The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-08
COM MUNICATIONs.
No. III.
meyiean Laborers and Asehanies--P sfssest'on'



msrican Laborers and Mechanics. Prosecutions
continued Examples.
An American historian, after recording the
Popish prosecutions against the Prot stants In
England during the reign of "bloody" Mary,
says:
Z" No one can contemplate this dark period OF
England's history without feelings of horror at its
bloody scenes, and gratitude for the blessings we
enjoy. Two hundred and eighty-eight persons,
including twenty clergymen, OF whom live were
bishops, were burnt alive many 'cere deprived of
means of subsisteaee imprisoned, tortured scourg
ed, placed in the most painful posture, until they
expired under their acc simulated suferings An
immense amount Of wealth was sacrificed, and the
spirit and character of the nation was sunk very
low. But it was fiery trial, through which u
seemed necessary for the nation to pass. She had
given strength 10 the beast Though reformed
under Henry and Edward she had not been wean-
ed. This day of persecution made her heartily
sick OF Poperyn
Here the historian, with feelings OF gratitude
and national PRIDE notices the contrast between
those bloody scenes" in that dark dark period
Of England's history and the blessings We enjoy.
Are these blessings to ceases Are those ''bloOdy
scenes to be re-enacted in very mdstY
Would that we could. with confidence answer,
no; but we cannot There is danger. 1t cannot
be concealed there is no use IN making the at
tempt A system of injustice, oppression and
persecution has been commenced by tha political
party now in power against the members OF the
American party These men, holding the doctrine
that Americans ought to govern their native
land" are regarded by the party hostile TO this
doctrine, as criminals. "Many Of them" are, in
the language of the historian, "depriyed OF the
means Of subsistence, and imprisoned" For the
mere expression Of opinion, without doing any
violence, Stoddard and Webster are indicted by
packed, partizan Grand jury; arraigned before
partizan Judge; trie by partizsn Jury, convict
ed and thrown into prison. Both these men have
large, dependent families. In fact, selecting FOR
punishment men who have no means of support
but the labor Of their hands, and who have help
less wives and children, who can be made also to
feel the pangs of hunger, cold, and nakedness, is
part Of the programme; as will appear III the sec
quel.
Soon after the adjournment of the first session
of the last Congress, several men who were EN-.
ployed as mechanics and laborers at the Wash
ington Arsenal were informed that [" their SER
vices We're no longer required" The names OF
these men are before They are peaceable,
industrious, and good citizens, and all haze tami-
HeA They have no means but their daily labor,
for the subsistence of themselves their wives and
children
Being thus suddenly deprived of their support,
they naturally sought 10 learn the reason. No
complaints of unskifuness nor neglect of business
had ever been made-nothing of the kind, no
fault could be found They went to Major Bell,
the officer in charge, and demanded to know the
reason Of their discharge. After some hesitation,
the Major said it was because they belonged to
the American party.
They replied, that they had large families, who
must inevitably come to want if they were turned
out of employment; that there were several young
men employed who had no families, why did he.
not dismiss them if any had to go, and let men
had g.. fhA
Major Bell said, "The reason why We dismiss you
men of families is, to bring yon to terms--to COM
| pei goa to submit 7"
That is the principe-the very essence of perSe-
cution Compel them to submit. First, try star
walton, and see what effect the cries of the little
ones for bread, and the agonizing tears and groans
of the wife will have. A little hunger, cold, and
| pinching want well mixed together will be good
| medicine to them Of their Amercansm. Ii
this fails, then try something little more power
fu--the prison. This has lately been resorted to.
Suppose this, too, fails--what next? | would
suggest the tme-honored and impressive mode of
punishment, much practised in the palmy days OF
Popery-burning at the stake! This mode would
doubtless subdue the most obstinate, and at the
same time constitute an argument 80 convincing,
that nothing further would be required to bring
them over to the true faith. We advise the anti
American party to try it, Let us have public
exhibition. Ii will be novel scene in Washing
ton, but depend upon it, it will have effect.
The fiery trial through which Americans are
now passing in Washington, is beginning to be
understood by the country. The combined efforts
of the press here will not be able to suppress the
truth. Their attempts to couer up important facts
to erciude material testimony, will be signal fail
ar.
We offer no apology for any persons who have
broken the law. Let equal justice be done to all
of whatever party they may be.
The manner in which men are treated, for no
other cause than that they were born in America,
and love their country, and desire TO see her glo-
rious liberty and her blessed institutions perpetu
ated, and TO this end claim the right of making and
administering her laws, shall be exhibited to the
world. The prosecutions and wrongs 10 which they
are subjected and the manner in which they are
thrust aside aud denied employment and treated
though they were, in cvery respect, inferior to
| unndtuYalized foreigners by this Administration,
shall all be told in the ears Of our countrymen; and
as the prosecutions under the rule OF bloody
Mary" rrade England heartily sick of Popery, SO
will the prosecutions under Pierce and Buchanan,
make America heartily sick OF this modern De-
| mocracy.
! Government employ in one place, and have sought
work in another, Government officials have some
| times followed them, and exerted their influence
! to prevent them from getting it.
Some animals, naturally harmless, will when
closely pursued and escape impossible, turn upon
! their assailant'.
We warn the prosecutors Of the Americans OF
Was ington not to be OYER Jealous in their pur-
suit The Administration having, in some OF iis
recent acts, openly nNuped authority and violated
iao let them pause in their career, before the spirit
of resistance is fully reused. Let them be wise in
season. But il they refuse to hear then We proclaim
to the world that Americans, If driven to extrem-
ity, are resolved TO rcpel force by force-they may
be slain, Bat they wiH mol be conqucred-they
nil die freei VINDEX.
Ma. EDITOR Will you please call the attention