Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1863-12-21
THE EVENING NEWS.
The Duty of NaturaIized Citizens.

i
When we see Southern born men sympa-
thizing with the rel alion, and lending their
aid, by voice or pen, to the bogfs Cohfede-
racy, at the head of which rules Jefferson
Davis; we can well account for their course
of action. There is at least some excuse for
them, on the score of prejudices Of birth
and education, and because Of the fancied
encroachmcnts on Southern rights by the
Northern States which is the basis of their
oppositiun to the Government But We
never could discern upon what grounds hav-
ing even the appearance of Justice, or afford
ing single palliation of their 0fchse, men Of
Northern birth or adopted .citizcnts lend
countenancc, sympathy Or aid to the rebels
who are seeking to divide and overthrow this
nation. There is no excuse for the conduct
of such persons. 1t is fragrant, ungrateful
and unnatural. The Northern man who ia
vors the rebellion is untrue to his home and
kindred, and to everything that men hold sa-
cred and the naturalized citizen who does so
is Just as criminal as the recreant Northcrncr
adding to his infamy the guilt Of ingrati-
tude, one of the meanest crimes in the catas
logue of sins. To illustrate this point, let
us suppose homely and simple case, which
all minds can comprehend. A weary and
impoverished Outcast, without home or
friends, calls at the home Of prosperous
family and seeks shelter and assistance i'll
his hour of need. The head of that family
invites him in to partake Of his hospitality
and abundance, and fully admits him to be-
como one of the household, bestowing upon
him equal privileges with his own nearest
and dearest. In the course of time trouble
arises i'll that household and the younger
members rebel against the authority of the
head of the family. In that event, where
SHOULD the stranger be found-supportlng
the authority of the parent who gave him
home, or aiding the rcbclliOus children in
their crime? Everybody will answer that the
common instinct OF gratitude which even
dumb brutes are capable of showing, should
point out his duty to that man. So it is ex-
actly in our National trouble. The Govern
ment of this Republic has ever opened wide
its doors to the exile and stranger, has in
vitcd him to participate in our liberty and
happiness, and has conferred upon him pri-
vileges and immunities which he could not
obtain elsewhere on the face of the earth.
A portion of our people have rebcllcd against
the authority of that Government, without
just or sufficient cause. If they stsccecd; Che
happy, abundant and secure asylum which
the European exile found i'll Amcrica-.he
liberty and equal rights which he sought and
eni0ycd hcrc-will be gone forever, annihila-
ted by the waves Of anarchy and dcspotism,
and the brightest hopes Of mankind will sink
in darkness and despair. What does the
duty of naturalizcd citizens demand of them
in this hour of the nations peril? 1t de-
mands that they shall, not only as n measure
ofgratitudc, but in fulfillment Of their solemn
oaths, bear true faith and allegiance to the
United States of America, and stand ready to
defend it against all opposersj be they dOmes-
tic or foreign enemies. Men may appeal to
them, as they do, with sophistical and in
sidious arguments, telling them that this is a
domestic quarrel, in which they should not
interfere, or. that it is like mere political
party contest and that their friends are in the
party which opposes the Government, and
therefore they ought TO aid that side. Instead
Of listening to such deceptive arguments, or
needing the counsels Of designing men, who
care nothing for them and would only lead
them astray like the arch tempter, naturalized
citizens should examine and sift the whole
question to the bottom for themselves.
Though many of them now, unfortunately,
occupy position of hostility to the Govern
ment, in casting their influence with party
which opposes the prosecution of this neccs-
sary, defensive war against rebels, we feel
confident that the instincts of our foreign
born citizens are mainly right, and that the
majority of them strive to do their duty to the
country as best they know how. Some, how
ever, are led astray by the sophistry and ap..
pcals to their passions of designing and bad
men. A little more reflection and thinking
for themselves would soon set them right,
and excite their generous natures into a
hearty and unqualified support of this great
Government, which has ever been their benc-
factor and fricnd.-Sierra Democrat.