The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-09-15
THE AMERICAN PARTY.
Letter from Hon. John N. Berrien.

40 THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA -
FeLtoC-citizsns-I have received sundry com
munleations from individuals, and from committees
OF ctizeus, inviting me to attend public assemblies
OF the people, in different parts Of the State, fol
the purpose of discussing the questions which have
been and which continue TO be agitated during the
present canvass-or if that could not be done, re-
questng me TO express my opinions on the jects
which excite the popular mind, in form which
might be given to the public In complying with
this alternative request since the first is impract
cable, hope shall not be considered presumptu'
GUS. While / am DESTROYS of avoiding intrusion,
am unwilling to shrink from the performance o.
duty and, having passed great portion Of my
life in the service of the State do not feel at lib
erty 70 withhold my opinion on any question Of
public interest, concerning which my felow-citizens
may desire the expression Of it.
This Is my real feeiing-that which induces this
aoaress DO not assume to guide public opinions,
put simply to express my own at the call of those
who have right to ask it. Yet in doing SO, must
speak plainly, and must necessarily come in conflict
with some of the opposing opinions, which have
been urged with so much vehemence during the
present canvass. If this shall subject me TO the
vltuperation which has been so lavishy INDUCED
will rely on the intelligence and honorable feeling
OF my countrymen to spare me the humiliation OF
replying to such assaults.
As appropriate introduction to the remarks
becomes necessary to advert for a moment to the
condition of parties in our State The ancient
issues which divided the Wing and Democratic
parties, have either ceased to exist, or have been
Tor the time, laid aside party has arisen, which,
drawing its support from the ranks of both of its
predecessors, presents new and important questions
to public consideration. The Wing party, although
not dead, as has been vainy supposed, ahstains,
party, from entering into this contest. As a
conservative body, it nevertheless exists, and must
continue to do so, as long as a genuine spirit OF
conservatism is cheTshed BY the people of Georgia.
From the Union party, which was the offspring of
an secession, as well from the Democratic party,
large draughts have been made by this new adven-
turer in the political field. Toe majority of the
Democratic party, however, remains intact and is
strengthened by some lin point of numbers) incon-
siderable accessions 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 contendng parties.
The Democratic party, even thus INITIATED adj
vances boldly to the conflict, waging uncompromis-
ing hostility against this new aspirant of political
power. The present contest is therefore waged
batween this unbroken remnant of the ancient
Democracy, strengthened as have before intimat-
ed and an association of individuals, or orders who
have assumed to themselves the name of the AMER.
IoAN PARTY. In the maneuvering preparatory to
usual tact has secured position to windward, by
which it has the privilege of becoming 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
lst-To the object contemplated by the American
party.
2nd-To the means proposed for its accomplish
inent.
We are first then, to examine the object of this
party-to ascertain its character and to determine
Is tendency to promote conflict with the public
welfare. Its first great object-that which is ele
mental and primary-and to which all others are
considered as ancary, or anticipated as results, as
1t is expressed in their own language, is
THAT AMERICANS SHALL GOVERN AMER
ICA, that is, that the people of the country-those
20 whom it belongs, shall govern the country. This
would seem TO be simple, undeniable, and accept
able proposition, recognized by every civilized COM
Inunity, and maintained even among the tribes of
The forest-and SO it would be received here, and
low, among US, if it could be viewed simply, and
its own merits, apart from those extraneous
considerations with which it has been connected,
and complicated, and by which it is influenced. 1t
Is inconceivable hat any considerable number of
American citizens, whether natives, or those who
have been heretofore naturalzed could be willing
10 surrender the government of their country to
foreigners-and to that description of foreigners,
who are annually, and in such immense numbers,
migrating to our shores. The naked proposition,
simply presented at the domestic fresides of our
citizens, would hardly find an advocate But it is
not considered simply, and on its own merits. The
aspirations OF individuals and the interests of party
combine to forbid it. A great party, welding the
power of the government, has attained, and main.
tains its power by the aid of a vote, which is sub
stantially foreign, although the voters may have
passed through the forms OF hurried naturalization.
Il is natural that they should be unwilling to
IN any measure which might divest them of this
power, have tendency To diminish their present.
prospective means Of securing and increasing it,
They are therefore, under the promptings of inter-
est the advocates Of the foreigner jealous to main
tain, and willing to extend his privilege Of parIic
pating in the government OF the country. And
then again, the aspirsnts to political eminence-
those in search of official position in the State 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 foreigner-as il he had any rights
here, until we had conferred them. Call to 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
sclence-the touching pictures which have been
drawn Of our country as the asylum OF the OPP
sressed-the bold assertion of the fitness of the
foreign immigrant to share your most cherished
privileges, in the same extent in which you your
selves enjoy them, and then consider from whom
this defamation comes-say if it 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 pri-
NAL elementary maxim, that americans shall goUer7,
america, the American Party proposes
/. Substantial notifications OF the acts regulating
naturalization.
Under the existing laws, Eve years residence in
the country, and compliance with the 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
refer. The American party desire to enlarge this
term-to provide for a more accurate scrutiny Of
the claims of persons applying for naturalization
and against the immigration Of paupers, and felonE
into the United States.
In my Judgment these measures would be emf
nently conducive to the public welfare. This i
with me no new opinion-and it is not now for the
FIRST time expressed. Several years ago the subjec
engaged the attention Of Congress. AS Chairman