New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-09-25
DAILY CRESC ENT'
EXTRACTS FROM ]. N. BERRIHN'S LETTER
ON AMERICANISM

4 +s 7fF4|s sfaST3fsl Ia T = y I'll
This eminent and venerable statesrnan NJ
patriot, for third Of century the compe,
OF Clay, Webster and Calhoun, having been j,
hcited from numerous quarters give his view
| upon the American question, has written
letter addressed To the people of Georgia,
in which he takes up the subject and handles
with SURPRISING ability AS the letter is to
long for our limits, we are, oblieed to corteu
ourselves with giving the more important OK
tracts. The letter is dated g Rockingham, Al
September, 1862 q.a.a f5.Iys 5ssSs
After alluding to the condition of the two ol,
parties, the condition Of the so+oalied Demo
cratic party, and the rise and progress Of til
American organization, the illustrious ex. sena
tor proceeds IS follows: % as s4-ei..l
In this state of the controversy, the ones
tlons we are to consider, relate 49, -. /
l. 10 the object contemplated by the Ameri.
can party. s.
2, To the means proposef for ito accornnl;si
ment. f'''s'5
We are first, then, to examine the object oj
this parsy-to ascertain its character, and to
deterEine its tendency to promote or copaict
with the public. Its first great obiect--that
which is elemental and primary and to which
all others are considered as ancillary, OF antic-
Pated as results, as it is expressed in their own
language, is ~ !. -; :
lHaT AMERICANS SHALL GOVERN
AMERlCA-that is, that the people of the
country-these to whom it belongs, shall govern
tine country. This would seem to be q simple,
undeniable and acceptable proposition, recog-
nized by every civilized community, and main
tanned even among the tribes of the forest--and
ho nd hA~n .x.l
u.s., If it could be viewed simply and on its own
merits, apart from those extraneous considera-
tions with which it has been connected, and
complicated, and by which it is Influenced. It
Is incoIceivable that any considerable number
OF American citizens, whether natives, or those
who have been heretofore naturalized, could be
willing to surrender the government of their
country to foreigners-and to that description
OF foreigners, who are annually, and in such
Immense numbers. migrating to our shores. The
naked proposition, simply presented at the do
mestie tressdes Of our citizens, would hardly
ind an advocate. But it is net considered sim
ply, and on its own merits. The aspirations OF
individuals, and the interests of party combine
to forbid it. A great party welding the power
OF the Government, has attained, and maintains
its power by the aid Of 3 vote, which is SUBJ
stantially foreign, although the voters may
have passed through the forms of hurried ma.
turalizaticn. 1t is natural that they should be
unwilling to concur in any measure which might
diEest ,hemo of this power, OF have tendency
70 diminish their present or prospective means
Of securing and increasing it. They are, there
fore, under the promptipgs Of interest, the ad-
voeates Of the foreigner, Jealous to maintain,
and willing to extend his privileges of partioi,
pating in the government of the country. And
then again, the aspiranfs to political eminenceS
those in search Of official position in the State
Or in the Union, who would win the support Of
this great party, must worship at the affairs
which they have consecrated, and be eloquent
in the assertion of the rights of the foreigner,
as if he had any rights here, until we had con-
terred them. Cali to your recollection the
thrilling speeches you have listened to at the
various gatheri gs which you have attended
the pious horror which has been expressed at
the alleged violation of liberty of conscience
the touching pictures which have been drawn
Of our country as the asylum of the oppressed,
the bold assertion of the fitness Of the foreign
immigrant to share your most extensive privi-
leges, in the same extent in which yourselves
enjoy them, and then consider from whom this
comes--say if it proceeds from the
advocates Of The common interest,
or the bold and selfish asserters Of their own.
To accomplish the object expressed in their
primal elementary maxim, that .4mericans
hall gouern .dmerica, the American Party
.st5 5.s5l H. ..e-r% o.
l. Substantial notifications of the acts regu-
ating naturalization. 4
Under the existing laws, FIVE years residence
n the country, and q compliance with the forms i
prescribed by them. entities foreigner 10 citi-
enship, and to all the privileges you enjoy, |
With two or three exceptions, to which it is not 1
to refer. The American party desire |
o enlarge this terin-to provide for a more &C.
urate scrutiny of the claims of persons apply |
ug for nat9ralization - and against the immi- |
ration of paupers and felons into the United |
tates
In my Judgment those measures would be en-
nently conducive to the public welfare This |
, with me no new opinion and it is not now |
,r the first time expressed. Several years ago |
he subject engaged the attention of Congress
IS Chairman Of the Judiciary Committee made |
report to the Senate, contemplating q full and |
nal report at the then next session on the re: |
urn Of certain commissions to ascertain the
arious frauds which were alleged to exist in |
he grant, and subsequent use of naturalization |
apers. Before that time changes in the Senate |
esulted in placing Democratic Senator at the I
cad of the Committee, and the matter was
bandoned. @ |
do not think it necessary to enter into an elab-
rate argument to prove that the indiscriminate |
dmsison of foreigners, after o residence of five |
ears to the privileges Of citizenship is an evil
ye are making-we have thus far successfully
aade-an experiment of self government. Our
rec institutions which have hitherto been found
fficient for national advancement, and for indi-
idual security, have been indebted for their
upport to the loyalty of our people rather than
o their own compulsive powers. The founders
# the Republic we're men qualified for their
fice-united in reaerence for laws-in resist
lnce to oppression-in devotion to the princi-
lies of civil liberty-and the spirit which ami
mated them, was infused into the institutions
which they established 1t was only such men
sho could have founded such a Government
Aen animated by a simtlar spirit, can alone
preserve it. Let the ebertive attempts in revo
utionary France, to establish and maintain
rec institutions, attest the truth of this asser-
ion. at7=
Now PROFOUND this enquiry; Are the for
,gners, who are being, and especially at the
approach of our election, so rapidly ineorpora-
ed among US, likely to be animated by this sal
ttary spirit fitted tp be the guardians Of our
rec institutions? /? Iwould be very sorry to deny
hat among these etnigrants, there ore some
worthy men, who, when familiarized to our in
titutions by long residence among us, may be-
,ome good citizens, and capable of participating
n our privileges, but no candid man will deny
hat large proportion are of very different
consisting for the most part of Red
republicans, or anarchists, criminals and pau
,ers--or will venture when dismounted from
he stumD calmly In aasert that five Venra rpa-