The Inst number Of the PAfRIor some OF
the captious objections raised to Native Ameri-
canisu in It's present shape were noted and
commented on briefly. But that one which
is based on the secrecy alledged to be thrown
Ground our principles, purposes and party
movements, was merely mentioned and passed
over with a promise to the reader that it
should be taken up for discussion at some fu-
turc time This we now propose to do. 1t
is contcndcd by the old fogies that the Native
American party is secret political organiza-
ton, and as such its operations arc at war
with the spirit of our democratic institutions,
and that the stability and perpetuity OF these
are thereby endangered. While this objection
cannot boast of shadow of reason or truth,
it is vet the most subtle and plausible one that
has been raised to the new party, and the Old
Fogies knowing full we'll how much the reali.
cation Of their hopes and schemes depends on
the effect it will have on the popular mind,
they urge 1t with an earncsthess which be-
trays the importance they attach to it, and the
deep solicitudc they feel for the event.
We take it for granted that no sane man
will contend that the political principles which
the new party processes and the reforms it
proposes to work out in our national policy,
are cloaked in secrecy. The Native American
platform is published in all the papcrs-the
principles we advocate and purposes we pro-
pose to accomplish, arc in everybody's mouth
What Old Fogy cannot tell you that the Ma
tive American party seeks to modify or repeal
the naturalization la,cs; to prohibit the i'm
portation Of criminals and paupers into oar
country, from all the hotbeds Of political
misery and degradation in the old world, and
to stay the insidious designs Of Jesuitism in
our land, seeking as it is, to grasp the reins
Of our Government, and to mould our institu-
tions in conformity with its bigotry and in
tolerancea The criminals and paupers from
foreign land are crowding to our country, cor
rupting our moral atmosphere seeking to con-
troll our electiens--they fill our lunatic asy-
lums, our charity hospitals and penitentiaries,
and thus are one of the most grievous sources
of taxation to our people. For evidence ol
this fact, look to the reports of these institu'
tions, and large majority of their inmates
will be found to be foreigners. We as Ameri-
cans do not believe it to be right for the ma.
tionlbf the old world to empty the drcgs and
filth Of their society into our bosom; and We
intend TO correct the evil if possible. While
VIC do not interfere with the rights Of any man
be he Eindoo, Catholic or Methodist, in tht
exercise of his religion, and while we contenG
that every one shall think about such matters
as he pleases, and worship his God according
to the dictates of his own conscience, yet thu
Native American party is determined to resis
every attempt Of churchmen to interfere il
our political affairs, come that attempt from
what quarter it may. Experience teaches III
to be particularly on our guard against Jesuit
ism, and our party is watching with jealous
eye this order of christians. This subjec
we will take up at some other time. Sucl
as these are the political principles of our par
ty, yet with what dogged pertinacity do tn
Old Fogies cling to this fallacious objection
that our party is a secret one. The idea tina
q secret political society can exist in our coun
try, where the people dispose Of every matte
touching their own Government, and wher
every man is ever busy ipquiring into bi
neighbor's business, is perfectly utopian, ant
no sensible man will entertain it for moment
The members of the new party are not China
men; they are not men Of the lowest order o
society; they are high born American citizens
and what folly is it to suppose that they shoul'
desire to overturn the Government-to pul
down the roof over their own heads.
The Native American party like all othe
political parties, has its meetings and its par
ty secrets, and for this thing we can poin
nreceflents in the history and action of ever