Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-05-12
THE AMERICAN PARTY---ITs gin.
TOLERANCE" AND "PROSCRIP-
TIONs,

TOLERANCE" AND ssPRosCRIP-
TION."
Many we'll meaning persons who sec 81 to oppose
the American party, profess to believe that It's
principles and policy were especially ordained for
the purpose Of wasng scctarian warfare against
the Roman Catholics on account Of their religious
faith. The opposition organs cry out 'intolerancc'
and prescription" aud the echoes Of this alarm,
as they reyerberate from the mouths Of the lesser
lights. meet with hearty response from these who
are prcudicci against the party. but who have not
taken the trouble to inform themselves Of the true
nature OF the principles upon which Il is based
No such charges can be sustained from the action
Of any State Council from the admissions Of any
one authorized to declare the sentiments Of the par
ty, MOI from the tone Of any press that advocates
its fundamental principles They are either will
ful Misrepresentation or ignorant assumptions.
! The American party leave the matter Of religions
belief where 1t is lcft by the Constitution Of the
l United States They assume no power to eontrui
the conscience direct the faith Of any individual
But they do hold that when man presents himself
as a candidate for a secular or political Office with
in the gin Of the people, it is indispensable that he
take the oath Of office without any mental rcscrya-
ton, and that he shall hold ii paramount to oil 9TH
err obligations.
Its generally known that every ecclesiastic Of the
Romish Church, upon assuming the duties Of his
Office, subserbes to an obligation that he will obey
and defend the "Ponti6caie" in matters both spir-
itual and temporal 1t is furthermore known that
the aity Of that church bound by the strongest
obligations that can be imposed, to render implicit
obedience to the dictates and desires Of the Clergy
Individual opinions not recognised; and all pri-
vate Interpretation is entirely ignored. SO long as
any individual class Of individuals see fit to sub
scribe to such dogmas, in their capacity as private
citizens, we have no legal grounds for complaint
nor any just cause for interference But when
those, believing thus, strive to ill places Of honor
and trust in the state or nation. VIC have an un-
doubted right to inquire whether their elevation
will be conducive to the welfare Of free institutions
and, II we believe 1t will not are in duty bound
to oppose their pretensions wthou, being subjected
10 duuunoiA'i''l as inIoierant proscuptive. ira
Wing votes fora Wing in preference 70 n Democrat,
or Democrat votes for one Of his own party in
preference to Wing, or Roman Catholic gives a
like expression Of his preference Of one Of his re-
lgious faith over Protestant, without subjee,ing
himself to the charge Of intolerance we sec no re
son why Protestant believing the dogmas Of Ro-
manism subyersive Of the principles Of civil liberty
should not be allowed equal freedom in voting for
candidates who sympathse with him in matters Of
faith aud practice.
The American party are also charged with being
hostile to the immigration Of foreigners, and with
being aetuated by desire to prevent their ever
rising to participation in all the rights imnuni-
ties and privileges Of American citizens Frequent
reference is made to the names Of those Of foreign
birth, who participated in our revolutionary strug
giles, and who contributed so largely to the indie
pendence and prosperity Of our country. The ar
chves of our government, the messages and ad-
dresses Of the earlier presidents, and the writings
Of the founders of the republic have been ransack
ed to find warnings agsins tthe "intolerant Yoli-
cy" Of the American party,
We know Of no true American who wishes to pre-
vent intelligent, industrious and honest emisrants,
heartily sick OF the unjust oppresslons tyrnn-
meal rule Of European dcspots,. from seeking an
asylum in our country. We are ever ready to take
them by the hand, to threw around them the pro-
lection of our laws, and in due time, after they
shall have become thoroughly acquainted with the
genius OF our government, and the practical work.
ngs of Its policy, admit them to all the rights Of
, citizenship-the most glorious boon they can re-
ceise. We do however object to placing the gno-
rant, prejudced and halfciSilized hordes that are
daily landing our shores, Immediately upon
their arrival, upon political equality with our ma
tive-bon population. We insist that they shall &c
through probationary trial of sufficiently long du-
ration to test their competence to take part in our
public affairs, and their willingness to discharge
faithfully all the duties pertaining to citizenship.
: To the immigration Of a certain class of foreign.
ers an insuperable objection should be interposed.
The United States should not in future, as II has
been too frequently in the past, be made hospital
for the myriads Of paupers that are sent from the
old world at the public expense nor place Of ref
uge for the thousands Of raseas and criminals tina,
have been expatriated for their villainies. We dc
not desire to have country made cess-pool in
to which all the sewers of European society shall
empty their filth and garbage, and turbid waters
II this be prescription" the American party can
well afford to be called "proscriptive.'
The facility with which the toreign-born portion
Of our population have participated in our elections
is just source of complaint, and one which the
American party purpose to remedy In some Of
, the larger cities in the United States emigrants
have been allowed to vote before they had compet-
ed term Of residence equal to that required Of ma
tiye-born citizens. The avidity with which these
imported votes are sought, and the appeals and
promises made to such voters by the wire-puers oil
the old parties have excited the disgust of all ru,
Americans The erich Irish brogue' and The
''sweet German accent have been made the FIRE.
quent subjects of honeyed speeches from sycophan
! tic politicians in want Of their votes.
The character Of these appeals and the manner
in which the foreign vote has been courted, togeth
err with the frequency Of this sort of eectioneerng
are sufficient proofs that naturalzed citizens ar,
not expected to discharge the highest duties Of theil
citizenship understandngly. They are led to be-
lieve that they the very best portion Of the pop