Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-08-12
The Rixhss Of American Citizen.

The RixhtS Of American Citizen
ship.
The miserable and imbecile policy pursued
on this question by Democratic Administra-
tons, and so shamelessly enunciated in the
LIE Clerc letter, continues to be the subject Of
genersi condensation, and is more than ever
arousing public attention to the importance Of
Introducing a change Of the persons that hold
the chief reins Of government. Human life
and liberty sre recognized by our system as
everything, ana the power to ah,idge either
should be jealously guarded FROM abuse upon
slight and capricious causes. The citizen Of
ROME could appeal to his nationality, when
abroad and happening to come in conflict with
the demands of foreign authority, with the
positive assurance of having his rights
respected, and even-handed justice accorded
him. Not so with the American citizen away
from his country's territory; the earnest
appeal, II am an American citizan!" to
protect himself from outrage, is answered too
often by scoff and mockery, and the unhappy
victim, who, perhaps, for no pretext but that
of private revenge, has been deprived of his
liberty, is left to the mercy of his oppressor
some naughty tyrant to whom that name
should be wholesome terror, and exact his
scrupulous respect and awe for the rights and
immunities it conveys. The unwritten history
of our country is full Of incidents like this,
and the heart of the patriot groans at their
recital. Again and again have individuals
entitled to the protection Of our government
been seized in foreign countries and impris.
oned without the least shadow of regard for
those principles Of law and justice that should
universally obtain. Innocent men have
sendurcd the extreme punishmentef death for
crimes the NEST trivial, established upon proof
the most frivolous, or at the instance of mere
personal hatred, and the bare suspicion Of a
purpose offensive to the institutions of the
country in which they were made to suffer.
An energetic administration Of our govern
zncnt at home would effectually remove these
abuses, and improve its reputation, influence
and authority abroad. Nothing short Of a
sound national policy, and its prompt and
rigid application wherever and whenever the
rights Of citizenship are invaded, can secure
our persons or oar flag from foreign insult
and violence. The precise conditions Of citi
zenship should first Of an be definitely settled
and guaranteed. Our consuls to foreign
countries should be required to report
promptly to the government any case that
may arise Of person, claiming to haye full
filed those conditions, who is incarccrated
within the limits of his jurisdiction; and he
should be empowered to visit and communi-
cate with such person while imprisoned, in
spite of all police regulation, and no American
whatever may be the charge against him
should be executed abroad, until full report
Of the case has been presented to the Govern
ment at home, and its concurrence and
approval of the sentence obtained.
The Democratic party has proved itself
Incompetent or unwilling to attempt any such
measaares, or to take the initiative in this
necessary reform. Even the retractions of
Secretary Cass are made so awkwardly as to
discourage the least confidence in his own or
the sincerity Of his political associates. A
new era must be inaagarated at Washington
itself. The vigorous and comprehensive prin-
cples Of Republieanisn nssst-for the perpe-
tuity of our country requires it-supercede
Tie corrupt and e6sse system Of modern slave
breeding Democracy! To secure this needed
Conversion, your influence, people Of Iowa,
can, only be properly directed when you aid
IN securing Republican State government,
with the>consequent moral effect it will exert
upon the cosptry at large, and the election Of
two U. S. SehAtprs, which it embraces.
5 Remember! yds, too. are IAN AMERICAN
CITIZEN I"
& SPLAYED Our" John Mitchell who longed
for plantation in Alabama, "well stocked
With neeroes," has given up his paper, the
Oieissn, and il going back to ireland, not
having been able TO reach bis Alabama Para
dise.. The Csti<sn is discontinued, and John
So Al