Daily American organ., 1856-03-31
MiIIard Fillmore on Americanism ,

The New York Herald having called for the let
ter written by Mr.. Fillmore to Isaac Newton, of
this city, we have procured the same and now
present il to our readers.
The letter, though private, contains sentiments
which every American should desire to see pub
lished far and wide.---PhiL. Ne0s.
BUFFALO, Nxw YoRK, Jan. 8, 1858.
Respected Friend: II would give me great plea
sure to accept your kind invitation to visit Phila-
delphia, If il were possible to make my visit pri-
vate, and limit II TO few personal friends whom
should be most happy to see; but know that this
would be out Of my power, and am therefore re-
luctanty compelled to decline your invitation, as
have done others to New York and Boston, for the
same reason.
l return you many thanks for your information
on the subject Of politics. am always happy to
hear what is going forward; but, Independent of
the fact that feel myself withdrawn from the po-
litical arena have been too much depressed in
spirit to take active part in the late elections.
contented myself with giving silent vote for Mr..
Ulmann for Governor
While, however, am an inactive observer OF
public events, am by no means an, Indifferent
one, and l may say TO you, in the frankness OF
private friendship, that have for long time
looked with dread and apprehension at the cor
rupting influence which the contest for the foreign
vote is exerting upon our elections. This seems
TO result from its being banded together, and sub
ject to the control of afew interested and selfish
leaders Hence, it has been 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 demorazing the whole country;
ruptng the very fountains of political power and
converting the ballot-box-that great palladium of
our lberty-into an unmeaning mockery, where
fha riUhta nf pat cifixapa
by those who blindly follow their mercenary and
selfish leaders.
The evidence of this is found not merely in
the shameless chaffering for the foreign vote at
every election, but in the large disproportion of
Offices which are now held by foreigners at home
and abroad, as compared with our native citizens.
Where is the truehearted American whose cheek
does not tingle with shame and modification to
see our highest and most coveted foreign missions
filed by men of foreign birth to the exclusion of
native-bornr Such appointments are a humilia-
ting confession to the crowned heads of Europe,
that republican soil does not produce sufficient tai
ent to represent republican nation at monarchi-
cal court. / confess that it seems to me-with all
due respect to others--that as general rule, our
country should be governed by American born cit
izens. Let us give to the oppressed of every
country asylum and home III our happy land,
give to all the benefits of equal laws, and equal
protection but let US at the same time cherish
the apple of eye the great principles of
constitutional liberty, which few who have not had
the good fortune to be reared In free country
know how to appreciate and still less how to pre-
serve.
L Washington, in that nestimable legacy which
he left to his country---his Farewell Address-has
wisely warned US to beware of foreign influence
as the most baneful foe of a republican govern
ment. He saw it to be sure in different light
from that in which it now presents itself; but he
knew that 1t would approach us in all forms, and
hence he cautioned against the insidions wiles
Of it's influence. Therefore, as well for our own
sakes, to whom this invaluaoe ..hertancs OF self
government has been left by our forefathers, =. or
the sake OF the unborn millions who are to in
inherit this land-ioreign and native-let us take
warming OF the Father of his Country, aud do what
we can justly to preserve our institutions from cor
ruptlon, and our country from dshonor, but let
this be done by the people themselves in their
sovereign capacity by making proper discrimina-
ton IN the selection Of officers, and not by depri-
wing any individual-native or foreign born-of
any constitutional legal right to which he ia now
entitled.
These are my sentiments, in brief, and although
have sometimes almost despaired of my country
when have Witnessed the rapid strides of corrup-
ton, yet think perceive CLEAN of hope in the
future, and now feel confident, that when the
great mass of intelligence in this enlightened coun-
tryl8 once 1uy aroused, ana the danger manifested
ii will fearlessly apply the remedy and bring back
the governments to the pure days of Washington's
administration.
Finally let us adopt, the old Roman motto,
" Neper despair Of the Republic" Let us do our
duty, and trust in that Providence which has so
signally watched over and preserved us, for the
result. But have said more than intended and
much more than should have said to any one but
trusted friend, as have no desire to mingle in
political strife Ass
q Remember me kindly to your family, and believe
me, truly your friend,
,',sa MILLARD FILLMORE.