The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-04-10

BUFFALO, N. Y, Jan. 8, 1855.

- RESPECTED FRIEND-IsAAC NEwToN:-It
would give me great pleasure to accept your
kind invitation to visit Philadelphia, If it were
possible to make my visit private, and limit it
to few personal friends whom | should be
most happy to see; but know that this would
be out OF my power, and am therefore re-
luctantly compelled to decline your invitation,
as have done others to New York and Bos-
ton for the same reason.
I return you my thanks for your informa-
ton on the subject of politics. | am always
happy to hear what is going forward; but in
dependent Of the fact that feel myself with
drawn from the political arena. ! have been
too much depressed in spirit to take an active
part in the late elections contented my
self with giving silent vote for Mr.. Ullman
for Governor.
While, however, | am an inactive observer
of public events, am by no means an Indifferent
one, may say to you in the frankness of pri-
vate friendship, that / have for long time
looked with dread and apprehension at the
|corrupting influence which the contest for the
foreign vote is exerting upon our elections
This seems to result from its being banded to-
gether, and subject to the control of few in
tereSted and selfish leaders. Hence, it has
been subject of bargain and sale, and each of
the great political parties of the country have
been bidding to obtain it, and as usual in all
such contests the party which is most corrupt
is the most successful. The consequence is,
that it is fast demoralizing the whole country;
corrupting the -ery fountains of political pow
er, and converting the ballot box-that great
palladium of our liberty-into an unmeaning
mockery, where the rights of native born citi-
Gems are voted away by those whe blindly
follow their mercenary and selfish leaders,
of 10 L..
the shameless chaffering for the foreign vote at
nearly every election, but in the large dispro-
portion Of offices which are now held by for
signers at home and abroad, as compared with
our native citizens. Where is the true heart
ed American whose cheek does not tingle 9th
shame and modification to see our highest and
most coveted foreign missions, filled by men
of foreign birth to the exclusion of native born?
Such appointments are Illuminating comics
sion to the crowned heads of Europe, that
Republican soil does not produce sufficient tai
ent to represent Republican nation at mon-
archial Court. | confess that it seems to me
with all due respect toothers, that as gen
eral rule, our country should be governed by
American born citizens. Let us give to the
oppressed of every country an asylum and
home in our happy land, give to all the bene-
fits of equal laws, and equal protection; but let
Us at the same time cherish as the apple OF our
eye the great principles of constitutional liber
ty. which few who have not had the good for
tune to be retired in free country, know
how to appreciate and still less how to pre-
serve.
Washington, in that inestimable legacy
which he left to his country-his farewell adj
dress-has wisely warned US to beware of for
eign influence as the most bancful foe of a re-
publican government. He saw it to be sure
in different light from that in which it now
presents itself; but he knew that it would ap-
preach US in all forms, and hence he cautioned
us against TIM ir1sitious niles of sts influence.
Therefore @s well for our own sakes TO whom
this Invaluable inhabitance of scifsgevenment
has been left by our foreAthers as for the sake
of the unborn millions who are to inherit this
land-foreign and native--let us take warning
of the Father of his Country, and do what we
can justly to preserve our institutions from
corruption, and our country from dishonor, but
let this be done by the people themselves in
their sovereign capacity by making a proper
not by deriving any individual-natve or
foreign born-of any constitutional or legal
right to which he is now entitled.
These are my sentiments in brief: and al |
though have sometimes almost despaired off
my country when have witnessed the rapid |
strides of corruption, yet think perceive
CLEAN Of hope in the future; and now | feel
confident that when the great mass of intell |
gence in this enlightened country is once fully |
aroused, and the danger manifested, it will !
feariessly apply the remedy, and bring back
the Government to the pure days Of Wash
ington's administration. Finally, let us abopt
the old Roman motto, "Neyer despair of the
Republic" Let us do our duty, and trust in
that Providence which has so signally watched
over and preserved US for the result. But I
have said more than intended, and much
more than Ishould have said to any one but .
trusted friend, as / have no desire to mingle
in political strife
Remember me kindly to your family. and believe me,