True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-04
PRESCRIPTION.

To gain forever the iorelgn born voters
A-says the Louisville JOurnal-and con-
solidate them under the leadership of
Democratic Demagogues, the Democrats
raised the cry of prescription" against
the American party. From every stump
this senseless charge of Know Nothing
prescription" was hurled with the inten-
sest fury against the Americans by the
Sag Nicht stump speakers.
This charge was made purely for poll
cal effect. The very men who were the
first to use il and to howl it forth most
madly, have been the first to propose
proscriptive legislation in regard TO the
foreigners. What the Americans have
suggested is so eminently right and pro-
per thatlhe Democratic demagogues have
been driven by the force of popular opin-
ion to adopt and attempt the establish
ment of American principles. The argu,
ments adduced by Americans in favor of
their principles and purposes are unan-
swerable, and these petty politicians,
who are ever striving to sail with the
current of popular favor, have seen that
30 soon as extraneous issues shall be re-.
moved, so soon as the principles Of the
American party shall be made the para
mount issue, they will surely be successful.
For this reason, we find those who were
lately the loudest revilers of Americanism
now seeking to court popularity by advo-
eating here Bit and there bit of the
American policy. The Democratic Le-
gisla,ure of South Carolina have required
a residence of two years after naturalza-
lion TO qualify foreign born citizens to
exercise the right Of suffrage, and the
Democratic Legislature Of Pennsylvania
is following the example. A bill has
been introduced there by a Democratic
member Of the House, to exclude all un-
naturalized foreigners from the offices of
president, director, and all other positions
Of like duties and responsibilities in any
company or association within the limits
Of that Commonwealth.
The zeal of these new converts to
American doctrines Oulruns their iudg-
menls. They propose TO carry the pro-
scription Of foreigners into private affairs,
while the American party desires to ex-
clude foreigners from participating and
controlling only our public and political
affairs. The position of the American
party is directly deducted from its grea
leading principles--the maintenance oI
the Union. With a view of protecting
our Union and our institutions from dan.
ger and decay, from foreign hostility OF
domestic treason, the Americans prefer
to place in public political Offices thei
own coun'rymen rather than strangers
They propose to protect their purposes
by the free suffrage o! the citizens and tt
adopt such laws as may protect our in
situations from all future dangers OF tbi
kind. In this there is no prescription
No mans right is infringed or abridged
Every citizen, whether native or foreign
born, Is left 10 the full exercise Of all hi
franchises and the full enjoyment ofeyer,
vested right; Butthe proposition Of III
Democratic members Of the Pensylyani
Legislature sayors strongly Of proscrp
ton. II ovcrleaps all political and publ
considerations and carries the exclusio
sofforeigners into the ordinary and ever
day business Of private life. i propose
70 exclude them from any control or mar
agement Of private associations.
Thnsit is ever with locofocoism ]
onttnhs al discretion. i Is regardles
of alldgbi of law aid ofjustice. II So