New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-11-20
therefore should compass and inspire the States Of
this chosen land

| -
formation, what is improperly though conveniently
termed the Foreign Vote had no recognized or
considerable power in such States as Kentucky,
| Tennessee and Delaware, which it has now thrown
into the scale of Buchanan. No one eau truthfully
or pausibly assert that the Wing party, which for
merly controlled those States, was Foreign"
party-that it truckled to Foreign influence, or
held its power by the tenure Of iattery subservi
ency TO the Foreign vote; yet the majority of its
members have been dragged or driven into Natv-
ism as means Of lettering their political fortunes
with what success, the returns Of the recent cleo
tons exhibit, and the country cannot fail to under
stand. The patient, who caused to be inscribed
Cd his tombstone, 81 was well-wished to be bet
ter-tOok physic-and here | am was very fair
exempar of the success of the grand experiment of
mendiDg the broken fortunes Of the Pro-Slavery
Wing party by fusing it in the cruoibe of Ma.
tivism.
The contrivers and managers Of this political feat
had just wit enough to render their defeat newt.
able by miDgliDg in their caldron theoogic ele-
ment which was certain to increase the number of
their enemies while diminishing that of their friends
| ~. ibc Niy VI -'V ioPtis, EaiuCu
very few adhererts who would not have been salts.
fed with Nativii IN, pure and simple; while they
converted into bitter enemies that large and sub
s.antial, though qpiet portion of our population
the American Csthocs-whO had very generally
adhered to the fortunes of the Whgpariy and who
had given il victory in important States in many a
hardfoueht contest. Observing politicians are
aware that the Counties of Adams and Franklin,
| in Pennsy lvania; Worcester, Charlie, and s..
Mays, in Maryland; Nelson, in Kentucky; St.
James, st. Landry, Terrebonne, St. Mary, &c in
| Louisiaps-some Of which are mainly, aud others,
largely peopled by Catholics Of the old stock-were
always among the most reliable cltadels Of Wig
strength until the recent outbreak of anti-Cathoic
intolerance, under the guise of Know-Nothingisn.
Now they are as was to be expected.
If there were no other objection to the American
party $50 called than that founded on its suicidal
results, this alone should be conclusive.
Nativism complains of the foreign, and espe-
cial'y the Irish Catholic, vote that it is ignorant,
prejudiced and cannisb, and the complaint is not
unfounded. 1t asserts that the great body of our
fOreign.bOrn voters do not study, discuss and con-
slider the political issues from time to time arising,
as republican freemen shOuld do, but are blind fol
lowers of certain party banner, and controlled
or used as stock in trade by certain mercenary or
ambitious leaders. Admit all this to be true and
still we say that the existence of American par
ty or of any party founded on like principles tends
not to cure, but TO sggravate and perpetuste the
evils thus denounced. In lieu of the iilnsy reason-
or il you please, no reason at a-wtich the foreign
born voters formerly had for their perverse and clan
Iish political action, the American party supplies
them with valid OVERWHELMINGLY, the instinct ofself
prsseryation-the jealousy Of men attacked in their
dearest rights. CanshIp, or clanni,hness is not
essentially bad thing, bat good thing out-grown
something which had its origin AMI justii ,ation
in tie perils and calames of an age of insecurity,
violence ard strong handed rapinc. II is an ant
chrOpsm in our day and in civilized countries sian
ply because the general recognition and observance
OF the principles of morality, the general prevalence
of law and order have rendered il unnecessary. IL
would naturally return with the evils in which it
originated.
| The American party may persist in embroiling
the social well spolltica relations of people;
il cannot accomplish the ends which it avowe1y
meditates. Take its Fundamental proposition-that
twenty .one years probation shall be required as
prerequisite to citizenshi p-who believes this can
ever be carried Let the progress and results of
past agitation on this poin. determine. There is
no more prospect probability Of eectiDg
Senate Of the United States that would pass a
twenty -One years naturalization law, than Of choos
il q one that would undertake to abolish Slavery in
Virginia or South Carolina. But suppose such
Ser ate chosen, and such law actually passed, what
purpose will it serve The States would STILL
they do now, prescribe the terms Of practical citi
zenship in defining the Right Of Suffrage. Indi-
ana, Wisconsin, and other Western States now
permit and invite unDatura,ized emigrants to vote
upon proof Of short preliminary residence; and
This would continue in spite Of twenty -one years
or forty years rquisiiion by Congress. South
Carolina on the other band, ii We mistake not, pre-
scribes tw year, residence after naturalization;
and this is of more value safe- guard against
tie abuses of naturalization than nythng Natyisn
has yet devised or suggested Aud il will be found,
after years of contention ard excitement, that what
ever abuses or frauds have grown up around our
terms of admission to citizenship are susceptible of
correction through State action, mainly or wholly,
and that The existence Of distinctive American par
~ is calculated rather to hinder than to promote
such a comsumnation.
The great, the fragrant abuse Tow existing In the
premises, is that of permitting partisan comni1ees
and drll-serseants 10 manufacture voters at plea
sure, and almost to the exten. Of their desires or
4 81. IT,, HILL th.t