Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-10-25
Know Nothing Humbug.
HEAR Gov FooTE ON "THE AccuRsED SPIRIT OF
NATIVE AMERICANrsM"

The Know Nothing organization is party
with one single principle, and no more. Ask
them whatever question you may, and you
receive for an answer, "Americans must rule
America" This is the sum total of their
creed-this the great and only hobby upon
which the party came into existence-and
and this, we may add, the disease which has
caused its premature death.
Especially in California, have the Know
Nothings been clamerous about Americans
ruling America, Gust as though there was
danger of some other nation ruling it) and
Ex-Gov Henry S. Foote, the great Mis-
sissippan is their acknowledged chieftain.--
For two seasons, now, he has traversed the
State, and, with his hand upon his heart"
and in ''the presence of Almighty God"
preached Native Americanism to the people
He is the great High Priest of the order,
and with bis grey hairs and vehement protesta-
tions, calling upon his Maker to witness the
sincerity of his teachings, he has induced
many to believe that everything falling from
his lips was claw and gospel" There are
those who, when they hear Gov. Foote argue
that foreigner should wait tacentyone gears
before being naturalized, would take their
solemn oath that nothing else would save
the Union;" and they would tell you that
during the Governors long public career Gall
they know about it coming from his own
mouth) he had always and ably maintained
that position.
Unfortunately for the NIississppian, how
ever, and for the Know Nothings Of Califor-
MIA, there is q record in existence of proceed
ings in the United States Senate. Only
few short years ago-in 1s50-this same
Gov Foote made speech in the Senate, in
which he stated that he was ready at oil
times to go as far as the farthcstn in grant
ing privileges to the foreigners, and also made
use of the following language, going about
FIVE years farther than the farthest. He
had
always been favorable to the liberaliza-
ton of our Naturalization Laws. Altoays, re-
collect lie could see no objection to an
immigrant Immediately upon his drriral upon
our shores, becoming a citizen, upon the pre-
sentation of a certificate of good character at
the Curtom-house"
That was Gov. Foote's opinion six years
ago, and up to that time he had ai,Oays been
in favor of liberalizing the naturalization
laws now, he is the chief of the party that
proscribes foreignes Is it not most extra
ordinary case of inconsistency?
In lS49, when Gen. Shields, foreigner,
was an applicant for a seat in the L. S.
Senate, Foote pitched in rough-shod, and de-
nounced in wthering terms the accursed spirit
of Native Americanism." We append the
following extract from his remarks-appendx
to Cong Globe, I'd session, 3Oth Congress,
page $40:
The seat heretofore occupied by the hon
orable claimant would be declared vacant by
reason Of his present incompetency to occupy
it. The way would be open for a new cleo
ton, or an executive appointment of some
person to ill the vacancy thus arising. We
would pronounce the election and commission
of the honorable claimant void and inopera-
tive, henceforward, in consequence of his
present ineligibility. This is surely enough
for all proper purposes-enough for all pur-
poses yet suggested by honorable Senator'S
But this is not enough for certain gentlemen
here. They must make a riettm; they must
do something to proptiate the aecursed spirit
Of Nattre AmericaniSm, whose fell influence
has already deluged the streets of some of
our populous cities with precious blood, and
carried the torch of the incendiary into our
private mansions and the temples of the liv-
ing God The noble hearted claimant is a
natire Of a foreign land. His infancy was
Graded, and his days of young boyhood were
passed, amidst the localities where once -four
ished a Grattan, Curran, and an Emmet.-
He was born beyond the rolling ocean, and is
only an AMERICAN because he is lover Of
liberty and of free institutions, and came here
to enjoy them, where only they could be en-
joyed in all their amplitude and perfection.
1t is desired, fear, to fix brand upon his
forehead, because, though born in distant
land, he has presumed to aspire to high sta
ton in Republic where, for seventeen years,
he has performed all the duties of patriot
in peace, and in war has fought with glory
unsurpassed in battles whose renown will
never pass away. Yet, this man is to be
PROSECUTED, PRoscRIBED, and DEGRADED, with
out crime, and upon pretexts too fimsy and
ridiculous to bear the least scrutiny or exam
nation"