Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-19
AMERICAN ORGAN.
Impeachment Of the Know N othings.


We arraign them as teachers Of tyranny and as
attempting to revive the worst ideas of George Ill
They would undo, If let alone, the work which was
done by the patriots of the revolution and the au
thors of the Union. They are afraid of immigra-
ton, and they seek to discourage 1t by law. They
strike at religious freedom, and would set up rcl-
gious tests They declare a war of races, and
would exclude naturalized citizens from Office
Washington Union.
Very singular truly, that the sons Of those who
fought for our liberties, should have so degene-
rated, that, despite the teachings of their revolu
tionary sres, regardless Of sound Democratic prin-
cipes and after SO long enjoying the blessings pur
chased by that struggle, they should now become
/" teachers of tyranny" and attempt to revive the
worst ideas Of George the Third" And what have
these poor misguided Americans done to justify
snch reproach? Why, they are in favor of
Americans ruling America. They are opposed to
allowing our cities to be garrisoned by foreign
troops. They think the press should be free to
speak out its honest convictions on all subjects,
whether civil or religious. And when any religion
is used as cloak to political designs they claim
the right to denounce it, regardless of party rules
or the corrupt policy of hackneyed leaders. They
hail the yirtuous exile to our shores and cheerfuly
share with him our birth-right, but say to him in
plain terms that think our institutions can most
safely be intrusted to the hands Of those who can
They protest against receiving foreign paupers and
criminals to support in our prisons and aims
houses They point the finger Of scorn at all dem
agogues who would band foreigners together for the
sakeo riding into Office by theraid. They consider
American citizenship too valuable boon, too high
an honor, too precious pnyilege to be enjoyed
by the lowest dregs of European society until they
have proved themselves sufficiently honest and
worthy to enjoy it,
They are not so blind or wlfully ignorant as not
to see that our country has been ruled by foreign
votes, and to know that being an American,
and imbued with sentiments purely American, has
been in many places disqualification for Office
They have seen mighty element Of power, foreign
in its spirit and yrannica in Its tendencies silently
rising up in their midst, and moving with rapid
strides towards the highest places in our govern
ment, until emboldened by success it has not only
attempted to lay violent hands upon our common
school system, and to ruin that greatest safeguard
of our liberties, but to exclude Americans as far
as possible from Office. They have seen this, and
dared to raise the cry of reform, and for this they
are denounced as I" teachers of tyranny" as
striking at religious freedom" and "declaring
a war of races.n
We think it will be difficult for the Washington
Union, even with the aid of executive power and
patronage, to convince intelligent people of any
such nonsense.
We believe that no party since the old Ameri-
can party of rs has been more soundly republican
than is the American party of ffty-four Our
principles are the same as theirs. We have simi-
lar abuses to correct, and enemy that in short
time would be far more dangerous to contend
with.
What is the true object Of naturalization laws ?
Is 1t to place in the market as merchandise for po.
litical hucksters bands Of fbreigners9 Or is it to
nationalize and Americanze thems If as has been
the case for the past few years. any portion Of the
naturalized citizens are still to be considered as
foreigners, and rewarded with place and position
because they are such, then does the true object
of naturalization fail TO accomplish the purpose for
which it was intended
We are willing that foreigners should hold and
transmit property under moderate restrictions we
are willing they shall enjoy their religion, however
false and tyrannical its teachings may be. But we
deny their right TO naturalization until they shall
have become really and truly American, both in
feeling and in principle.
And, as to their holding Office, we are of the
opinion that the fewer of them that come TO our
shores for such purpose the better 1t will be for
us and for the country.
Batapia (N ~ Spirit Of the Times.