The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-11-03
For the Journal.
Naturalization.


population, as the moving cause of Know
Nothingism. No unkind or embittered feel
ING prompted the remarks then made, but a
sincere desire to benefit our naturaizsd cit
iz,ns BY disclosing the truth as it is. wish
not to abuse them, neither will hatter them,
believing that simple, rugged truth is better
calculated to promote their welfare than Ell
ther invectivc or hollow pretensions of
friendship.
And would here remark, that conceive
the course and conduct of the alien born, less
rrprehensble than those of our unprlncpled
native born demagogues. The latter know
the right but pursue the wrong, whereas the
former are condemned for pursuing the wrong
not knowing the right.
Bnt to resume our theme. Another cause
Of the hostility entertained toward foreign
crs is furnished in the attempt of Catholics,
Us Catholics, to seize onr public school mon
les and devote them to sectaran uses This
was an oHtnse, and one for which there can
b. no apology, let alone justification. Our
public school system is not only the bull
wark of but the foundation upon which rests
American freedom. LIT that be weakened
or removed, aud Republican America could
not ouiive two generations. Since 1854
our public school funds have been used to
speclive Of sect or party, condition or race.
They have furnished founts Of living knOWl-
edge to which all could come alike and drink
freely. standing upon the Sam me common lev
el. And never any, until the Catholics, have
sought to render the waters turbid by thrust
Ing in them foul sactarianism. The blow
which they aimed at republican liberty was
little short of treason; happily it was inct-
iectlve, and we hope 1t will never b. repeat
ed. Such an effort can never b. successful
but il may involve those who attempt it in
mistortunes aud sorrow. Our common school
system is sacred altar, upon which is an
nually deposited our offerings to American
freedom. and he who thrusts forth his hand tc
seize sUrrrptitiouSly any portion OF that of
tering. must expect to have it severed from
its parent trunk. Let the past be warning
for the future.
Another cause Of opposition is found in
the manner in which many, ii not most O
them obtain their titles to citizenship. They
manifest no appreciation Of the transcend
ant importance which attaches to the act OF
severiug all allegiance TO one earthly power
and assuming the rights AMI obligations OF
another. Seldom are men Cul,ed upon tC
perfOr,n a more solemn act than this, yet
they generally b.tray no higher ambition, nc
lOitler ASPIRATION tAdn TO become the mere
instruments of casting democratic votes tc
please democratic leaders. They have nc
just conception of the sovereign character
of an American citizen, but look upon it as
a child upon a bauble, something to be de
sired. With eagei haste, and frequently,
fear, with perjury upon their souls, they
snatch from the altar the swords of freemen
and then strike, like men in the dark, no
knowing whe ther they wound foeman O
friend.
These, am aware, are grave charges, anC
may CRATE harShly upon the ears of those 70
whom they are intended. But are they no
true? Who amongst us will lay his hanl
upon his heart and say they are false? Hav,
they not been verified again and again, an,
recently in an emphatic manner at our owl
court house? Men were driven here Iik
cattle. in droves Of hundred or more, from