American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-10

can flXntlully cldlm tlht appold1lOn. n
mericanism and Freedom are SYNONYMOUS
terms. Foreiguism and slavery are equal
ly so, and the one is the antipodes OF the
Let no American fear that opprohium
can attach to our party by It's acting in de-
Of these principles, with those Of our
citizeus assuming the name of R4-
publican, a name that the Constitution at
to the government OF every State, rs
II condition of It's admiSsiontto the Union,
a name importing a commonwealth inter-
est, where the citizen exercises the sover-
eign capacity Of directing the government
by his representative and agent; let no one
fear larnish to his cause from the Udck ep-
iLhets Of those who give but the e~olOring
of tlei' own malice when tt-y apply it to
such a party.
Liberty OF person. liberty Of speech, lib
cry Of conscience. liberty Of the press, and
in the pufsuit OF business or happiness
with no restraints but the equal rights Of
others, are the guaranteed rights Of every
American, end he is unworthy Of his coun-
try, unworthy tho name of trust, who will
zealUusly guard from contamination or sub
version this sacred boon Of liberty. which
las been committed to his keeping.
We may not share its cares nor submit
its keeping to less competent or interested
hands; but Wa must watch and defend il
with equal zeal against the insidious wiIes
OF foreisn influence. or the dangerous az
grsssions Of despois anI dcmNgogues at
home.
In thus 4),lously claiming this trust as
our own, wa ola no just canse Of olfense
10 those Of foreign birth who come among
us. no one OF whom, be he ever so Demo.
cratic in his feelings or Republican in his
sentiments. can understand country.
or its people aud institutions, by any edu
cation he may have received in other conn
tries. Como from what portion of the
glo6o lie my. he finds hors tho habits,
feelings and education different from those
he left. All tho social relations arc unlike
ours; It's industry. its commerce, It's inter.
nal policy, aud lis external relations are all
different. and its government totally unlike
ours. Can such persons easily forget and
forego all their former habits, feelings. o.
pinions, and prejudices. and at once assim-
ilato with Us? Such ars not Of lis, but a.
mongst us strangers in our family; let us
treat them with the hospitality due the
stranger, until such time when by social
intercourse AMI stu ly thoy have made
themselves coaversant with our laws and
institutions, AMI are prepared for an intel,
ligont exercise Of the rights of American
citizens. We do not hold to tie opinion
SO ofton imputed TO us. chat nono but ma
tives Of the soil should Of right attain t.
citizenship" We do,irc no barrier to be
placed in tho way Of any. Of whatever
coun rv, who honesty desire citizenship,
and will qualify for its ju %licious exercise.
Neither do We p"oscribe any. as is often
charged against us, on account of their re-
ligion, 50 that their religion does not teach
doctrines ininical TO freedom.
We woull not interfere to pre7ent a free
immigration from other lands to our own
only so far as TO provide against the de-
porla'ion of criminals, convicts and pau
pcrs to our shores.
Our policy, asa country. would direct
that such laws should be enacted as will
encourage the settlement Of our vast forests
and extended prairies of the West.
The greatness Of our country can only
be realized when the agricultural, mineral,
manufacturing anil commercial resources
and interests are fully developed; and it is
our policy, as a nation destined 10 give
laws and directions 10 tho world, to pur-
sue such a course rs will most readily effect
that obj'ct. To do this, we should wei
como citizens OF other lands to our shores,
and infusu into our territories the enter
prise, industry and capital of all nations,-
We should not only permit them to ill oul
soil, open the mineral deposits Of our lands
build up our manufactures and engage il
our commerce, but we should guarantee
10 them citizenship as soon as qualified fol
that high prcrogative. AS an American.
hold to the opinion that y people, to be
true defenders Of the government and in,
stituIions under which they live, and of the
soil they OCCUPY, should be- invested will
the rights Of citizenship; hence, while VIZ
admit the foreign born TO our land, W,
would Americanizo them rs soon as posi-
bic, in order to invest them with the prout
tiuG Of American citizens.
1t cannot have escaped the notice OF any
that we are constantly charged with being
a sectional party, because we of tho Nortl
oppose the spread Of slavery.
If the American party in the free State,
Is obnoxious to this charge, will it not up
ply with equal force and business to all The
political parties that have divided our PEG
Pile since the formation Of our Government
For 1t is well known that no considerabl,
portion ofany party in The free States ar,
favorable to the extension Of slavery, ant
equally SO that n large majority Of every
slave State are in favor Of it. All the ole
parties have at times agreed on question,
of general policy, but tho question of slave
ry has always distracted and divided them
The American party processes to stand up
on tho very front and baso of our Nation
alism, and if that portion Of it who repudi
ate the 1eth section Of the Philadelphia
platform (and we hold Il EN- to THE Amer
lean party are not National, then indect
we may despair Of National party, an,
pronounce the ideH chimara.
That party which plants itself upon tn,
immu;able principle Of equal justice 10 a
men, which adopts the sentiments of th
Fathers Of the Republic, as expressed il
the Declaration OF Independence, pro
claiming That all men ire created equal