Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-06-18
Asron. .Housr.N.. June 1sth, lsl


edge the receipt of your letter of the llth, in
which you are pleased to ask my views on one
of the most important questions that can be
presented to the consideration of an American
Statesman, but in regarding me as the repre-
sentative OF the great conservative element Of
the opposition party in this country in connec-
ton with the next Presidency, you attach to
my position degree of importance which it is
not entitled to occupy.
The questions propOunded to me, involve the
transcendaqty lmnnrtant "s''1'90,a'iOn OF tne
relative and reciprocal duties of the citizen to
the government, and of the government to the
citizen; than which, no higher, more interest
ing or more important question could have been
suggested l shall nevertheless not shrink
from the delicate responsibility you have i'm
posed upon me, but proceed frankly and with
out reserve, TO answer your interIogatories to
the best of my judgment and capacity.
When first read the letter of the Secretary
of State, some ten days since, was infinitely
surprised, that a doctrine SO full of injustice
and outrage, Gas it appeared to me) should now
for the first time, as far as | am advised, be
put forth by the representative men of that
party which has heretofore habitually boasted
Of being the only friends to the foreigner who
seeks a shelter on our shores; and have been
still more surprised to find that doctrine 80
been more generally repudiated by the
public press ana / have been even still
more astonished that of the great number of
politicians and statesmen, who have always re-
| lied upon and received the aid of this element
so much coveted and caressed about the time
of popular election, not one should have step
ped forward to defend and protect the rights
of their felow-ctizens, to whom they owe SO
heavy weight of obligation and gratitude for
the places Of distinction that they hold by the
sufirages and support of the naturalized voters
of the country do not regret, therefore, that
through the kindness aud confidence implied
| by your letter, the opportunity has been so un
expectedly afforded me, who owes nothing to
that foreign element of which l have spoken,
and before which, as one of the American or
| ganzaton have been held up as an inveterate
enemy to all foreigners, Of becoming an early
and earnest advocate, defender and vindicator,
of great and eternal principle of justice and
Of truth.
By the Constitution of the United States, il
is declared that "Congress shall have power to
establish a uniform rule of naturaz ltion, -
that is 10 say Congress shall have power to
pass such laws as will, under the conditions
prescribed, confer upon persons born beyond
Il limits of the United States all the rights
and privileges of natural born citizens, or those
born ioithia the limits of the United States, ex
cept such, as by the Constitution, they are ex-
pressy excluded from.
In pursuance of this authority, Congress has
passed laws of naturalization, without regard
to the usdges regulations, or requirements OF
other governments from which those claiming
the benefits Of naturalization have expatriated
themselves, and without reference to our inter.
national law on the subject and under these
laws there are many hundred thousand persons
of foreign birth, who have upon the invitation
4 Of our Government, renouneed allegiance to
their native countries and to all other foreign
Princes, Potentates, States, and Sovereigns
whatever, and have taken the oath Of fidelity
and allegiance to the United States they have
been admitted into the American family as
adopted citizens have subjected themselves Ia
the performance Of military service in time OF
war are liable TO be called on to sacrifice theil
time, convenience, comfort, health, and estate
to neglect their families and business, to hazard
limb and life, in protecting the constitution
aud the flag Of the country at home or abroad
on the high seas, or in the enemy's country
and now for the first time, the mOnstrous doc
trne has been announced from the highest au
thorty known TO our constitution and la We
that there is no reciprocity in this compact
that the obligations aud sacrifices are entirely
| on the part OF the lOfelghefhi ana JhaJ the gov
! ernment will afford him protection only willis
he remains on American soil where he stand
J in no need Of It's protection, and when the law
} would have furnished ample protection for hi
person, without necessity for the Remuneration
Of the land of his nativity but when h
J goes abroad, epen at The call Of his goU
{ srnmsnt in defence Of It's honor or its rights
p the is liable, y captured, to be held and pun
shed as a felon aud traitor, ant not as pri'
: oner Of war, on the ground that he owes a high
e er obligation Of allegiance and service to hi
Q native country than TO that Of his adoption
aud that the trainers Of our Constitution an