proximity to the enterprising people of the United States, and its one-time occupation by a European court with Germano-Latin armies, this country has until lately received a comparatively small influx of foreigners.
The cause must be sought partly in the many restrictive enactments elsewhere spoken of,[1] partly in the civil and political disorders, bad administration of justice, military and tax levies, lack of ready communications, credit system in trade, inability to recover capital vested in improvements, unreliability of workmen, and general insecurity. Another powerful cause, to which the restrictions are mainly due, lies in the native jealousy of foreigners, whose energy and ability are too marked not to be acknowledged and bitterly felt. Hence, also, the persecution and outrages indicated by numerous and constant reclamations against the government. The least objection is entertained against the related Spaniards and the semi-cognate French, despite the frequent outbreaks in former years against the one — now almost forgotten — and the political troubles with the latter, whose polite and assimilative qualities are favorable features. Then come the Germans, against whom are counted their success as merchants and their protestant faith; while their cold and selfish demeanor tells against the English. The Yankees bear, since 1846, the additional and menacing form of bugbears, from whom everything is to be feared, to the loss of possessions, independence, and nationality itself. In remote districts may still be found lingering some of the old absurd notions about foreigners, as beings excluded from the communion of the faithful, and speaking diabolic tongues. The term Jew, so long applied to them, was in the early days of the republic widely modified to English, who came in considerable numbers to open mines and trade.[2] After 1838 the French became
