The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-07-27


great care should bestakcn in their application. es-
pecally to our naturalized citizenssg The moment
a foreigner becomes naturalized his allegiance to
his natiye country is seyered forever. He expert
encesa new political birth. A broad and impassa.
BILE Lille separates him from hsnativc country. He
is no'more responsible fer anything he may say or
do, orsomit3to sayscr do, after assuming his new
character, than if he had been born IN the United
States. Should he return to his native country, he
returns as an American citizen, and in no other
character. In order to entile his original govern
ment to punish him for an offence, this must have
been committed whilst he was subject and owed
allegiance to that government. The offence must
have been complete before his expatriation. 1t
must have been Of such a character that he might
have been tried ard punished for it at the moment
of his departure. future liability to serve the
army will not be. sufficient; because, before the
time arrive for such service he has changed his
allegiance, and has become citizen Of the United
States. 1t wouldbe quite absurd to contend that
aboy, brought to this country from foreign conn
try with his fathers family when but twelve years
Of age aud naturaized here, who should afterwards
visit the country of his birth when he had become
man, might then}be seized and compelled to per-
form military service, because, ifhe had remained
there throughout the intervening years and hisl
had been spared, he would have been bound to
perform military service.
70 submit to such a principle would be to make
an odious distinction between our naturaIized and
native citizens. For this reason, in my dispatch
toyou of May IL, 1850, and again in my letter to
Mr.. Hofer Of the 18th ultimo, Icenfnc the foreign
Jurisdiction in regard to our naturaized citizens to
such Of them as "were in the army orwere actual.
ly called into it at the time they left Prussia.
That is, to the case Of actual deserton or refusal
to enter the army after having been regularly
drafted and called into it by the government to
which at thetime they owed allegiance. It's pre-
sumed that neither Of these cases presents any DIFF
fculty in point of principle. ia soldier or sailor
were to desert from our army or navy for which
offence he is liable to a severe punishment, and,
! 3 a.. -. III ~. d. .
after having become naturalized subject Of an
other country, should return to the United States
it would be a singular defence for aim to makctl,at
he was absolyed from Ills crime because, after its
commission, lie had become subject Of another
government. Itwoala be stiH more strange were
that government to nterpose In his behalf for any
such reason. y a
Again, during the last var WITH Great Britain,
in several of the States-I might mention Pennssl-
vania particular militia man who was drafted
and calledint Service was exposed to severe
penalty If he didsnot oboy the draft4and mus Ter;
himself into the service or, in default thereof, pro-
cure a substitute. Suppose such, an indyidual,
after having incurred this penalty, had gone TO a
foreign country and become naturalizcd there and
then returned to Pennsy ivania, is it possible to
imagine that for this reanson the arm efthe State
authorities would bel aralyzed, and tlatthey ceuld
not exact the penalty? Estate these examples to
show more clearly both the extent and the limita-
ton ofrightful Hanoverian jurisdiction suehcases.
1t Is impossible to forcsec all the varying circnn
stances which may attend eases as they may arise
but i is belieyed thatthe principles laid down may
generally be suficient.to guide your conduct. s.,
tits tobe deeply regretted that the German gov
erlmens evilce 50 much tenacty on this subject
It would be better for them, considering the com
paritisely small number of their native subjects
who return to their doniinons after being natural
ICED in this country, not to attempt TO exact Mill
tary service fgom them. They will prove to be
NEST reluctaH soldiers. lfthey violate any Law OF
their netiy4country during their visit, they are,
Of course, lhmenable Ii e other American ctizeas
1t would te asad misfortune is forsthe sake Of an
advantaS e.so tlifng to such governments, they
should yolve themselves in serious difficulties with
4 country 50 DESTROYS as Neare ofmaintaifing with
Them the most friendly relations 1sis: fortunate
shat ferrous culties,of this kind are mainly con-
ined TO the German States and especially the 4
aws Of Great Britain do not authorize any coInpul
SORT military service whatever. lasg. .ss.gs