American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-22
Americ an Nationality,

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One of the grandest and most endu-
ring results of our present war FIR the
Union is to be the establishment of the
nationality of the American People,
We are to convince ourselves and the
world that we are one nation, The true
i ea of republican government is to set
ted be forever. Other republics have
existed and Hourshed, but they were
limited and partial in their character
They had nct the real elements of united
strength, and therefore did continue
1t has remained for the patriots of Ameri-
ca to establish the fact that a genuine
republic can not only be permanent but
universal
The great national struggle through
which we are passing has developed the
following facts:
First, That well,educated republic
possesses more inherent power than "A
monarchy.
Second, That such a republic as ours
in America can be maintained in time OF
war as well as peace
Third. That the consolidation Of the
government by the will of the people Is
consistent with the sovereignty Of the
States
Ey the concurrent operation of these
facts, American nationality has been Sc
cured, and as long as they continue thus
to operate, it will be maintained to the
end of time. They have shown, beyond
all civil, that the government of the peo-
pie, rightly administered, is the stron
gest government on earth, and the onl
government really adapted to the best
happiness of mankind
What, then, is American nationality !
1t is the practical elucidation in the face
of all the world, hostile as we'll as friend.
ly. of the Declaration Of American lnde-
pencenee. 1t is forever establishing on
he pages of history that We are doing
what any nation may of right do 1t Is
| proving to al mankind that we are not
confederation Of culonoies; not Il union
Of partners in business, from which any
one may Withdraw at pleasure; !; not a
league of States bound together by a
treaty, as with foreign lands; Dut a dis
tinct. united. consolidated nation, in which
there is no separation but by revolution
and the disruption of the whole. Sc
ccssion is thus proved to be treason; trea
san is civil war; and civil war must be
nut down by the nation, or the nation
ceases to exist
In the present gigantic war of the
Union to maintain the Union intact hal
accomplished nothing else, it has achiev
ed wonders in establishing these facts
The republic is seen in the lurid light OF
our vast battle fires as it was never seen
before. Never had our national flag sucL
4 significance Us it has now. Never was
the United States Constitution SO ordain
ed to be national as it is by the thundei
of our republican cannon. Never was
The Declaration Of independence SO illu-
minated as it has been within the last fou
years by the yalor OF our army ON the
land and our navy on the sea. We have
proved our patent Of nobility as a nation
IN the presence Of witnessing world
We have set our seal of nationality i'll
the blood of patriots; and proudcr insig-
nias than the stars and ribbons, the scep
tres and crowns, the diamonds and thrones
Of monarches, are found NV in the an.
mails OF America.
1t only remains for the American peo
pie to cultivate and perpetuate their ma
tionality. We must show by our conduc
toward other nations that we esteem GU
own the best among them all. By doing
this we do not preclude the foreigner trod
loving his own land lie has the righ
to do SO; and no American but woulO
despise him if he did not. Let it be un
derstood, however, that what tho English
man claims for England, the Frenchmai
for France. and other men for their ma
tionalities, the American claims and vii
maintain for America.
This is Ameriean nationality. w
ask nothing more; we will take nothin:
less.
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