The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-07-22
IT. B. SWOOPE.
II = u. . " % Z II
Chairman Amer. State Committed.
Cie0rfeld, Pa, Sept. ID, 1857.
From "The Constitution" )" of July lI.l
THE NATURALIZATION QUESTION.


THE NATURALIZATION QUESTION.
So much misapprehension prevails in rekr-
[ ence to the views OF the Administration on
this question, that we embrace the opportunity
furnished by practical case, which has re-
Gently arisen in the kingdom of Hanover 10
refer to it again.
| The case is that of naturalIZed citizen OF
the United States, who is a native Of Hanover,
and who, when he left his native country,
was neither in actual service in the Hanover
! ian army nor had he been drafted TO serve in j, ,
but who has yet, upon his return TO Hanover,
been deprived OF his liberty and compelled TO do
military duty.
The Intervention OF our Government having
! thus become necessary, the whole subject of the
| rights OF our naturaiized citizens has received
! the renewed and careful consideration of the
President, and his views, as well as those Of
bis entire Cabinet, upon this important subject,
VIII be found in the following extract which
we are permitted TO make from despatch
| transmitted few days ago from the Depart
ment OF State TO our Minister at Berlin in rea-
ton to the case referred to.
| 1t IS impossible to add anything TO the
strength and clearness of this statement; aud
| we are persuaded that it will meet the full
concurrence of every rejecting man in The
country:
E1trnct Of Despatch from the Department of
State, TO the Minister of the United Statss
al Berlin, dated July 8, 1889.
The right Of expatriation cannot at this day
be doubted or denied in the United States
The idea has been repudiated ever since the
origin of our Government, that a man is bound
to remain forever in the country o! his birth,
and that he has no right to exercise his free
will, and consult his own happiness by selecting
new home. The most eminent writers on
public law recognize the right of expatriatian
This can only be contested by those who in the
nineteenth century are still devoted to the
ancient feudal law with all its oppression. -
The doctrine of perpetual allegiance is a relic
OF barbarism which has been gradually disap-
The Constitution oil the United States Feceg-
nizes the natural right of expatration, by con-
ferriug upon Congress the power ''to establish
uniform rule of natuI alIzation." Indeed, II
was one of the grievances alleged against The
| British King in the Declaration of Indepen-
Gencq, that he had 'endeavored 10 prevent the
! population of these States-for that purpos
! obsiructing the laws of naturalization OF Tor
eigners, refusing TO pass others 10 encourag'
! their migration hither," &C., SC. The Cor
stitution thus clearly recognizes the principk
of expa!riation in the strongest manner.
! would have been inconsistent in itself and utt
worthy Of the character OF the authors oil tha
instrument, 10 hold out inducements to for
egners 10 abandon their native land, TO re
nounce their allegiance to their native govrre
ment and TO become citizens OF the Unitei
! Al bod
absolute and unconditional right of expatriatior.
Congress has uniformly acted upon tbs
principle ever since the commencement of tlP
Federal Government. They established q
uniform rule of naturalization" nearly seven
" years ago. There has since been no period
in our history when laws for this purpose did
not exist, though their provisions have under
gone successive changes. The alien, IN order
TO become citizen, must declare on oath OF
affirmation that he will support the Constitu-
ton OF the United States; and, at the same tImei
be is required to absolutely and entirely re-
nounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity td
every fore ign prince, potentate, State or Sove-
reignty whatever, and particularly, by name,
the prince, potentate, State or sovereignty
whereof he was before a citizen.
The exercise of the right OF naturalization,
and the consequent recognition of the principle
OF expatriation, are not confined to the Govern
ment OF the United States. There is not "a
country in Europe, I believe, at the present
moment, where the law does not authorize the
naturalization OF foreigners in one form Oh
other. Indeed, IN some of these countries hi.
; law is more liberal than cur own toward:
foreigners.
The question then arises, what rights do our
laws confer upon foreigner by granting hin
naturalization / answer, all the rights, privI-
leges and immuni,ies which belong 10 ma
; tive-born citizen, in their full extent with the
single qualification that, under the Consitu-
ton, ono person except native-born citizen is
eligible to the office of President" With this
: exception, the naturalized citizen from and
} after the date of bis naturalization, both al
, home and abroad, is placed upon the very same
footing with the native citizen. He is neither
in better nor worse condition. If native
: citizen chooses 10 take up his residence in q
foreign country for the purpose OF advancing
bis fortune or promoting his happiness, he is
whilst there bound TO obey IFS municipal laws
equally with those who have lived IN it all
their lives. He goes abroad with his eyes open
and ifthese laws be arbitrary and unjust, be
! has chosen TO abide by the consequences
! II they are administered in an equal sfrit
} towards himself and towards native subjects,
this Government has no right to interfere au-
thoritativeiy in his behalf. To do this woul be
} to violate the right Of an independent Natio TO
D iegisate within IFS own Territories If his