But I deny their right to assume. as the signers of this "declaration" assume. that they are better or more loyal and patriotic Americans than I am. In the light of facts it is fair to presume that I have as much right to be as proud of the honor of my country and as zealous in maintaining it as themselves. considering that my ancestors in both paternal and maternal lines settled in it prior to 1670. and that my ancestors played no small part in throwing off the yoke of England during the war for American independence. when the ancestors of ninetenths of them were still in Ireland. I very frankly admit that I am glad when my course on public matters meets with the approval of any considerable number of Americans. whether or not they are foreign born or the descendants of foreignborn ancestors. but I do not admit their right to abuse me because I do not see matters from their viewpoint. And I shall vote on all questions pertaining to the public welfare according to the dictates of my own conscience. and if at any time it seems to me that the public welfare can be subserved by a reversal of a position I took at some previous time I shall not be ashamed nor afraid to change. As for the charge in this "declaration" that by my change I am sacrificing the interest of my State or of its principal city. it is sufficient to say I do not believe it. nor do I believe that any considerable number of the citizens of Louisiana so think.
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foreign born