Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-03-29
Foreign Ignorance.

ci6n 464OAanCC.
It is alleged that foreigners cannot in five
years acquire knowledge of our institutions.
This argument, if put into a syllOgism would
read thus Ignorant persons should not vote
foreigners are ignorant-therefore foreign
ers should not vote. Now, according to our
political system, as long established, Ignorance
is no disqualification. The census-retuns
show very appalling amount of ignorance
among our Native American population
particularly in the slave States but Bishop
HOPKISs seems the only man bold enough TO
demand that voters should be examined on
their knowledge of our constitution Consis-
tent men would insist on lettered quaitica-
ton for aR But consistency is jewel as
rare as it is precious. Before we can be re-
auired to answer the charge Of ignorance made
ayainst foreigners, our opponents are bound,
as logical reaSoners, to define their position
in reference TO the Ignorance of native Ame-
rieans What say you, gentlemen? are you
in favor of sworn board of examiners at
every precinct, armed with WEBsTER's Die
tionary. and MANsFIELDs Political Grammar,
or works of a similar kind, together with \
good supply of stationery and steel pens, to
put the applicant for a freeman'srights through
an examination Be candid. If you think
ignorance disqualification, say 50; and pro-
claim it to the people in bold and manly
tones.
This charge of ignorance hes just enough
of truth in it to make the objection plausible
to superficial Observers
In the United States there are more than
seventy German newspapers, some of them
with very large cireulations. Political topics
are as eIaborateIy discussed in them as in our
own journals. Those who know the econom-
ical and, at the same time, gregarious habits
Of the Germans win be fully convinced that
each paper paid for will have at least ten
readers. In some States the laws and other
public documents are publishedsin German
by authority, and extensively circulated. We
do not approve of this plan, because it tends
to prevent that anna -s,amation of races which
we think desirable. But these facts prove
that the charge of igno: nee against our Ger
man friends cannot be sustained. We have
before us now German translation of Profess
sor Larrabee's first Report ON Public Instruc-
ton, which, as our readers know, was val
uable and extensive pamphlet containing
much general information. This was for the
Germans of Indiana.
The truth is, it is rare 20 find a German
who cannot both read and write. Americans
think them ignorant because of their own ig-
norance Of the German language. As a race,
they have stolid and heavy countenances T;
but appearances are deceptive.
Not unfrequently, may be discovered, un-
der the mask of slow, dirty, almost IDIOT
looking day-laborer, scholar familiar with
Schiller and Goethe; and the red faced,
greasy Fraulein, who thinks the feather bed
~should be on top Of sheets and counterpane,
the great amusement of American ladies,
n<r13 ker Bible and Life of Dr. Martin Lu
her. and write very respectable letter.
- Again, Americans are brought into contact
principally with day-laborers, and those who
work out. These are of course, not the best
specimens. The better classes, who have
some resources, buy land or engage in some
quiet business by which they are brought into
very little social intercourse with Americans
The difference of language is barrier not
often passed
Again, we have, through the country,
large number of highly educated Germans
engaged as editors, ministers of the gospel
authors, professors in cur colleges, physicians
and lawyers
These men have sought our country to be
come citizens. Their sense of the rights o
man, denied them in Europe, brought then
here. But the immigration Of this class will
cease when they find that the same indigni
ties and deprivations await them here whicl
they had at home. As an illustrious exam
pie, we name DR. Leiber, of South Carolina
author of Political Hermaneuties and othe
valuable works on our institutions Tn
country is blessed with many such men.
Many Of the Irish, we admit, are ignorant
But they speak our own language, and ar
quick to learn. Pat is an apt scholar; ant
five years residence and temperance habit
make him a good citizen. The same amoun
of effort expended in the temperance caus
(nOt by oppressive legislation) which is use
in this secret association, would make on
Irish population the choice Jewels of the ma
ton. 1t is astonishing how many of ou
great men are Of Irish origin The fine elt
ments of Irish character, when properly eros.
ed with Teutonic blood, produce men of tn
highest type.
The American race, like the Corinthia
order in architecture, is to be the combine
ton and commingling of all excellences, anC
on no account could the Irish element b
dispensed with.
Our Scotch, English and Welch popull
ton, shown by the census to be 10000, a
admit to be intelligent and entirely unexcel
tionable.
New Albany and Salem Railroad
That efficient officer, Mr.. JAMES Brook
the President Of the New Albany and Sale
Railroad, has succeeded, we are most hapT
to say, in negotiating a loan for the compar
with which he is connected, of four hundrt
thousand dollars.
portion of this money, it is understoo
will be applied to the liquidation of tho
outstanding claims which have heretofo
weighed down the energies of the compar
and fettered the action of its officers. I'll
other portion will he appropriated to Il
thorough repatriation Of the road and to Il
purchase of such hstock as will give it perfe