Democratic Standard

DEMOCRATS OF OHIO! Your rights and privileges are in danger! The great Bulwark of Freedom, THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE, is in peril! Strike, then, American Freemen, for your altars and your homes! Naturalized citizens! Your countrymen who are looking to this country as an asylum and a refuge from tyranny and oppression, are seriously threatened with disgrace and disfranchisement. Those of them who are now among us, are in danger of having their time of probation lengthened out from five to TWENTY ONE YEARS, before they can become American citizens.

Federalism has shown its hand in favor of RESTRICTING THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.

Freemen of Ohio! The crisis of the battle is at hand, and Federalism, under the guise of modern Whiggery, has thrown off its mask, and openly taken the field. Deeply important as are all the issues that have been discussed in this campaign, its very close has brought forth the most alarming demonstrations of danger to our dearest rights and privileges.

The union of Whiggery and Native Americanism, in New York city last spring, aroused serious fears in the breast of every freeman, for the safety of our country and its institutions. That coalition was, on the 8th of October, more fully carried out in the election of State and county officers in the city and county of Philadelphia. Efforts are now being made to bring about a similar coalition in the city of New York, for the State and Presidential election in that State.

What is it, It is the whole and perfect amalgamation of whiggery and Native Americanism.

We have dissected Whiggery,—what then is Native 'Americanism?'

There is but one article in its creed—and that is, a change in the laws for the naturalization of foreigners, so as to extend the time of residence before citizenship can be acquired from five to 21 years.

If this be accomplished, the next step will be to carry out the recommendation of the Hartford Convention, by declaring any naturalized citizen incompetent to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under the Government.

How are these things to be accomplished?

The laws of naturalization are to be changed by Congress.

For what did the Whigs and Natives bargain in Philadelphia? and for what are they endeavoring to coalesce in New York?

Whiggery takes Native votes on the Gubernatorial and Presidential candidates, and, by whig votes, elects Natives to the Congress of the United States, to change the naturalization laws, taking care that, in addition to being Natives, they shall be Clay Bank men.

In Philadelphia, they have already succeeded in electing such members to the next Congress, who will aid Mr. Archer in setting his "ball in motion."

When Nativeism votes for Clay, can it be doubted that its friends have a private stipulation, that he will not 'stop that ball' by the exercise of the veto power?

And yet the Ohio State Journal has the unblushing impudence to declare that nothing but an overwhelming victory will stop the progress of Native Americanism!

What infamous hypocrisy:—what downright falsehood;—what base fraud upon the history of the past, and the intelligence of the people!

What but the 'whig victory' in the New York City charter election, ever gave hope to the designs of this Native American faction, whose masses may be honest, but whose leaders have in it only the corrupt purposes of Federalism?

What but the 'overwhelming whig victory' in Philadelphia has given to the Natives their first and distinct foothold in the Congress of the United States?

What but the prospect of continuing and making more perfect this alliance, by bargain and sale in New York, has stimulated the hopes, and revived the drooping spirits of Federalism, in the election of Mr. Clay?

Let these questions be answered by every American for himself, and with them he can stop the mouth of every whig in the land.

Federalism succeeded by fraud, before the election; and avows its principles and its designs, only in the hour of success.

It elected old John Adams, by the votes of an unsuspecting people, and then disgraced and exiled foreigners by the 'Alien Laws,' and struck at the freedom of speech and the press by its 'Sedition act.'

It denied a U. S. Bank in 1840, and yet called an extra session of Congress, to curse the nation with that, a Bankrupt Law, and its other kindred measures.

Its victories have been won by falsehood, and consummated in fraud upon the people.

Freemen of Ohio—come forth in your strength to this mighty conflict. It is a contest in which all your interests are at stake; and the noblest and dearest of your privileges. The right of suffrage is involved.

Naturalized Citizens—you have secured the right of citizenship—will you deny them to your brothers, your countrymen, who are daily coming to our shores?

Your only safety is in the Democracy, It denounces Native Americanism in bold and open terms. Whiggery forms combinations with it—opens to it the door of Congress, and both join in singing the song of victory.

The immortal Declaration of American Independence, assigned as one of the complaints against George the 3d, and as a reason why the Colonies should be free and independent that "he has endeavored to prevent the population of these States—for that purpose, obstructing the laws of Naturalization of foreigners."

It was for the support and eventual triumph of this Declaration, that thousands of foreign born citizens poured forth their blood and treasure in the war of the Revolution.

It was for this that the gallant Irishman Montgomery fell upon the plains of Quebec.

It was for this that the noble German De Kalb, yielded up his life upon the well fought field of Camden.

It was for this that the noble and generous Pole, Pulaski, fell bearing the standard of American freedom into the British army, on the plains of Savannah.

It was for this, that the brave and generous Frenchman, La Fayette, left his home, and the luxuries of a court, to become the compatriot in arms of our own Washington, and aid in establishing here "an asylum for the care worn and oppressed of all the nations of the Earth," to make it in all time to come "the holy land of human freedom."

Nativeism is following in the footsteps of King George, and Whiggery has taken Nativeism to its embrace, is fighting its battles, and rejoicing over its victories.

Then ONE AND ALL, throw off the flimsy mask of federal deception. Look danger full in the face, and arm to meet it. While the ballot box is still open, whilst the right of suffrage is still unrestrained—come forth in your power, crush Federalism at once, with all its alliances—and your institutions are safe, and your rights secure.

Elect Polk and Dallas, by a triumphant majority, and your country is safe.

WILLIAM TREVITT,
S. D. PRESTON.
A. CHITTENDEN,
JACOB REINHARD
S. MEDARY.
Democratic State Central Com.
Columbus O., October 19, 1844.