, 1856-01-04
The Social Features Of the Issn, Of ISj6.

IhCH'ioi '"ipHISh VI lOou, are OF as lnucn
Importance to us as any upon which the
people Of the United States shall have
} been divided it may be said with much
show of truth, that they are more so, mas
much as the prevalence of the doctrines Of
Know Nothngism would not only work
change in the law of the Constitution, with
) respect to the privileges of foreign born
citizens, but would he the beginning of a
vast revolution in our social institutions
, The freedom and equality of all men is the
great idea upon which our democratic in-
stitutions are founded. The people do not
belong to the government-bnt the gov
ernment belongs TO them, and is their crca-
ture. To be once subject, is not to be
i always a subject. NJ absolute or qualified
property in the citizen is conceded to any
Power, nor are their rights regarded as is
suing from any source more sovereign than
themselves Liberty and freedom of con-
science have not been of slow growth, or
commeusurate only with the abridgement
-of despotic power, but are one Of the con
ditions upon the concessions Of which, So
ciety has been organized, and upon the per-
pctuity Of which it can only be preserved ::
in other words, all the natural rights of
man are regarded as theoretically absolute,
and subject TO qualification, only so far as
may be found necessary for community Of
selfgovernment. As DemOcrats-as Re-
publicans- citizens ofIhe United States
I have asserted these doctrines to be applica-
bic not only to themselves, but to humani-
ty at large. In the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence they were proclaimed as the only
legitimate basis of government aud no
opportunity has been avoided by our sue.
cessive Presidents and cabinets, in their
official intercourse with foreign nations, to
insist upon them TO the utmost limits.
In 1912 VIC went TO war with Great
Britain rather than submit to her attempt
ed enforcement of the doctrine Of non-eXpa-
triation, and to uphold the right of for.
egner to absolve himself from all allegiance
to his native government and become O
subject of our own. AT later date, and
in foreign port, Commander Ingrahan
took Kosia from the very clutches Of Aus
tria because he had abjured that govern
ment and declared his intention to become
a citizen of the United States. The Fed
eral authorities approved the whole matter,
aud Austria was compelled, at least in this
instance, to acknowledge the democratic
doctrine Of expatriation. The object Of
this liberality toward foreign born citizens
is, not only to assert the rights Of man
against the antiquated and exploded no.
tions, of the divine rights Of Kings, and
other Surviving hcresies of borbaric ages,
but to make them feel and know that when
they become American citizens by naturali-
zation, they are as much entitled to the i'm
munities and protection Of the government,
both at home and aoroad, as those who
nrc to the "manor born !" that they ore
in no respect Of political or social rights in
ferior to native citizens, and will not be
made prescribed or disfaanchised portion
of the community. In matters ofreligious
faith our laws are equally emphatic and
tolerant. The constitution recognizes no
religion, nor sets up any faith as the test
Of qualification for Office. ConiormSts and
Mont Conlormists, Catholics and Heretics
are equally unknown to the law, and it was
the intention of the founders Of the Repub-
lie to place all sects upon the same social
footing, by thus purposely withholding the
countenance or assistance of the govern
ment from each alike. In both these mat
. ters of right aud policy, public opinion has
TINS far approved and followed in the wake
Of the Constitution. No citizen has been
less esteemed because he is of foreign birth,
or of the Catholic, or Protestant or jew
ish Persuasion. In fact, efforts which have
been made at various times to create preju-
dices against foreign born citizens and
Catholics have been discountenanced and
put down by tho people. 1t h been re-
served 10 this day, to find any inconsidera-
BILE portion Of our citizens, advocating doc
trines Of civil and religious prescription.
The tendency Of the movement is palpable.
If the law is made to impose disabilities
upon a particular class of persons, either
, on account of their foreign birth or relig-
ious predictions, they must fall below
I other citizens in point of privilege and use
: fulness and take q mere secondary rank in
the community. Public opinion will take
cognizance of the fact. However much ii
may sympathize with those who may be
unjustly degraded, it cannot but prefer
! those who are more favored. Any discrimi-
nation whatever that may be made against
the capabilities Of a particular class Of citi-
E zens cannot but create Caste, and with the
rise Of Castes fall, Equality, the sublimest
feature of Democracy. If the doctrines Of
! Know Nothingism should prevail, there
would be an entire revolution in the feel,
ings Of society as regards prescribed foreign
. born citizens. Instead of being admitted
to an equal participation in all the honors
E of social distinction and preference, and
even elevated when meritorious, to high
: places in the government, they would be
. regarded as wanting in some of the noblest
attributes Of freemen, and untitled for the
companionship of their more favored fel-
t lows. 1t is not in human nature to resist
these feelings, however discreditable they
may be in the abstract Israel has not yet
uaanunrnd from tho nnnntr Of E.--ntin IL