The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-08-21
90 FOREIGNERS

/ The Public Warder," democratic paper, pub
ished Eicotfs Mills Maryland has the following able
editorial article on the subject Of Foreigners
81 FoREIasEn'- THE FOREIGN PAnry.'--'THE FOREIGN
voTEEyery body will recognise these the familiar words
phrases 0: the knownotng press and party They
which refer to things obnoxious in themselves in
lca They must, OF necessity, be extremely oien-
sive to every American citizen, in their general
political application yet they used constantly, often
sivey and persstenty by the know nothing partyused
moreover by newspapers aud individuals who affect to
and regard the propetes decencles and courtees o!
social intercourse.
awe propose examine these terms, in their just and
proper meaning according to the true American interpreted
them And in the outset assert that ii these
are rightly used by the know nothing party then that party
not only establishes the nferory of the republic of Uni
ted States the nonarchca nations of Europe but at the
time comedies the personal dependence and political
subserviency of muudes of their members to the
crowned heads of Europe.
The term ore ner does not in itself convey any
proacl individual and may be properly applied by
American citizens native nsturazed to any who is
not citizen of the United States. European visit
America is foreigner Ambassadors and ministers to the
United States foreigners. Immigrants yet admitted
citizenship foreigners These latter may feel and
tertain very properly interest in the political affairs
government under which they intend live and be-
czenzed but they cannot with the propriety
take active part in political affairs and should refrain
from such exhibition of their feelings STILL it would be
hardly consistent with humanity to apply gag-law' to
them, ard heap upon them and indignation and
poach for the respectful expression of their views and scn
ments in social intercourse and gentleman would do it,
So far the consistent and appropriate of the
eigner. But beyond this the ndscrmnate of the
citizens born any other part of the world than the Uni
ted States is peculiarly anti AMERICAN
SIN illustration Of our proposition shall refer directly
subject of the British throne for it with that have
directly asserted and maintained the broad theory our
We suppose, them that native of either Of the
divisions of Groat Britain and Ireland being subject the
Queen of England abandons that country the
ted States declares his intentions become citizen and
finally his allegiance to the Queen swears
egance to the constitution and Of the United
States That he be foreigner'-ufe,}s
uareseredy pquolfedy The change absolute His po-
cal existence absorbed in the nationality of tho United
States He cannot be foreigner amongst after this
He claim to be foreigner without classifying his oath
and exposing himself justly to the reproach of perjury
the other hand, to designate him foreigner ia to i'm
pugn bis oath and to challenge his fidelity But it may be
objected that this not the in which the is used
that is only which distinguishes him from the nope
citizen Then, the term is political absurdy and at once
degrades the theory of our government we inmaed at
the outset.
native Of Great Britain has become citizen Of tho
United States, yet still call him foreigner Then we
concedc the theory of Great Britain that he
his allegiance the throne II foreigner he is still sub
jet Of the British throne The alternative inevitable lie
is foreigner he is l be is not he citizen Of tho
United States. He cannot be both The thing perfectly
transparent-the absurdity is distinctly seen.
But the absudy does not stop here. Not only by such
absurd OF the term foreigner do virtually assert
the n'erory Of the theory of government to the pre-
of the British throne but involve mutudes OF the
born the second and third generation in the conse
quences Of this absurdy We do know when the theory
the British renqushes claim upon the de-
ccndans of her absent Subjects but it certainly extends to the
third generation Hence most IL all of the children of
persons who have loft Great Britain that power ac
knowedged the independence OF the United States are subjects
ofe Queen Of England This is not proposition must
be remembered 10 is the legitimate consequence of the
know nothing and application OF the term foreigner
How do you suppose they keitp Why, they would resent
it psssonatey, deny it vaorousy. But put them to the ar
gument from their proposition and they nexroaby
involved in their absurdityn