Enemies of America Unmasked - By J. Wayne Laurens

CHAPTER III. FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN MUNICIPAL, AFFAIRS — DESIGN OF THE MONARCHS OF EUROPE.

A contemporary writer (In the Philadelphia Daily Sun) presents the following startling facts in relation to foreign influence in municipal affairs, and also in relation to the designs of European sovereigns with respect to the United States.

“We have already adverted to the startling fact that of the Police force of New York, seven hundred and eighteen are natives of the United States, four hundred and seventeen born in foreign countries, and that thirty-nine of them had been in the State Prison. The American Organ, commenting upon this, remarks, ‘ Does any one believe that more than one- third of the police force of New York would have been composed of foreigners, if the demagogues who control that city had not relied upon the foreign vote to sustain them in their, corrupt practices? It is customary, in this country, to regard with horror the corruptions of European governments. But in what court of Europe, let us ask, does corruption walk more unblushingly in noonday, than for years she has stalked with brazen face through the City Hall, of New York? Were it not for her large foreign population, New York would be as well governed as Boston, or Charleston, or Philadelphia. Why not? Her American citizens are as honest, as virtuous, and as law- abiding as those of any other city. It is the foreign element, forming so large a portion of her population, which renders her a disgraceful exception to all the other citizens of the United States. Two years ago, three of her Aldermen were indicted by the grand jury; and, as we write, one of her Common Council, an Irishman, is an inmate of the Tombs, for aiding the escape of the murderer of Poole — that murderer himself a policeman and a foreigner!

“The danger of making this country a receptacle for the bad and disaffected population of Europe, and investing them with the rights of citizens has long ago, and often been pointed out. The Duke of Richmond, formerly the celebrated Colonel Lennox, was Governor of Canada in 1815 — 16. The late Horatio Gates, a native of Massachusetts, was at that time an eminent merchant in Montreal, and was known and respected by thousands in Canada and his native country. Mr. Gates reports the following remarks as having been made in his presence by the Duke of Richmond:

“The Duke, a short time before his death, in speaking of the government of the United States, said, ‘It was weak, inconsistent, and bad, and could not long exist.’ ‘It will be destroyed; it ought not, and will not be permitted to. exist, for many and great are the evils which originated from the existence of that government. The cause of the French revolution, and subsequent wars and commotions in Europe are to be attributed to its example; and so long as it exists, no prince will be safe upon his throne; and the sovereigns of Europe are aware of it, and they have determined upon its destruction, and come to an understanding upon this subject, and have decided on the means to accomplish it; and they will eventually succeed by subversion rather than conquest.’ ‘As the low and surplus population of the different nations of Europe will be carried into that country; it is and will be a receptacle for the bad and disaffected population of Europe, when they are not wanted for soldiers, or to supply the navies, and the European governments will favor such a course.’ ‘This will create a surplus and majority of low population, who are so very easily, excited; and they will bring with them their principles, and in nine cases out of ten, adhere to their ancient and former governments, laws, manners, and religion, and will transmit them to their posterity, and in many cases propagate them among the natives.’

“‘These men will become citizens and by the constitution and laws, will be invested with the right of suffrage. The different grades of society will then be created by the elevation of a few and by degrading many, and thus a heterogeneous population will then be formed, speaking different languages, and of different religions and sentiments, and to make them act, think, and feel alike, in political affairs, will be like mixing oil and water; hence discord, dissension, anarchy, and civil war will ensue, and some popular individual will assume the government and restore order, and the sovereigns of Europe, the immigrants, and many of the natives will sustain him.

“‘The Church of Rome has a design upon that country, and it will, in time, be the established religion, and will aid in the destruction of that republic. I have conversed with many of the sovereigns and princes of Europe, and they have unanimously expressed these opinions, relative to the government of the United States, and their determination to subvert it!'”

“Have not these prophetic words been verified! The question then arises, in the language of our Washington contemporary — shall this state of things continue? Shall the United States remain for ever a receptacle for the ignorant, vicious, and disaffected population of Europe? Shall Europe be permitted for the future to vomit forth upon our shores annually, five hundred thousand paupers, criminals, and vagabonds, of every grade and hue, to become, after the lapse of five years, American citizens, American law-makers, and American office-holders? This is the question which the American people are now required to answer. We say now. Because, if the settlement of this great question be postponed for five or ten years longer, it will be too late to answer it, as it should be answered. If postponed for a. few years, the foreign party will become so strong that it will be impossible to effect the reformation in our naturalization laws, so imperatively required for the conservation and well-being of our republican institutions. No! Delays are not only dangerous, they are fatal! Now or never is the time for action.