American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-08-23
REIGN rs I'VE:
ITS PROGRESS AND RESULTS

THE AMERICAN PARTY is not ac-
grcssiyc. 1t does not seek to take a.
way from any citizen a single right
with which he is vested by our consti-
tuition and laws. 1t is simply con
servative party. It's purpose is to Sc
cure to tho people the constitutional
privileges which they now enjoy; to
preserve to the native born citizens the
republican liberty established & trans
mitted to them by their sircs, and to
protect the free institutions of the
country from the dangerous conscqucn-
ccs Of sectional fanaticsm and the OIL
cious intcrmcddling, Of ultra, radical
red republicansm.
Our government is peculiarly organ
lied. 1t is based upon the principle of
human self-govcrnmcnt. Its continu-
ancc depends upon the virtue and in
tclIigenco and political experience of
the people. The history of the past
fifty years has manifested thatno other
people are capable of exercising SINH
lar privileges. Among the European
nations, every attempt to establish re-
publican Institutions has signally fail
ed, and the people have virtually ac-
knowlcdgcd themselves incapable Of
becoming theirown rulers. Ithas been
demonstrated that, to fit the subjects
Of European dcspotisms properly to
use and to appreciate the privileges
enjoyed by American citizens, term
Of probation, training, or instruction
as to the meaning and extent Of civil
and religious freedom compatible with
good order and the rights of others, is
absolutely requisite. If the people
are thus unable to govern themselves
in their own native land, if they DO not
understand the principles Of Republi-
canism sufficiently to maintain a repub-
lican form of governmenta at home, they
are equally unfit to appreciate its ben
clits and practice its privileges horc,
until by proper course of education
they shall have become acquainted with
its principles and imbued with the a.
inerican sentiments which arc absolute
ly essential to the maintenance Of
government like ours.
1t is true that so soon as one of those
oppressed and down-troddcn victims of
the despotic monarchies Of the Old
World steps upon our shores, he be-
comes at once free, redeemed, reeene-
rated, and disinthralled; he is entitled
to the protection of our laws, and may
pursue his honest avocations and wor-
ship his God according to the dictates
Of his own conscience; he may acquire
property; he becomes to all intents
and purposes freeman; and in lit
tie while may invest himself with all
the rights and privileges of American
citizenship, even with the right of suf-
frage. But it is the law of the land,
the generosity of the people, that con-
fcrs upon him all these blessings, and
the mere transportation across the At
lantic has not, in any respect, changed
the inherent qualifications of the man,
nor taught him a better appreciation
Of American liberty, nor given him the
knowledge sufficient for the practice of
Republicanism, or the patriotism essen
tial to the proper exercise and main
tcnance Of American freedom.
This fact was known and acknowl-
s1ged by the sagacious trainers of our
Federal Constitution. They had al
ready foand that the qualities essential
70 the enjoyment and exercise of Amer
lean Rcpublicanism did not generally
belong to any except Americans by
birth, education, and sentiment. 1t was
apparent that the foreign immigrants
from the despotic governments of Eu-
rope would bring with them principles
imbibed in their early youth, altogoth-
or inconsistentwith Rcpublicanism, and
that these principles could only be
changed by their becoming thoroughly
Americanized in sentiment and in prac-
ticc. Itwas evident that these foreign
ers would, in proportion to their mum
tcrs, take part in our legislation, and,
inthe language Of Mr.. Jefferson, Gin
fuse into It their spirit, warp, and bias
ITS directions, and render IL q heterogo.
hcous, incoherent, distracted mass"
The principle at present advocated