The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-04-13
[From the Washington Globe.] T.
Know-Nothingism as Viewed by an Adop-
ted Citizen. -

ted Citizen. .s !4fl*
The following, which first appeared in
the South Carolinian, is believed to be, and
no doubt is, from the pen of DIR. Lieber,
whose name is well known in science and
literature. The arguments are fair and phil
osophlcal and temperate. AS lie chooses
however, TO Introduce the names of Girard
and Astor, he ought to have been little
more discriminating, and in favor of Girard,
who was by far the most liberal of the two.
and who may be said truly to have "lcft all
his fortune to America" but his hcirs--not
his chiIdrcn-havc rightcousIy enough sue
cccdcd i'll recovering portion of it. Astor's
donation to the city OF New York for H.
brary, was muniiicent one, certainly, but
we believe it is the oncly one lie ever made
that could be so called. Girard was always
giving, and giving literally, but he might
have done much more good with his wealth
than he did. He had 10 children, Astor
had, which made difference, and ought to
be considered, we suppose:
4Hcssrs. Editors: The temperate and
sound communication of "Southron," on
the Known othings, i'll your paper, instan.
ccs number Of American citizens, born in
foreign countries, that have Loyalty and faith
fully stood by their adopted country on the
battle field, and served the Government of
their choice with their head, and heart, and
blood, even to death.
This suggests another remark. Let lis
look around, rs matters stand now, and let
us survey the history of our land; scan the
names of those who have. been prominent
in the many walks of life, and the varied
spheres of action and activity, and you will
find i'll every one of them fair, and even Il
large number of men who were or are
American citizens by choice. Among the
most eminent or most widely useful Amcri-
can dvnes there have always been, and
are to this day, many born on the other
side Of the Atlantic. The same will be
found 10 be the case if you examine the list
of great advocates and Of American states
men throughout the land. The same is
true Of teachers, authors, philosophers, Of
physicians Of editors and artists, merchants
artisans and farmers, Of navigators and ar
chitccts, Of manufacturers and inventors.
There are many persons who seem to
have accustomed themselves to connect with
the idea Of the usefulness of immigrants,
canal-digging Irishmen and farm-Iaboring
"Dutch," as if all the good we derive from
immigration is Irish bone and German
muscle. A moments reflection will show
them their serror. We do not only or
mainly speak of those citizens by choice
who in their spheres are what the "foreign-
crs" Astor and Girard were in the mercan-
tile pursuit. As we speak of all spheres, so
we speak of all degrees Of success of skill
and intellect. Every reader can test what
we say in his immediate circle around him.
Let him "call the roll" let him "mark" the
citizens by choice, and "inwardly digest"
the result.
Having mentioned Astor and Girard,
whose industry and intelligence enabled
them to acquire princely fortunes and who,
with corresponding liberality, rendered mil
lions to the community in which they be-
came so rich, we cannot refrain from telling
little anecdote, which strikingly shows
with what naivcte nativism is sometimes
working. Girard, it is well known, left ma
ny millions for the purpose of establishing
an orphan house. He was native French
man, but left all his fortune to America.
When the time approached for the appoint
mcnt Of the chief officer of that college for
orphans, a number of trustees were desr-
Gus Of electing person who for many long
years had been citizen of the United
States, and to whom actually the drafting
of a plan for the whole organization Of the
institution had been committed.
He was not, however, appointed, becaus,
as it was intinated to him, nativism was
then too strong in Philadelphia. Nativism
was not too strong 10 receive ten millions
of dollars at the hands of a foreigner" ."
The susceptibility of nativism docs not lie in
that region; but it was Of peculiar delicacy
whenithe question was to moderate salary
out Of the proceeds of the gigantic capital
to person who it was declared was consid-
cred otherwise the very person the trustees
would have selected had it not been.for a
certain degree of longitude marking the
place of his birth.
We say, then, that so far as skill, indus
try, intelligence, productive labor, elevating
talent, and success of every kind are con-
cened, citizens by choices are found among
the foremost. How is it:With that truthful
loyalty which is the choicest jewel in the
citizenship of freemena We subscribe what
was once said in anotherplace, that through
out all history of this, hemisphere. and the
other, Of ancient times as well as modern,
Eyou will find among the most devoted and
patriotic citizens names Of foreign origin
i ! There is no more solemn acton record
than that o. the meeting Of the Neither
Handlers, whentEey resolved, in the darkest
hours ofItrialtto which Philip the Second
II - h.rSy -