Litchfield enquirer., 1856-04-03
Mn. FrLLxoRE's AxrhicAsrsx.-A friend de-

MR FILLxoRE's AxEsfcASrsx-A friend de sires the republication of aprivate letter. MT, Fillmore wrote giving his views on Ameri-l oamism. early in 1855. Though not sympa1i thising with thes sentiments of the convention which nominated Mir. Fillmore, we give the document, as manly and noble vindication of American principles ss .a ..-e ..,1.r ~r
 ss fev BUFFALO, N. F., Jan. 8, lS55. si4
 Respa7ed Eiesd-IsAAc NEwros: It would give me great pleasure to accept your kind invitation to visit Philadelpha if possible to 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 reluctantly compelled to decline your invitation, as have done others New York and Boston for the same reason.
 return you my thanks for your information on the subject of politics. am always happy to haar what A going forward but independent of the fact that feel myself withdrawn from the political arena I have been too much depressed in spirit to take tive part in the late elections. contented with giy ing asiicnt vote for Mir. Ullman for Governor.
 While, however, am an inactive observer of pub uc events, am by no means indifferent one, may say to you in the of private friendship that have for long time looked with dread and appre- hension at the corruptng influence which the contest for the foreign vote is exertng upon elections
 This seems to result from it's being banded together and subject to the control of few interested and sell fish leaders Hence it has been a 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 most successful The consequence is, that it is fast dcrnoraiizing the whole country corrupng the very fountains of political power and converting the ballot box-that great palladium of our liberty-int0 unmeanng mockery, where the rights of native born citizens are voted away by those who blisily follow their mercenary and selfish leaders, The eyi- dence of this is found not merely in the shameless chaHering for the foreign vote at every election, but in the large disproportion of offices which held by foreigners at home and abroal, compared with native citizens. Where Is the true hearted American whose cheek does not jingle with shame and Inortifcation to highest and most coveted fbreign missions filled by of foreign birth to the exclusion of native born, Such appointments humiliatng confession to the crowned heals of Europe that Republican soii does not produce snlE cient talent to represent Republican natljn at Ino narchiai Court. confess that 1t seems to with all due respect to others. that general rulc country should be governed by AnY,rican born citi zens. Let give to the oppressed oi every country m aslyuin and a home in our hspy land, give toal the benefits of equal laws, and equal pfo.cction but let us at the time cherish tc apple Of our eye the, great principles of constntionl liberty, which few who have not had the good fortune to bc reared in free country, know how to appreciate and still less how to preserve. ...s. H.. | Left to hls country his frcwell address has wisely warDci to beware of foreign influence as the most baneful foe of a republican government. He saw it 10 bc in different light from that Ia which it now presents itself; but he kncw that it would ap proadal in all forms anl hcnc; he ciutionclis against the sidous wie. of is ni~rncc Thcrciure as we'll f,r our own stkcs to whom t>invaluable Aher. itapcc of 1elf government has been left by fore fathers as for the salc of the unborn millions who are to inherit this land foreign and native let us take warming of the Father of his Country, and do what we justly to preserve onr institutions from corruption. and country from dshpnor, but let this be done by the people themselves in their sovcr eign capacity by making proper discrimination in the selection of officers. ana mt by deprivnR any in dividual- or foreign bor,lof any constitution al or legal right to which he k now entitled
 These my sentiments in brief and although have sometimes alInDst despaiIcd "f my country when have witnessed the rapil strides of corruption, yet think pcr,ieve gcarn of hope in the future and now feel confident that when the great mass of in telligezF in this enlightened country is fully Arouscd nd the danger manifested it will f,arlassly apply the remedy and bring bsck the Government to the pure days of Washington ailnini nistraton fina y let adopt the old Roman motto Never despair tf the Republic" Let us do duty and trust in that Providence which has signtlly watched over and preserved pr the result. But have sail more than intended. anl much more than shoull l4.ve S.i to any but trusted hond, as have no dc- sire to ninglc in political strife
 Remember kindly to your family. and believe me truly your friend, -.. WILLARD FILLMORE.