Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-14
From the Savannah Republican.
A Letter from Hon. ,. M. Berrien.


FELLow-CITlzENS: have feceyeu suhury coin-
from individuals, and from committees
Of citizens, inviting me 70 attend public assemblies
of the people, In different parts OF the state, Tor
the purpose of discussing the questions which have
been, and which continue to be agitated during the
present canyass-or IL that could not be done, re-
auesting me to express my opinions on the sub
iects which agitate the popular mind, IN form
which might be given to the public. In comply
ing with this alternative request since the nrst Is
/ hope ! shall not be considered
nresumptuous. While ] am DESTROYS Of avoiding
intrusion, am unwilling TO shrink from the per-
Torrance of duty--and, having passed great
portion Of my life In the service of the State, do
not feel at liberty to withhold my opinion on any
question of public interest," concerning which, my
fellow citizens may desire the expression OF u.
This is my real feeling which induces this
address. do not assume TO guide public opinions,
but simply to express my own at the call OF those
who have right to ask it, Yet in dong So.
must speak plainly and must necessarily come In
conflict with the opposing opinions, which have
been urged with so much vehemence during the
present canvass If this shall subject me TO the
yituperation which has been so lavishly INDUCED,
will rely on the intelligence and honorable feeling
of my countrymen to spare me the humation OF
replying to such assaults.
Az an appropriate introduction to the remarks
which propose to submit to your consideration,
it becomes necessary to advert Tor moment 70
the condition of parties in our State. The ancient
issues which divided the Wing and Democratic
narties have either ceased to exist, or have been
for the time laid aside. party has arisen, which,
dra wing its support from the ranks OF both OF Its
nredecessors. presents new and important ques-
lions 10 public consideration. The Wing party, al
though not dead, as has been vainly supposed, aD
stains as party, from entering into this contest.
As a conservative body, il nevertheless exists and
-. L. Ist.,a ttrnC ntpIf
of conservatism is cherished by the people OF Geor-
ola. From the Union party, which was the off
spring of an occasion, as well as from the Demo-
cratic party, large draughts have been made by
I'D new adyenturer in the political field The ma
ior;tv 90 the Democratic party, however, remains
intact and ia strengthened by some lin point of
numbersl inconsiderable sccessons from the ranks
of its ancient opponents--and, perhaps, yet more,
by the facts, that the great majority OF them have
hitherto stood aloof from the contending parties.
The Democratic party, even thus mutiiatea, ad-
yances boldly to the conflict, wagng uncompro-
missing hostility against this new aspsant to politi-
cal power The present contest is, therefore,
waeed between the unbrOken remnant OF the an
Gent Democracy, strengthened as have before init
mated and an association ofindivdnals, or orders,
who have assumed to themselves the name Of the
American party. In the man@uvrng preparatory
to the actual conflict, the Democratic party, with
it's usual tact, has secured position to windWard,
by which it has the privilege ofbecoming the assail-
ant and of selecting its point OF attack, while its
opponents, organized for the purpose Of correcting
abuses have found themselves unexpectedly put
on the defensive.
In this state of the controversy, the questions
we are to consider, relate
/. 70 the object contemplated by the American
party.
.. To tho means proposed for its accomplish
ment.
We are first then, to examine the object OF this
party-to ascertain its character, and TO determine
its tendency to promote or conflict with the public
welfare Its first object--that which is elemental
and primary--and to which all others are consider
ed as ancillary anticipated results as 1t is ex
pressed In their own language, is
That Americans shall govern America-that Is,
that the people Of the country, those to whom 1t
belongs shall govern the country. This would
seem to be simple, undeniable, and acceptable
proposition, recognised by every civilized commur
nity and maintained even among the tribes Of the
forest-and 80 Il would be received here and now,
a,,ong us il it could be viewed simply. and on its
own merits, apart from those extraneous consid
erations with which IL has been connected and
complicated, and by which it IL influenced. 1t is
inconceiyabTe that any considerable number Of
American citizens, whether native, or those who
have been heretofore naturalized, could be willing
to surrender the government OF their country to
foreigners, and that description oil Foreigners,
who are annually, and in such immense num-
bers, migrating to our shores. The naked prop
osition, simply presented at the domestic fire.
sides of our citizens, would hardly find an advo-
cate, But IL is not considered simply and on its
own merits. The aspirations OF individuals and
the interests Of party combine TO forbid it. great
party welding the power Of the government, has
attained, and maintains, its power by the aid OF
vote, which is substantially foreign, although the
voters may have passed through the forms of a
hurried naturalization. 1t is natural that they
should be unwilling to concur in any measure
which might divest them Of this power, or have a
tendency TO diminish their present or prospective
means Of securing and increasing it. They are,
therefore, under the promptings OF interest," the
advocates of the foreigner jealous TO maintain and
willing TO extend his privilege Of participating in
the government Of the country.
And then again, the aspirants to political emf
nence-those in search Of official position in the
State or in the Union, who would win the support
of this great party, must worship at the affairs
which they have consecrated, and be eloquent in
the assertion Of the rights Of the foreigneras II
he had any rights here until we had conferred
them Call 10 your recollection the thrilling
speeches to which you have listened at the various
gatherings which you have attended-the pious
horror which has been expressed at the alleged
violation OF liberty Of CONFERENCE.-The touching
pictures which qave been drawn Of our country as
the asylum Of the oppressed--the bold assertion
Of the fitness OF the foreign immigrant 10 share
your most cherished privileges in the same extent
in which you yourselves enjoy them and then con-
slider from whom this defamation comes-say If 1t
proceeds from the disinterested advocates of the
common interest, or the bold and selfish asserters
OF their own.
To accomplish the object expressed in their
primal elementary maxim, that 4mericdns shall
govern america, the American party proposes
l. Substantial notifications of the acts regula-
ting naturalization.
Under the existing laws, FIVE years residence in
the country and a compliance with tho forms pre-.
scribed by them, entities foreigner TO citizenship,
and to all the privileges which you enjoy, with two
or three exceptions, to which IL is not necessary
TO refer. The American party desire TO enlarge
this term--to provide for more accurate scrutiny
or the claims Of persons applying for naturaza-
tion---and against the immigration Of paupers and
felons into the United States
!. In my Judgment these measures would be emf
nently conducive 10 the public welfare. This is
with me no new opinion--and II Is not now for the
first time expressed Several years ago the sub