The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-09-07
THE AMERICAN SENTIMENT.
tfrom the N. Y. Mirror.l

Beneath the foam and n..snsense which
have quite obscured to the superficial gaze
the vital truth that lies at the heart of the
American Increment, the student of the past
easily detects that Independent sentiment of
nationality which animated our fathers, in
their resistance to foreign despotic rule, and
in their heroic struggle to sever the tie that
bound them to the mother country. 1t was
a sentiment bred on the soil, nurturcd by the
hardships of the wilderness, and emboldened
by the success that had attended their efforts
to found an empire in Il new world, against
obstacles and dangers before which less
hardy race would have fallen.S And throug-
out the formative stages of the American
Republic, that sentiment was paramount in
every step taken to consolidate the Union,
and thus to derive substantial, common
benefit, from u Revolution sustained arainst
such fearful odds, and u nationality so hardly
won.
The spirit which actuated our fathers. is
Identical with that which has ever since i'm.
PEELED the American people to guard their
rights and their liberties from foreign inter-
ference. This spirit has increased with the
growth OF the country-with the extension
Of the boundaries Of the Republic, until the
Atlantic joins hands with the Pacific, and
the American Eagle extends its protecting
aegs over people more prosperous and
wealthy, in al She elements of national great
ness, than any upon which the sun ever
shone. 1t is not, therefore, II fanaticism of
modern times, which has led to that more
vigorous manifestation of the American SEN
timent which has Of late grown into move.
ment of gigantic force but well considered
conviction of the people that the welfare of n
continent, subdued by their indomtable ener.
gy and toll, should be entrusted, not to the
ignorant domination of foreign rabble. Int
to the patriotism and intelligence of those
born on the soil, and cherishing lively recu.
lections of the sacrifices by which their liber.
ties were secured.
1t is not religious bigotry-it Is not IA.
natcal prejudice against the refugees from
Ireland, from Germany, or any other country
it is not the ism of that secret organization
rejoicing in the knck name of Know Moth.
ings-whch runs through this sentiment of
Nationality-Of Americanism. 1t is II far
nob!er, higher, and more pervading aspira
tion, which dates back to the foundation of
the Republic, and anterior TO that, coursed
through the veins Of the Pilgrim Fathers
when they crossed the blue waves to escape
religious persecution, and sought the New
World as home for themselves and their
posterity. Religious bigotry has afflicted all
ages and countries. 1t is inseparable from
the superstition which is inherent in the un.
enlightened mind. 1t is perpetual attend.
ant Of all religions, and is rather antagonistc
than peculiar to that pure and liberal chris.
tlanlly, which pervades our Republican insti.
tutons. 1t is allied to that ianaticism which
has given birth to so many monstrous sects
in religion, and perverted the gospel from the
purpose of its founder, into an apology and
support for every disreputablc ism that
charIntans have palmcd off upon our fallen
| race.
1t entered strongly into Know Nothin gism,
and much to do with the reaction in the pub
| tic mind against that new party, whose musll-
room growth could not assimilate principle
so opposed to the catholicity of our nstilu.
tons. But the true American sentiment
bears no'ainity 10 religious intolerance
Such relationship would rob it of its very
being, and make the fabric of national great
ness it has reared, to crumLIe into the dust.
The sentiment Of which we speak is part of
our national life, and throbs in every pulsa-
ticn of the American heart. Washington
commemorated it in his Farewell Address
when he warned us against entangling al.
ances" with foreign powers, and urged the
Importance of educating the masses, as Il
qualification for freedom. Who could not
see in the burning words of that last mani.
festo of the father of his country, patriotic
warning not only against the evil influence
of foreign Governments, but the ignorant
multtudes who would flock to our shores
and claim the prerogativcs OF citizens of the
model Republic, without identifying them.
selves with our people, or comprehending the
| simplest elements of cur free institutions
Washington saw that our colonial tuteage
had left us in the leading strings of foreign
influence. We were yet an infant nation
| subject to all the emergencies of struggling
nationality. While We had acquired politi.
cal Independence, we had not yet asserted
the supremacy of our commerce, our manu-.
features. our mechanic arts, or anything else
peculiarly American.
Fortunately the exigencies of our position,
and the necessity for subduing n new CONT
nent TO the uses of man, have stimulated the
inventive genius of the country; and in the
useful arts we have for outstripped the trans
atlantic nations. They have been glad to
follow our lead in this high department of
art, and have learned to respect the genius of
our inventors and the skill OF our mechanics
and artizans. 1t will soon be our privilege
to lead the world in enterprise and CONNER
cial daring, in manufactures and the arts.
and to influence mankind by the fertility of