Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-05-24
FOR CONGRESS,
GEO. W.. JONES.
WHO ARE FOREIGNERS!
OF LINCOLN

WHO AXE FOREi(SNkRS!
In these days of anti-christian per-
secution for opinions sake, when a
persons birthplace is recorded to his
credit or his disgrace, it seems proper
that the questionwe have asked, should
be considered and answered. That
there lisa party existing in this country,
whose principles are at war with the
spirit of our free institutions, as well
as Numerically opposed to the pure
doctrines of christianity, is fact well
known. 1t is the 'Christian party in
politics" proposed to be formed by
the Rev. DR.. Ely several years ago,
by which the whole political power of
this country would be welded in
twenty years by particular religious
denomination. This christian, or "a
ther anti-christian party in politics, is
now organized; they are, as yet, insig-
nifcant in point of numbers or infu-
ence, in this State, but they make up
in zeal and boasting what they lack in
other respects.
The know-nothings seem to mag
inc that if man did not happen to
be born in particular country, he is
fair game, and may be safely hunted
as they would wild beast. Instead
of judging of his capacity, his patri-
otism, his principles, his general con-
duct, they judge of him only by his
religious creed and the place where he
happened TO be born. We repudiate
such notions anti-American
doctrines. We have no idea Of hold
ing a man responsible for what he
could neither foresee nor prevent
The accident of birth, happens with
out our knowledge; it is circum-
stance for which we neither deserve
praise nor blame. In the eyes of ev-
ry true American-of every true
christian, the man born In one corner
of the globe, is no less respectable
and deserving on that account, than
the upstart who swaggers and boasts
of his Old Dominion ancestry. The
christian and the patriot look upon all
mankind as brethren-made of one
blood-and all equally welcome to
this glorious heritage of uncontrolled
freedom.
But it was to endeavor to find an
answer to the query at the head of
this article-@JVho are foreiigaers?"
that we took up our pen:
We assume the position, and we
hold it to be an mconrovertible one,
that when an individual, born in an
other country, complies with our nat
uralization laws, takes the oath of al
legiance to our government, forswears
all allegiance to any foreign powers
that person can no longer be consid-
cred A FOREIGNER; he is an American
and is recognized by the laws and the
constitution as such. In many cases,
he is a far better American, than some
of those who would disfranchise him.
We trust that no democrat will
countenance this anti-American move
ment of attempting to prescribe all
who happened to have their BIRTH
place in some other country than our
own. If a naturalized citizen is hon.
est and capable, he is as deserving Of
favor, under our constitution, as man
born in the United States. For
eigners helped US to achieve our indie
pendence as a nation; and foreigners
will assist in maintaining it, if need be,
at the point of the sword. Let our
shores be invaded, and the prosecuted
foreigner would be among the first to
grid on his armor to meet the foe
The history of the wars in which the
United States have been engaged,
justify the assertion |