Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-05-25

stances which will justify Americans
in preferring native citizens. to for
eigners, other things being equal, we
readily admit. When. as has been
the case in this county. worthy and
competent Americans have been thrust
aside to make way far aspiring for
eigners, in order to carry the vote OF
foreigners for the'party thus doing. ev-
cry sense Of honor and Americanism.
requires us to say that we viii not on
ly vote against that. foreigner, but
bat against all bis colleagues. Yet
we will never agree to oppose foreign
ers simply because they are foreigners.
Many Of our best citizens are Of for
eign birth, yet they are as Americans
in heart. and feeling. and interest. as
a native can be. But. in view Of the
clannishness Of foreigners. particular.
ly the German and Irish OF late. and
their demands as right. that they
should have share Of the Offices, rs
condition Of their supporting, en-
mas,e, this or that ticket. we do not
wonder that such sentiment as the
above IS very generally adopted. even
by the mildest Of those who woull
correct the evils into which we were
running. It is this that innocent and
worthy men are made to suffer from
the misdeeds Of others. We admit that
IL there is no other way Of rcbuking
this eternal bowling and scraping to
foreigners-this arrnying them, as a
body. against their American fellow
citizens, we are then ready to adopt
this measure as q derinier resort, but
not. otherwise. The evil must be. and
will be cured. But we should regret
to have II cured at such an expense
as this. We want to 60 among our
fellow citizens, and select the best
men. regardless Of their nativity
And We want TO see the time come
when we can discuss questions Of state
and national policy, without hearing
demagogues say that the foreign por-
ton should set themselves rs body
against or for 1t. We are one. Our
interes SITS are one. and the foreigner
who claims especial privilege as SUCH
virtually says thrt he has but par.
tally thrown off his love OF the old
country. and that he has been buI
imperiectly Americanized.
Every American citizen enjoys. and
should enjoy equal rights. not because
he was born here or there. but becaus'
he Is OMAN. Hence we object. to The
prescription Of foreigners. and we OBJ
jsct also to allowing them to rnle US
as they have done. to al. intents ant
and purposes, for years.
AS to the objection to enlisting for
signers in the army, in time o
war. it is simply ridiculous. True
and better soldiers than tho lrisl
make. never marched to the sound Of
drum. We don't know so much abou
the Germans. for but few Of them eve
enlist. They prudently prefer tn
pursuits ofpeace. Though IN unAmer
icanized foreigner neither understand
norlovcs our institutions well enought
be trusted with making or executing on
laws. We believe he may well be trust
ed on the field Of battle. We woul
not advise nor allow that he should b
trusted with the command Of the al
my. or any considerable part Of it. W
he may be trusted to shoot and be she
at.
Fourth. Weshall advocate and urg
the adoption Of such an amen led for,
Of an oath TO support the Constitute
Of The United States, and to be admin
, istered TO all persons elected or aT
D pointed 10 any Office Of trust, hone
9 or emolument, under the Federal Q
State governments. as will effectuall
exclude from such Offices all person,
;. who shall not directly and srpiicitl
: recognize the obligations and bindin
, forcr Of the Constitution OF the Unite
. States. rs paramount to ell obligation
: Of adhesion or allegiance to any for
: eign prince. power. potentate, or au
thorlty. whatever, under any and a
circumstances.
This is avery foolish article ofiaitl
: An oath to support the Constitution
all humbug at best. But this is il
: tended to be binding on Jesuits, an
d Priests. who owe supreme allegianc
% to the Roman church. Now we ma
" amend, double and twist our oaths
% support the Constitution, but no h,
' man power can make papist's oaI
u binding, when itconhicts with the il
" structions Of the Pontff. The Pc,
or claims, and has often exercised Il
9 right to absolye his subjects from {
I'd legiance to temporal powers, and he 4
Us ways will, when his Interests demal
re It. This power is inherent in Roma
Id ism and inseperable from it.
is 1t will be asked then, why we
H. not at once advocate prescription
II, foreigners, Of Romanists In particuls
u If there are among US so many tho
err sands Of persons who may be absol
lie ed, at once, from their allegiance
the government, are they not a da
he gerous element? We think not,
" Nov Nothingism prevails--if Il
o. American people resolve. that the pa