Guarding Liberty: A Call to Preserve the Spirit of 1776
The following article, published on July 4, 1840, in The Native American newspaper in Washington, D.C., captures a pivotal moment in the United States’ early history, reflecting both the exuberance of Independence Day and the growing anxieties of a young nation.1 Written sixty-four years after the Declaration of Independence, the piece celebrates the revolutionary triumph of 1776 while sounding a cautionary note about perceived threats to American liberty. It articulates a fervent call to preserve the principles of the Revolution, warning against internal and external dangers, particularly the influx of immigrants and the influence of foreign ideologies. Steeped in patriotic zeal, the article reflects the nativist sentiments of its time, advocating for the abolition of naturalization laws to protect the nation’s “uncorrupted hearths.” This historic text offers a window into the complexities of American identity, balancing pride in the nation’s founding with fears of its potential erosion, a tension that resonates through history. Below is a full transcript of this evocative piece, preserving its original language and tone.
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Sixty-four years ago, this day, a deed was done that made nations wonder, and the world shake. On this day, sixty-four summers past, crowned heads hung loose, and potentates feared. The day for which loud-mouthed cannon now speak with joy, was then, in solemn and rightful debate, devoted to the performance of a work, that should be no less the praise than the fear of kings. The act that that day was done at Philadelphia, in the firm belief of its future triumph, in profound dictation to its justice, and the knowledge of its right, and in sight of the death-dealing instruments of our invaders—is now celebrated with joy; and those implements used as the proclaimers of victory over oppression, which speak aloud the anniversary of a nation’s birth, and the resting place of Liberty. Now, we can “worship under our own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make us afraid.” Open enemies we never did fear, nor never will; nevertheless the double-faced hypocrite and base sycophant is to be watchfully guarded. From open foes without, we now are free—but watch well, lest we fall from those within. It was not the mere speaking the Declaration of Independence into existence that placed us where we now are, but a vigilant guardianship of its principles and interests that made us free and happy. And, as time rolls on, let us not forget that there is as much necessity for vigilance now as there was then; that our country and our institutions are as much the envy of monarchs now, as they were then; that their overthrow now would give them greater joy, than would our surrender have done then—for the experiment is fully proved. And with us, as with our Revolutionary fathers, “mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” And as we have seen new evils to which they were not exposed, but which at that time, was necessarily courted—we mean emigration—that which they considered a grievance when it was endeavored to stop its progress—because of its necessity, and the want of citizens, (and especially such citizens as in those days come to our shores)—men who “knew their rights, and knowing, dared maintain them”—men who come to enjoy, and, if needs be, fight for liberty— men who left their country because of oppression, and bad government; such it was then considered a grievance to keep away. But, we say, it is now different. We see a grievance—a deep grievance—in the diversified emigration now overflowing our shores; we see the danger of admitting the corrupt of other countries to our yet uncorrupted hearths. And what was then considered a grievance in one way. Kings endeavored then to subject us by keeping power from us— they now endeavor to subject us by sending power among us—the power of corrupt principles, and the deadly poison of monarchieal (sic) governments—the crime of their own country, and the bane of viciousness. All this we have borne, until we have become convinced that it is treason to ourselves longer to endure it; that our institutions will sink under the weight of the influence of others, unless that influence is speedily averted; and thus have we been more “disposed to suffer these evils, than to right ourselves by abolishing the forms to which we have been subjected.” “But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations,” “evinces a design to reduce us to an absolute despotism, it is our duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for our future security.” Thus we have the great charter of our liberties for our guide. We see that the continuance of the naturalization laws will be the cause of our overthrow, unless speedily abolished; and we should at once do it. And while the joyous glee of freedom’s birthday is gloriously filling every breeze, let native Americans swear anew on the altar of freedom, never to relax their exertions, until their country is free from this “Grecian horse.” While cannons are speaking our Independence, let them “pledge to each other, their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors,” that “they are,” and of right ought to be, “free and independent” people—dependent alone on their own good hands and hearts for their freedom and support—and not courting the favors of princes or kings, for the affairs of their corrupt governments. We therefore, on this glorious day, renew our duty to our country, and our allegiance to our conscience, and set out with a stronger determination to fight the enemies of a free government, and wage war to the hilt, against the seducers of any of our citizens, from the principles of our Institutions. And with the view of calling upon all our native American brethren to fight with us, and for us, we lay before them an instrument of which they may be proud, asking them to help us to perpetuate its blessings. And, while reading it, may their thoughts revert back to the “days that tried men’s souls;” when the fathers of the children we are now fostering and courting, were dealing out death and desolation to our sires, and then say if we are not justifiable—aye, if is it not a duty we owe, to work for the abolishment of the naturalization laws, that we may safely trust the blow for our overthrow may not be stuck at home. For our country let us live—and, if needs be, for our country let us die—but it would be madness to hug to our bosoms those whom we know would strike the blow of death. Then, when our work is done, we may indeed rejoice in security; our cannons may proclaim our independence; our children may wear the cap of freedom; and our hills may echo the voice of liberty; our people may boast of the fair dimensions of our fabric, and the beauty of our Institutions; our cheers may tell our feelings of gratitude to our forefathers; and our prayers may whisper thanks to the Almighty Ruler of the Universe for deliverance from our enemies, and the privileges we enjoy, by the signal interposition of His might hand.
“Independence Day,” The Native American (Washington, D.C.), July 4, 1840, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress, https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86053569/1840-07-04/ed-1/seq-4/.