The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-22
MEANNEss AND CRUELTY.

Since the "American" movement-Heaven
save the mark!-has been set on foot, the author
tiles of our seaports have opened a war upon
the poor emgrants; and the meanest and most
cruel persecution of the unhappy wretches who
are short of means when they land, has been
practiced under the patronage of the "Amer-
can" party that has ever disgraced our country
If an emigrant has the misfortune to be poor
or sick, or have sick family, when he lands,
he is set down as a pauper, and must show his
means of living before he can get footing upon
this a" land of the free and home of the brave"
The poor creatures, who, in spite of poverty
and oppression at home, have strained the last
nerve to raise the passage fee, that they may
begin the world anew in this boasted asylum
of the oppressed of all nations" are now requir-
ed to have funds ahead, or be treated as
Migrants or criminals.
We see various accounts of proceedings
against emigrants, that should make any Amer
leans cheek tingle with shame when he reads
them. A short time since, a number of poor
strangers were refused landing at Boston, be-
cause they were poor; and were actually ship
ped back again, to endure the perils of winter
voyage while some ten or twelve have been
imprisoned in the "Tombs of New York, on
suspicion of their being rogues or paupers, and
have only been released on writ Of hdbedS cor
pLS. A Sandman vessel lately arrived at New
York, having on board number of men who
were prevented from landing, because it was
given out that they were criminals, when the
facts were that they were the "noblest Romans
of them all Italians who were driven from
home because of their Republican and Demo
cratic principles The hue and cry raised in
the name Of Americanism has led to this; and
this nation, after presenting herselfto the world
as the free Government par excellence, is at last
found closing her ports against the poor man
who seeks upon her shores the privilege of earn
ing his bread by the sweat of his browl In the
name of humanity, what are we coming to? All
over the Northern States, our people are bound
down by the Fugitive Law, to the disgraceful
character of slave hunters; and smartng under
the infamy of that position, they have scarcely
risen to shake the collars from their necks, till
they are blindfolded and led into a crusade
against the poor but enterprising immigrant, who
seek our shores that he may become an Amer
lean, because he loves the ShGdOao of liberty we
have vauntingly presented him, which we prove
by the treatment we give him to be a shadow
only. We hunt the painting fugitive from Slave
ry as he flies for Freedom, send back the poor
man who seeks to earn his bread among us;
and imprison the enthusiastic republican who
rushes into our arms from the grasp of Euro
pean despotism! In Heavens NAME how must
we appear to the liberal and enlightened minds
of the world?
The clamor about foreign convicts and pau
pers simply means hatred of foreigners The
cases where convicts have been imported are
exceptions; and as to paupers, while many
have landed with no money in their pockets,
they have strength, and are willing to labor.
In the last days of the session of Congress,
Mr.. Wentworth, of Massachusetts, from the
Committee on Commerce, obtained leave to re-
port a blu to prevent the introduction of for
eign paupers, criminals, lunatics, idiots insane
and blind persons, into the United States No
time was allowed for examination, and the
previous question was demanded. On this no
quorum voted, for numbers were unwilling to
commit themselves for or against such q meas
ure. They suspected it was wrong, but feared
the Know Nothings. The demand for the pre-
vious question was withdrawn, and Mr.. Breck-
inridge in few words exposed the atrocities
of the bill. Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, seemed
willing to relieve the Know Nothings of the
odium of it. Mr.. Wentworth absolutely spoke
in favor of it.
"The question being taken on the passage
of the bill, there were yeas Ga, nays 48-no
quorum voting.
"Several members moved call of the
House.
" Mr.. Disney. Yes; the Know Nothings are
lodging around here, and move to cali them
out. Laughter.
"a quorum was ascertained to be present.
Mr.. Hubbard moved to lay the bill on the
table; which motion was subsequently agreed
to-"
So the vile thing was disposed of. It's very
Introduction was discreditable to an American
House Of Representatives.
The States have the right, under their police
power, to prohibit the introduction, within their