The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-10-25
NATIVE AMERICANISM.

A DEFENCE OF THE SECRET ORGAN"
HZATION KNOWN AS THE MA
TkvE AMERICAN PARTY.
why Natlv1sm H. Necessary-The KNOW"
Nothings OF zSS4-aS6a.
To the Editor of the Democrat:
For the past three months articles have ap-
pearedin some of the daily papers of this city
In regard to the Native American party, the
intent OF which was and is to cast Odium upon
it. and which must, as matter OF course, be
excused as q political measure according, to
the views Of the politicians Of the present day
and generation, in which 1t seems NltUpera-
tive abuse must take the place of argument
and interest the place of patriotism
! am aware that many Intelligent citizens
are avers,e to secret political organizations,
but while / can understand and appreciate
that aversion, am at q loss to comprehend
why all this effort Is being made to expose
tear up and condemn the fabric Of the party
in question, when it is 8 we'll known fact that
secret political associations OF others than
natives born have existed here for years, and
are playing all the time an Important part in
the political arena.
In last Sundays DEMOCRAT some two or
three pages were devoted to what purports to
bean expose Of the origin and proceedings OF
the Native American party from its inception
to the present time. It might be termed the
rise and progress of the party, and no doubt
the author would like to live long enough TO
apri6 the histor;; of its decline Gnd tGit, which
he is not likely to do.
in stating for it's party and to its readers that
the National party is nothing more nor less
than the Native American party In disguise;
There are hundreds OF good and Intelligent
party that cannot under, any circumstances
be induced to unite with the Nationals.
NV object, however, is to defend the party
to which am allied. and myself for belong
ing to it, as my name has been puDllShed III
the expose referred to.
Whilst the members Of the Native Ameri-
can party do not propose to change the nat
uralization laws or to deprive any natural
lied citizen Of the right s3ither of suffrage or
holding office, they think there has been en-
given by the political demagogues Of the dif-
ferent parties to the organization OF the va
riOus foreign elements now La our midst INTO
separate and exclusive bodies, to insure the
success of pnrty, regardless OF consequences
to the country.
It seems inherent In man to love his native
country and to, in his adopted land, boast OF
It's people it's laws, Its institutions and it's
great men; and / take it for granted that
there is some difference between the man who
has but one country to love, care for and tight
for and he who has two. In q contest between
his native and his adopted country he might
find it hard to decide which to defend. But
few Englishmen took sides with the Americans
tn the revolution OF l776
Again, most of the foreigners that come
among us have been reared in very different
political schools and educated to very differ
ent ideas from ours. In most Of the countries
of Europe for the past 300 years the church
has been part of the State, and In some tho
controlling power; whilst in this we have been
taught that every man, woman ana chld may
ft,lo RI n 1IptgtnG n
her or its own conscience, but that the church
must not attempt to grasp at temporal power
or in any way interfere with affairs OF state;
and yet we almost yearly see the seCtarlan
bigotries and intolerance, that nave been
planted and grown to maturity on foreign soil,
transferred to this great land OF religious
liberty, to be fought out here.
1t IS but q few years since that the entire
military force of the city OF New York was
called out to protect an Orange procession!
When the German-French war was ended,
and the Communists Of the latter country
were crushed out by military force, after hay
ing deluged Paris with blood, we in few
weeks after see some Of these cOmmunistic
leaders received in our own country with
open arms and high honors.
But few days since there appeared IN the
papers of this city telegram from Berlin
announcing the fact that the Socialist leaders
to the United States or to Asia Minor, in case
the Socialist bill passed the German Parlla-
ment.
So it seems that the religious bjgotries and
intolerances of all Europe and the Commun-
ism Of France and the Socialism OF Germany
are to be transferred to this land OF FREE
DOM to find q happy resting place-no, not
resting place, but congenial working place.
They will be at once taken under the care OF
the great godmother of foregners-the Dem
Ocratic party-and made voters, ward bum
mers, and speedily elevated to profitable pub
Ii, Lawn nrnSiHnI ihnV
faithful to the party, regardless OF the coun-
try'S welfare.
This thing of combining the foreign ele-
ments of this country to secure party predom-
nance and power has been carried too far.
The conservative and Intelligent foreigners
our politics are to be reformed, our free insti-
buttons preserved and public virtue re-estab
lished and maintained, it is more likely to be
done by American than foreign combinations.
| have no objections against voting for q
naturalized citizen, if he is q worthy and
qualified man for the office TO which he as
pires or for which he may be nominated by
his felloW-citizens; but most seriously object
to be compelled by party discipline to vote for
him just because he is a German, or an Irish
man, an Italian, Or O Dane, in order that his
particular nation shall be represented in the
councils of the city, State or general govern
ment.
Foreigners who come here to live should
become American citizens, and not try to eStab-
Iish their respective natOnalitles into polit-
ical powers to the absolute exclusion OF natives
born. It is we'll known fact that some men
within the past two years have been refused
public employment, and others appointment,
because they were reported and supposed to
belong to the Native American party.
The doctrine enuncated by William L.
Marcy, "To the victors belong the spoils
Of the enemy" is, one that well suits
the Democracy of the present day,
or rather, the Democrats of the day; but
it is doctrine so barbarous and so at va
rance with pure Democracy, that were it not
for the wonderful, inherent and adhesive pow
ers of this government it would long since
have ruined it; and 1t is one that the Native
American party does not propose to put in its
platform Or carry into operation.
I see in Monday mornings DEMOCRAT what
purports to be an expose OF the Red Warriors
II there is s11cll! an orsanlzIauon, l Know
the DEMOCRATS publication of its existence.
It certainly is not connected with the Native
American party, for there are many In that
rt for tn t1-ic