Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-01-21
THE CITY.
MASS MEETING AT THE CAPITOL
OUR FOREIGN POPULATION IN
COUNCIL.
A Free Discussion of the Views En-
tertained by GEN. Harding on the
Immigration Question ResOIu-
tons Adopted. etc.

A Free Discussion of the Views En-
tertained by Gen. Harding on the
Immigration Question - ResOIu-
tiOns Adopted, etc.
In accordance with previous announce
ment, 8 mass meeting was held at the
Capitol last night, which was called by the
citizens of foreign descent to give express
ion to their views in regard to some re-
marks made by Gen. Harding at the last
meeting of the Davidson County Farmers
Club on the subject of immigration, ETC.,
which was reported in the proceedings of
the club. The Hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives and both galleries were densely
filed with both foreign citizens and Amer
lean born citizens, and many persons were
compelled to stand for want Of room.
On motion of Mr.. Philip Fleischman,
Mr.. Joseph E. Brennan was called to the
chair.
After returning thanks for the honor
conferred upon him, Mr.. Brennan said
that the meeting had been called for the
purpose of giving expression to the views
Of those assembled in regard to the late
denunciations put forward by one of our
most influential and highly respectable and
at the same time representative men of the
community.
The following named gentlemen were
then appointed Vice Presidents of the
meeting: Chales Nelson, DIR. Schiff, Den
mis- Mundy and E. Loiseau Mr.. P. r
Albert was appointed Secretary.
Mr.. John Ruhm then addressed the
meeting at length, and owing to the late
hour at which this report is prepared we
are necessarily compelled to give only q
synopsis of the various addresses.
Mr.. Ruhm stated that he claimed the
right of liberty of speech. He would not
indulge in abuse of any individual, but it
was not Gen. Harding who was to be an
swered. II was the public sentiment of
the friends of Gen. 81.
The speaker then referred to the former
times when Know-nothingism prevailed in
this country, and stated that at some form
or time number of German laborers had
been introduced into this country and an
article appeared in the Columbia Herald
to the effect that ''we can take up with
the Industrious, God-fesring Irish; but
from the indolent, impotent God-forsaken
Infdel Dutch may the Lord deliver US. "
| cheers.
The speaker then read at length, the re-
marks of Gen. Harding, as published in
| the UNION AND AMERICAN, and commented
upon them briefly; after which he read
some articles from the American Encyclo-
pedia in regard to the early history of Vir-
| ginia, from which State he said that Gen.
| Harding, or at least his ancestors, had
originally come.
The speaker then read from the Encyclo-
| pedia, extracts of which the following are
samples:
Virginia was the first American colony
settled by the English" 1.-THE colonists
were mostly worthless Adventures" ''The
| President of the colony proved scoun-
drel" Laughter. ''Among whom were
ninety young women, who were disposed
of to the planters as their wives, for the
cost of their passage, which was one hun.
dred pounds of tobacco" Naughter.)
We have seen, said Mr.. Ruhm, where
the fathers of the Virginians came from,
and now we see the mothers. The speaker
referred to the land aristocracy of Prussia,
and then touched on the subject of immi.
grafton, and remarked that Gen. Harding
could not stop the vast tide of immigra.
ton flowing to this country. He also
quoted DeBOlo's ReUie1C, and in conclusion
said: SIN this connection two questions
are presented to us: Shall we foreigners
who have made up our minds to contest
with Gen. Harding for the rich and unde.
veloped lands of Tennessee, use our inhu.
ence with our special kin to invite them
TO come here and aid us in our contest; oil
] shall we tell them to stay away, as preju