New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-04-10
I'M BER :S22.
Letter rrona nIfllarla n.ilI..,ers


The following admirable letter says tbf. Eeyv Yort
Mirror, though never intended for tie yeas
addressed by Mr.. Fillmore to All intimate friend I.
Philadelphia, little more than d year ago. when 4
cloud Of domestic sorrow rested heavily upon the
home of the writer 1t breathes The very essence Of
a pure and comprehensive patriotism, and wiIl be
read with approving interest by millions Of
cans:
BUFFALO. r, Jan. s, 1855.
8s RESPECTED fFRIEND-lsAAG NEWTON $gIt would
give me great pleasure to accept your kind invitation
to visit Philadelphia, if it were possible to make my
visit private, and limit it to few personal friends
whomI should be most happy to see; but know that
this would be out Of my power, and am therefore
reluctantly compelled to decline your invitation as
have done others to New York and Boston, for the
same reason 8 Ss55 48 ~ $
II return you my thanks for your information on the
subject Of politics. am always happy hear what
is going forward but independent Of the fact tatI
feel myself withdrawn from the political arena, have
been too much depressed in spirits to take an active
part in the late elections. I contented myself with
giving silent vote for Mr.. Ullman for Governor AZ
While, however, am an inactive observer of pub
1lc events l. am by no means an indifferent one. I
may say to you in the rankness Of private friendship
that ] have for long time looked with dread and
apprehension at the corrupting Influence which the
contest for the foreign vote is exertng upon onr cleo
tions.s This seems to result from its being banded
together and subject to the control of interest
bargain and sale and each of the great political par
ties OF the country have been bidding to obtain and
as usual in all such contests, the party which is most
corrupt is most successful The consequence is, that
it is fast demoralizing the whole country
the very fountains ofpolitica power and converting
the ballotboxthat great palladium Of our liberty
into an unmeanng mockery, where the rights Of ma
tive born citizens are voted away by those who blind
ly follow their mercenary ard selfish leaders, @ G
The evidence of this is found not merely in the
shameless chafaring for the foreign vote at every
election, but in the large disproporton Of Offices which
are now held by foreigners at home and abroad as
compared with our native citizens. Where is the
true hearted American whose cheek does not tingle
with shame and modification to see onr highest and
most coveted foreign missions filed by men Of foreign
birth to the exclusion OF our native born? Such ap
pontments are humiating confession to the crowned
heads Of Europe that Republican soil does not pro-
duce sufficient talent to represent Republican ma
ton at monarchia court. confess that it seems to
me, with all due respeGtto Others that as general
rule, our country should be governed by native born
citizens Letus give to the oppressed Of every coun
try an asylum and q home in our happy land
to all the benefits Of equal laws and equal protection
but let at the time cherish, as the apple Of
our the great principles Of constitutional liberty
reared in free country know how to oappreciate and
| still less how to preserve. Fl
Washington, in that inestimable legacy which he
left to his conntry-his farewell addresshas Wisely
warned us to beware of foreign influence as the mos
| banefq foe of republican government. He saw it
to be sure III different light from that In which il
now presents itself; but he knew that it would ap
proach us in all forms, and hence he cautioned u
against the insidious ,oiies of its influence There
fore, well for our own sakes to whom this inyaua
BILE inheritance Of self government has been left BY
our forefathers, as for the sake Of unborn millions
who are to inherit this land-foreign and natiNe-le
us take warning of the Father of his Country, and
do what we justly to preserve our institutions
from corruption, and country from dishonor, but
let this be done by the people themselves in their
sovereign capacity by making proper discrimina-
tion in the selection Of officers and not by depriyng
any individual or foreign born-of any con
stitutona or legal right to which he is entitled
These are my sentiments in brief !; and although
have sometimes almost despaired of my country wher
have witnessed the rapid strides of corruption ye
! think perceive gleam Of hope in the future an6
now feel confident that when the great mass Of in
teligence in this enlightened country ID once full,
aroused and the danger manifested, it will fearess
4 apply the remedy, and bring back the Governmen
to the pure days of Washington's administration. Fl
nally let us adopt the old Roman MOTTO Never ds
spar of the republic Let us do our duty, and trus
in that Providence which has so signally watche
over and preserved us, for the result But have sal
more than Iintended, and much more than | shoul
have said to any one but trusted friend, as hay
no desire to nlingle in political strife. ssi i@
Remember me kindly to your family and believ