Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-03-21
IMMIGRATION.

Political, like scientific discoveries are
| generally heralded by precursive signs, and
| on the subject of promiscuous immigration We
| have already had those dawn lights which
| prognosticate the day. All those indications
of alarm and newly awakened interest, which
usually precede some important political
event, have been exhibited; nor can we won
der at the growing interest with which the top
| ic is regarded. The sea is no longer a barrier,
| but great highway, more easily crossed than
to travel from our eastern to our western states.
| The immense emigration, then, constantly ar
| irving upon our shores, may justly lead US to
| inquire what are to be its effects, and how far
| should it be encouraged or restrained?
| Ardent as are our sympathies for the down.
trodden and oppressed of every nation and of
every people, we should never forget that our
highest allegiance is first to our God-then to
our native land; and while we mourn for the
oppressed of other climes, yet all the affec-
tionS of our hearts and all the sympathies of
our nature should cling with undying fondness
around the affairs Of our country. If we should
find, therefore, that this constantly increasing
tide Of immigration is destructive to the spirit
plain, and our duty manifest. however harsh
may seem the means, we may be compelled to
adopt. ssSelf preservation is the first law of
nature, and duty to our Country, to ourselves
and to posterity, requires that we should guard
the inheritance which has been transmitted to
us by our forefathers, from the incursions of
all enemies, whether political or social, with
I, I,
Among the most serious evils which this un-
bounded immigration is inlicting upon US, is
the increase of pauperism and crime, turning
our country into apest-house OF neral disease,
and saturating the sources from whence count
less generations are yet to spring, with cor
ruption. Its social effect is to yitiate and en-
feeble the energies of our people, and to re-
verse the domestic relations from their natural
offices. The evils that flow from it are contagi-
Gus, nor is it possible to be in constant inter-
course with societies in which they predomin-
ate without catching their corruption. Thus
the prospects of our country are blighted by
these rank deposits LETT upon our shores, uni
ting in one fermenting mass the folies and vi
ces of the Old and the New World.
But if its social effects are to be deprecated,
how much greater cause have we for alarm,
when we view its political aspects. 1t produ-
ces decline of patriotism. which is destruct-
i've of mans capacity for self-government.
The severance of the tie which binds manto
his country is q severe trial, and although he
leaves it for another, still his mind clings with
tenacity to the image of his childhood's home.
The love for his fatherland, the charities of
Heighboriy life, the genial enjoyments of his
relatives society, the amenities of hill and
dale, the beauties of shaded hooks, the man
ners, language, and traditions of his country
all enter into his constitution like his mothers
milk, and penetrate the remotest channels of
his being. 1t is next to impossible, therefore,
that he should regard another land, with whose
institutions, history, and traditions he is unac-
quainted, with that degree of amor pafrie,
which is necessary in people holding in their
hands the perpetuity of republic. Habits
planted, and we well know that it is in the hu-
man sympathies alone that a foundation can be
laid, not only for the moral virtues, hut for the
preservation of peace, and reverence for law
Not only does it produce a decline of
patriotism, which, of itself, is a most deplora-
BILE evil, but it is destructive to great extent
OF the fundamental principles of our govern
ment. So large class Of persons as are now
pouring into our country, and in few years
exercising the rights of citizenship, without
comprehending the history, policy, or nature
of our institutions, must necessarily have a
detrimental effect, not only upon our own citi-
zens from association, but upon the policy and
principles of the Government. And when we
remember that they are not only ignorant of
our history and institutions, but imbued with
sentiments and instincts antagonistic to repub-
licanism, we may, with still greater reason, be
alarmed for the purity of our American Insti-
tutions.
Although we commenced with the inten tion
Of discussing this interesting subject at length,
we find that it is impossible to do so in news
paper article. 1t becomes us, however, to be-
ware of the too great expansion of the blight
ing stream now pouring into our land, whose
inevitable tendency is to corrupt the commu-
nifty and consume its substance.
"SAM' IN SPAIN.
Scarcely have we received the news that
the little state Of Sardinia has called forth the
ire of the Holy Father by ssdestroying, almost
totally, all the religious associations of both