The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-10-25
Republican Prescription.

who are more intent upon securing
continued party power than advancing
the peace and welfare of the country,
have sought to make capital out of the
statement that in New York a certain
element of foreign-born citizens, Ital-
ians, we believe, have been accused of
banding together for political action.
Just what the nature of this organiza-
ton may be, or what its purposes are,
we do not know, but whether really
political or social the smart Republican
editors do not care to find out. 1t is
enough for them to know that there are
foreigners who have formed an associa-
ton, and they hasten to paint dreadful
pictures of the evil results of such
action.
The patriotism of the foreign-born
citizen has been tested in this country.
Upon every battlefield where brave
men sleep the bones of the foreigner lie
commingled with those of the native
born. When the call to arms resounded
through the land, and the strong arm
and stout heart was needed to uphold
the National honor, the naturalized
citizen heard and answered the call
with as much promptness and as much
patriotism as the American, and valor-
Gus fields attest the herOism of
the common courage. We need
not recount the great names
with which American history is
emblaZoned, where soldierly courage
and military pride contributed to swell
the theme of glory. Tor need we re-
count the story of camp and field, where
men, forgetting the accident of birth,
We'd with each other in doing soldiers
duty. Common gratitude, and that
sve of country which makes all nations
one in the common defense, should
teach us not to Judge hastily or forsake
unwisely the patience of men who have
borne themselves worthily in the hour
OF trial. 1t ought to be the duty of those
claiming the birthright of Americans to
deal generously with the foreign-born
citizen, and ere pens are dipped in pref
udice. and savage lessons read of polit-
cal rights and preiudiceS, it would be
much wiser to know and understand the
motives and causes which actuate men
in banding together. If the aim is par
tisan and political, a gathering together
of one class or nationality for distinctive
pOlltISSlI pun JOSCN, IL ID, VI COulSC, oh
error, and should be discOurtenanced,
for we are all one here, hut care should
be .aken to be well informed touching
the fact lest men should be uniustly ac-
cused and condemned without hear
ing. There is, unfortunately, a DISPOSE |
ton manifest among Republican lead
ers to cast slurs upon foreign-born citi-
Zens because in their manners and |
customs they differ from us, and |
because in the exercise of their privi-
leges as American citizens they some
times invade the supposed superior
rights of certain very jealous and |
touchy people. This invasion is not
to damage the liberty which
enjoys, nor interfere with the
ordinary rights and privileges of the
people. but because there is difference
in social customs, some very foolish
people imagine that no customs should
be tolerated here except such as are dis
.inctly fashioned after certain model.
In 4 country broad and open as this is
and made up of different races and ma
5ionalities, the largest measure of per-
'onal freedom consistent with the pub
ic good must be allowed. and that man
S neither wise nor patriotic who seeks
o abridge any part of it simply because
If prejudice. While the fOreign-born
citizen must sink his nationality in the
country OF his adoption, and become an
citizen in all that pertains to
he duties of citizenship, we must not
Expect him to wholly renounce the
Ocal customs and manners which are S
he result of birth and education. Yet t
his latter most disturbs a great many
,OOd people, and the action in question ]
nay be more an organization for social,
'eneficial purposes than the evil specter /
# secret political alliance. I
1t is perhaps natural for adopted cit g
zens to cOngregate together and act to- Z
ether in commercial as we'll as polite 5
! life. This grows out of no hostility t
American institutions but is more the S
esult of habit and training than any t
hing else. For many years most of the b
citizens in the West have
cen the faithful allies of the Republic t
n party. They have stood by them in L
very contest and helped them to win S
lany victories. So long as this was t.
ne case their manners and customs t
ere not found Objectionable. They k
Ould meet for talk and consultation on l
lie eve of a campaign, and if they re- L
olved to vote the Republican ticket no. W
ody raised any clamor of the danger C
free institutions, but since they have s.
lanifested desire to make other al a
ances and boldly announced their in N
,ntion of voting a3ainSt the Repub- II
can party, for reasons satisfactory to Il
lem, murmurs of discomfort are heard, a
nd cases like the one in question hur- d
eddy seized upon to awaken prejudice W
nd foster spirit of native opposition. g
he naturalized citizen has the same tt
ghts here that an American has, no to
ore and no less. Whatever Americans ST
IN do that naturalized citizens may ia
so do, and no man has the right to I'll
-event them. This common principle til
lould be better understood, and it is ID
me that it was generally recognized. al
his country has nothing to fear from d.
) naturalized citizens, but it has much dt
fear from the demagogues who tn
ould use them for party ends. Wash W
gton Exchange. OF
Tho Massachusetts, DIofRorrr NJ