West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-10-19
Republican Prescription.

Scmc cunning Republican journalists,
Who are moro intent upon securing
continued party power than advancing
he peace and welfare of the country.
nave sought to makG capital out of the
statement that in New York certain
hemcnt of furoign-born citizens. Ital-
ans. We believe, have bocn accused oC
'anding together for political act on.
lust what the nature of this organ. .r-
ION may bc, or what its purposes arc.
Ne do not know, but whether really
political or social the smart Republican
lditorS do not care 60 find out. II is
WOugh for thom TO know that there nrc
1reigncrs who have formed an aSsn ia
ion, and they hasten 20 paint dreadful
pictures ot the evil results of such
action
The patriotism of the forcign-b born
'itizen has been tested in this country.
Upon every battlefield where brave
ncn sleep the bones of the foreigner l.c
,omminglcd with those ot the native
porn. When the call to arms rcsounded
through the land, and the strong arm
md stout heart was needed to uphold
he National honor tho naturalizcd
,iti1cn heard and answered tho call
With rs much prImptuc-s and as much
patriotism rs the American. aud Valor-
)us fields attest tho hcroism of
he common courage We need
rot recount the GREAT names
With which American history is
mblazoncd. where slldicrlv couragc
md military pride contributed To swell
he theme of glory, nor need we re-
count the story of camp and field, where
men. forgetting the accident of birth,
We'd with each other i'm doing soldiers
duty Common gratitude, and that
love of country which makes all nations
one i'm the common defense. should
teach us not to Judge hastily or forsakc
unwiscly the patience of men who have
borne themselves worhily in the hour
oi trial. II ought to bc the duty of those
claiming the buthright of Americans to
deal generously with the iorcign-horn
citizen, and ere pens arc dipped in pre-
udicc. and savage lessons read of po1it-
cal rights and prc.udiccs, IL would bc
much wiser TO know and understand the
motives and causes which actuate men
in banding together If the aim is par
tlsan aud political, gathering together
OF one class or nationality for distinctive
political purpose, IL is, OF course, an
error, and should bc .scourtcnanccd.
for we are all one here, hut care should
be taken to be well informed touching
the fact lest men should be I'm Justly nc
cUscd and condemned without II hear
ing. There is, unfortunately, disposi.
ton manifest among Republican lead
crs TO cast slurs upon forcign-bOru citi
Zens because in their manners an,
customs they differ from Us, anC
because i'm the exercise of their pTiVi
leges as American citizens they some
lines invade the supposed superior
rights Of certain very Jealous and
tOuchy people. This invasion is not
calculated TO damage the liberty which
anybody enjoys, nor Interfere with the
ordinary rights and privileges of the
people. but because there is "a difference
in social customs. some very foolish
people imagine that no customs should
bc tolerated here except such rs are dis
tinCtly fashioned after certain model.
In II country broad AMI open as this is
and made up of different races and ma
tiOnalitics, the largest measure of per
sOnal freedom consistent with the pub
lie good must be allowed. and that man
is neither wise nor patr otic who seeks
To abrldgc any part Of it simply because
Of prejudice. While the forcign-bOrn
citizen must sink his nationality in the
country OF his adoption, and become an
American citizen i'm all that pertains "a
the duties Of citizenship, we must not
expect HIM TO wholly rcnouncc the
social customs and manners which are
the result OF. birth and education. Yet
this latter most diSturbs q great many
good people, and the action in question
may be more an organization for social,
beneficial purposes than the evil spcctcl
of q Sc ret political alliance.
II is perhaps natural for adopted cit
izcns TO cOngrcgato together and act TO-
gcthcr in commercial as well q polite
al life Thi, grows ont of no hostility
TO American Institutions bat is more the
result of habit and ira ning than any
thing else. For many years most Of the
fOrcign-bOrH citizens iu the West have
been the faithful allie, Of the Republic
an party. They have stood bv them iu
every contcs and helped them TO win
many victories. SO long rs this was
the case their manners aud customs
were not found Objectionable. They
could meet for talk and consultation ON
the eve Of q cau.pp gu. and if they re.
solved 10 vote the Republican ticket no
body raised any clamor NJ the danger
ol free institutions, bat since they havc
manifested desire tO make other al.
liances and boldly announced thor in.
tcnton Of voting UJoUH The Rcpub.
licau party. for reasons satisfactory On
them, murmyrs of discOutcni are heard,
and cases like the one in question hur
ricdly seized upon to awaken prciudic,
md fostor % spirit Of native opposition
The naturalilcd citizen has the sam,
rights here that an American has. nC
more and no Jess Whatever American.
can do that naturalIlcl citizen may
also do, and no man has the right "a
prevent them This common principl,
should be better understood. and DO f.
time that 10 was generally recognized
This country has nothing ~ fear from
It's naturaliled citizens bat 10 has muci
to fear from the dcmagogucs who
would use them for party ends Wash.
HgiOH ErchUUg,
The Massachusetts Platform.