The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-07-07

mitted since the Inauguration of Mr.. Buchan-
an, if we except the abortive attempt to intro
/ duce Kansas into the Union under fraudu-
| lent Pro-Slavery Constitution. 1t has aroused
| feeling of universal Indignation among natu-
| rallied citizens and will react with terrible
effect at future elections. Even Irshmen,
whose loyalty to "the party" was never known
to waver, are now in state of open rebellion ;
and they are beginning to fraternize with the
! Know Nothings in denouncing the Admins
! tration.
The bold and vigorous letter of Mr.. Bolts,
and the general acceptance which it has met
among the organs of his party, has greatly
softened the antipathy which for five or six
years has existed between the natives and
foreign-born citizens. We shall not be sur
prised if the blunder Of the Administration re-
suit in healing thc feuds Of these classes, which
at times have threatened to terminate in civil
war They will now rally in serried ranks at
the polls with the common purpose of putting
down a party which has pro7en false and
treacherous to American citizens travelling
| abroad. We have never approved the princi-
Piles of the Know Nothing party; but it is only
fair to admit that we see no inconsistency in
the position they now occupy as the champions
of unabridged citizenship, and that which has
been their distinguishing characteristic They
have been opposed to making citizenship too
cheap; but when foreigner has attained to
that high privilege, they may well insist that
nc is entitled to the same protection in it as
native
The more thoroughly this subject in investi-
gated the more clear does 1t become. that
General Cass and Mr. Buchanan, from mere
ttmidity and fear of getting into difficulties
with the great Powers Of Europe, have aban-
doned the naturalized citizens, which the laws
OF nations no less than those of our own country,
concede to them. The party in power is famous
for its insoent bearing towards the feebler
| Powers of the world, such as Spain, Mexico,
and the Central and South American States.
1t has cut off slice after slice from poor Mex
leo, until less than half her territory remains
and now it is intimated that Cabinet Councils
are being held with reference to the question
of taking what remains, at a mouthfull. 1t has
bulhed Spain time and again, and compelled
her to apologize for the defence of her own
soil against the invasion of lawess bands of
hlibusters. 1t even now demands of that
Power the sale of It's most valuable possession.
lest it should become Free and thus serve as a
harbor for runaway slaves.
| 1t "intervenes in Central America on any
and all occasions in defence of the real or pre-,
tended rights of American citizens but when
the naturalized citizen, perhaps husband and
father of family residing among us, or high
officer under State or the Federal Govern
ment, is kidnapped and forced into the military
service of a foreign despotism, under which he
/ happened to be born, there is no redress for
him. The brave words Of our {" Democratic :,
chiefs are then put to the test, and they are
found to be mere buster.
The position taken by General Cass places
the foreignborn citizen of this country in pre-
cisely the predicament of fugitive slave in
/ Canada. He says to Mr.. lie CIerc :" In reply.
have to state that the French Government
claims military service of all natives of France
who may be found within its jurisdiction. Your
naturalization in this country aOW not exempt
goa from that claim, should you voluntarily
repair thither.'
This is substantially such an answer as Lord
John Russell now the English Foreign Secre.
tary would give to fugitive slave in Canada.
he would say to such a correspondent, " In
America, the law of the State from which you
emigrated to her Majestys province held YOU
as slave for life. You are now free, so lone
as you remain on British soil; but, if you return
to American jurisdiction, your naturalization
IN Canada will not exempt you from the claim
of your former master"
Such, then, according to a Democratic Ad-
ministTatiou, is the condition Of some four mil
lions Of American citizens. They are but
fugitive slaves, who are all safe enough while
they remain on our soil ; but the American fac
will afford them no protection if, unhappily.
they fall into the hands of the foreign despot in
whose domnions they were born.
This decision, though contrary TO interna.
tlonal law and to natural right, is perfectly
consistent with the creed of the Pro-Slavery
party. They cannot say to European Govern.
ments, you must not lay hands on our fell
low-citzen, who was native of YOUR conn.
try, and who now revisits it to receive An inner
itance, or to take last look at the home of his
childhood, without inviting those countries, and
particularly England, to make the same demand
in behalf of fugitive slaves who NAV wish r.
revisit their friends in the South. This Is the
real difficulty. The chain which letters the
heel OF the slave has the other end riveted
around the neck of the naturalized citizeh He
who stands up for American Slavery must con
cede the utmost demands of European desnots
But the American Government might YER,
well stand out against the demands of Euro
pean despotisms, Notwithstanding its Pro-Sla
very complications. The cases of the Euro
pean immigrant to this country and the fugitive
slave in Canada are not entirely parallel. Tn,
The Government might justly point out the dis
tinction-that in the one case the Euronea,
eInigrant leaves his native land with the i'm
r piled assent of his Government, while the fup;
tive slave goes ont clandestinely, and agains
the laws. 1t is true that this special and tech
nical ground of defence of the rights of natu
rallied citizens surrenders the doctrine of 8
natural right of expatriation; but it is better tc
r protect our naturalized citizens on any terms
than to surrender their rights without protest