The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-19
a GLANCE AT THE PAST

WASHINGTON, VI, Aprit >, 1870.
The great commissions in Europe, caused by
the French revolution of 1898, threw upon
our shores large bodies of exiles and refugees,
who, sympathizing with their brethren at home,
were eager to procure the Intervention of this
country to aid III establishing Democratic inSti-
buttons in Europe. Instead of making due al
lowance for their natural sympathy for their
brethren, and calmly refusing to grant their
wishes, they were met in lactious spirit OF OPP
position; and hence, in 1893, am act, under the
Administration of John Adams, was passed. re-
curing fourteen years residence IN this coun-
try prior TO naturalization. Religious bigotrv
contributed to produce this result; and when
four years after, under the Administration of
Thomas Jefferson, that law was repealed, and
five years only were required prior to naturali-
cation, many grave and reverend heads predict
cd that our religions liberty would be destroyed
through foreign influence, and our civil insttu-
tons be endangered. Notwithstanding this,
the liberal policy brought prosperity, and the
Tact Is acknowledged that that prosperity was
not seen in its present influences only, but cX-
tended to more remote results and the Admin
iStration of Jefferson has been endorsed by the
masses of the American people, as conducting To
The public good. The excitement against for.
eigners, though overruled. continued for years,
and IN 1914 the famous /" Hartford Federal Con
vention" put forth the doctrine that "no per
son hereafter naturalized shall be eligible as a
member Of the House Of Representatives, or
hold any civil Office under the authority Of the
United States" This ilhberal and unjust doc
trine, which makes a mans birthplace and not
his character and principles a test for Office,
was not endorsed by the people, and has been
considered as disgrace to the honest but big
oted men who promulgated it. To be called
" Hartford Convention Federalist, has for years
been considered an insult by most Americans :;
yet in 1915, party has sprung up, who have
taken one of the most rotten planks of that Con-
vention upon which alone to found political
party; and, as if selEcondemned and ashamed
to carry on their war of persecution and pro-
scription openly, they have sought to cover their
works by the veil of secrecy and to bind them
selves together by sinful oaths.
Bylooking at the past, they might have learn
ed lesson. If in the infancy of our Nation,
free discussion and liberal and just measures
conduced to union and consolidation, how much
more safe now, when in less danger from for
eigu influence, to trust the same measures. All
the lessons of the past, and just and compe-
tent knowledge of human nature, teach us that
there is no surer way to make an enemy of a
true friend, than to prescribe and prosecute
him. There is, and can be, no other way to
4" AmericaniZe America" than to cast aside IN
vidious distinctions, and in the spirit of true
friendship and peace, let those who emigrate
here become Americans, and as generations
pass they are lost in the masses, and are Amer
leans. If they are prescribed and prosecuted,
their children will retain in degree the feel
ings cngendered by such course. Tho Divine
law, Whatsoever measure ye mete shall be
measured to you again, is as applicable to ma
tions and to parties as to individuals.
l. II W