The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-04-11
From the New IOrk tpress.l

H
Respected Friend-IScac .elrton: 1t would
give me great pleasure to eeept your kind
invitation to visit Philadelphia, If It were
possible to make my visitriyate, and limit
it to a few personal friend whom | should
he most happy to see; but know this would
be out Of my power and am therefore re-
luctantly compelled to dime your invita-.
ticn, as | have done otleito New York and
Boston, for the same re,sr.
return you many ihLns FOR your informa-
tion on the subject Of poles. | am always
happy TO hear what is gng forward; but
independent of the fact tat l feel myself
Withdrawn from the poital arena, have
been too much depressed spirit to take an
active part in the late EDITIONS. l content
ed myself with giving a lent vote for Ull
man for Governor.
While, However, an D inactive observer
of public events, | am lynO means an indif-
ferent one. / may say q tou in the frank
ness Of private friends5nthat have for
long time looked with Trad and apprehen
sion at the corruptiDgiiluence which the
contest for the foreigntoe is exerting upon
our elections. This sesmto result from its
being banded togethe, Ind subject to the
control of few ihteretl and selfish lead
ers. Hence, il has beet, subject of bargain
and sale, and each Of tBgreat political par
ties of the country hafebeen bidding TO OBJ
tain it, and as usual il Ill such contests, the
party which is most ca'upt is most success
ful The consequence that it is fast de-
moralizing the whole iouEtry; corruptlng
the very fountains ofplitical power, and
converting the ballot lN-that great palla-
dunn Of our liberty-snto an unmeanlng
mockery, where the risls of native-born citi-
zens are voted away ly those who blindly
follow their mercenarl and selfish leaders
The evidence Of this if,und not merely in
the shameless chafferiBf for the foreign vote
at every election, b,i in the large dis
proportion of offices yich are now held by
foreigners at home and broad, as compared
with our native eitizen.l Where is the true
hearted American whOe cheek does not tin
gle'with shame and justification to see our
highest and most coreed foreign missions
filed by men of foreign birth, to the exclu-
sion of native-born citensl Such appoint
ments are q humiliatin confession TO the
crowned heads Of Enrof, that Republican
soil does not produce suicent talent to rep
resent Republican napn ut monarchical
Court confess that ieeems to me-with
all due respect to other that, as general
rule, our country shoud be governed by
American born citizens. Let US give TO the
oppressed OF every county an asylum and a
home in oui happy land, give to all the bene'
fits of equal laws, and eual projections; but
let us at the same time aerish as the apple
of our eye the great principles OF eonstltu.
tional liberty, which iewwho have not had
the good fortune to be rered in a free coun-
try, know how to appreciate and still less
how to preserve.
Washington, in thatIinestimable legacy
which he left to his counry-his farewell ad'
dress--has wisely warnd us to beware Of
foreign influence as the host baneful foe OF d
republican government. He saw il to be sure
in different light from hat in which it now
presents ITSELF but he new that IL would
approach us in all forms and hence he eau
toned us against the missile rifles of its in
faence Therefore, as wei for our own sakes
to whom this invaluabl einheritanc of self
government has been let by our foreiathers
us for the sake Of the unborn millions who are
to inherit this land-foreign and native-let
lis tnke warning OF hefather of his Country
and do what we can jestiy to preserve our
Institutions from cor option, ana our country
from dishonor but!et this be done by the
people themselves n their sovereign capacity
by making pro,er discrimination in the Sc
lection of Offices, and not by depriving any
indiyidul-natSe or foreign born-of any
constitutionalor legal right to which he is
now entitled
These aremy sentiments in brief; and al
though ! hive sometimes almost despaired Of
my countr, when have witnessed the rapid
strides of corruption, yet think | perceive
CLEAN o hope in the future; and now feel
confdenttha when the great mass of intel.
ligence in this enlightened country is once
fully aroused, and the danger manifested, ii
will fesrlessly apply the remedy, and bring
back the Government to the pure days Of
Washington's administration. Finally, let us
adopt the old Roman motto, "Neyer despair
of the Republic" Let us do our duty, and
trust in that Providence which has so signal
ly watched over us and preserved us, for the
result. But have said more than intend.
ed, and much more than should have said
10 any one but a trusted friend, as have no
desire to mingle in political strife.
Remember me kindly to your family, and
believe me, truly your friend,
WILLARD FILLMORE.