Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-10-21
The Costa Case.


We are glad to find so much resolu-
ton manifested at Washington, to pro-
tect our citizens at home and abroad
We are very far from sympathizing with
those who stop to enquire into every
minutia in reference to Costa's citizen
ship. We think the Secretary Of State
is right in basing Costa's right to the
protection of our flag on the following
considerations:
/. His migration to our country with
declared and manifestly sincere inten-
ton of becoming a citizen, enforced by
his residence on our soil for nearly two
years;
2. His solemn remuneration of all al
legiance to the Emperor of Austria,
(who had exiled, outlawed and tried to
kill him) and his formal declaration Of
his purpose to become citizen of the U.
States so soon as our laws would permit
him to do so;
3. His application for and reception
Of letter of protection from our lega-
ton at Constantine ple-he having re-
turned to Turkey (but not to Austria) on
his own private business.
The National Intelligencer, says in
reference to the Secretary's reply to
Cher. Hulsemann:
ga curso-y perusal OF il discloses
points for commentator and some for
dissent; but the respect due to so impor-
tant paper requires that it should not
be treated lightly or hastily, and we de-
fer any formal comment on its merits or
defects until our readers shall have had
an opportunity to read and digest it. We
will only say to-day that the subject is
treated with the ability which distinguish
es the Secretary as a controversial wri-
ter, and in a calm but firm tone, and that
its chief defect lies in the extent to which
he goes in defending Costa's right to the
immunity Of citizenship and to the pro-
lection due only to a citizen of the Uni
ted States. To assert that the inchoate
act of a mere declaration OF intention to
become a citizen, at once clothes an
alien with the rights and privileges o.
naturalization, at home or abroad, is, in
our opinion. not borne out by the law
aud is contradicted by the construction
given to the law by the decisions of the
Supreme Court of the United States
We think, further, that such a doctrine
is at variance with the fe eliBgs and con.
victions of the great body of the Amer.
lean people, of whatever party. and thai
they place too high value on the boor
of citizenship willingly to concede it on
terms SO slight and cheap, even with tn,
ease and rapidity with which letters
are stamped in the post-office. Thus
much we feel bound to say now, though
with great Difference to the judicial ex-
perience and ability OF the learned Sec
retary."
We think the Intellgencer misstate.
the Secretary's position in the above ex
tract-misstates IL in such a manner n
TO weaken the attitude justly taken b.
our Government and give encourage
ment to the Austrian despot in pressing
an unjust and inadmissible demand. Ma,
we not hope that I he Intelligencer will
re-examine the Secretary's language an,
revise its own hasty judgments II on
Government Is entirely right in the mat
ter Of Costa,a we feel very sure il is
let us for once exhibit the spectacle o
the American People forgetting all par
tison differences, all chronic prejudices
all IN born timidities, and rallying as on
man around the Government OF thei
choice In the defense OF weakness agains
violence, right against despotism, human
ity, against oppression.