New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-06-18

AsroR House., New-York, june 10, 1859.
GENrLraES: have che honor 20 acknowledge the
recent of your letter of the lh inst; in which you
are pleased to ask my views one OF the most i'm
portan quest that be presented % the consid
Grafton of ALI Ame rican Statesman, but in regarding
me as the represent alive Of the great conservative
element of the Opposition party in this country in
connection with the next Presidency You attach to
my position degree OF Importance which it is not en-
titled to occupy.
The questions propounded to me, involve the trans
cendeny important consideration Of the relative and
reciprocal duties of the citizen 10 his Government,
and of the Government to the citizen than which, no
higher, more interesting, important question could
have been suggested. shall nevertheless not shrink
from the delicate responsibility you have imposed
upon me, but proceed frankly and without reserve,
TO answer your nterrog to the best Of my judg
melt aud capacity
When first read the letter of the Secretary of
State some ten days since was infinitely surprised
that doctrine so full of Injustice and outrage las it
appeared to mel should for the fret time, as far
a. am advised, be put forth by the representative
men of that party which has heretofore habitually
boosted of being the only friends the foreigner who
seeks shelter our shores, and have been still
more surprised to find that a doctrine full Of nov
repudated by the public press and have been still
even more astonsbed that of the grea, number Of pol
itcian- and statesmen who have always relied upon
and received the aid Of this foreign element mnch
coured and caresssd about the time Of popular cleo
ton, not should have stepped forward to defend
ard protect the rights Of their TO whom
they owe 80 heavy a weight oil obligation and graft
tude for the places Of distinction that they hold, by
the ssrages and support Of the naturazed voters Of
the country.
do not regret therefore that through the kindness
and confidence implied by yonT letter. the opportunity
has been 20 Unexpectedly afforded me, who owe
nothing 20 that foreign element Of which have
spoken, and before which, Of the American or
gsnization, have been beld up as an nyeterate
enemy 10 all foreigners OF becoming Gn early and ear
NJ t advocate defender and y.ndeaOr If great and
eternal principle Of justice aud truth
BY the Constitution Of the United States il IL de-
clared that Congress shall have power to establish
81 uniform rule of raturazstion;' that is TO say,
Congress shall have power n pass such laws s. will,
under the conditions prescribed confer upon psrsons
born beyond the limits Of the United States all the
rights and privileges Of natural born citizens or those
born within the limits Of the United S,stes, except
such a. by the Constitution they are expressly ex-
Guided from. In pursuance Of this authority, Con
gress has passed laws Of naturalization without re-
gard TO the usages, regulations or requirements Of
other governments, from which those claiming the
benefits of Naturalization have eIpatriated themselves
and without reference To any international law the
subject; and under these laws there many bun-
bred thousand persons Of foreign birth who have,
upon invitation Of government renounced all a.
egance 70 their native countries, aud TO oil other for
eign Princes POtentstes, States, or Soveregnties
whatever and have taken the oath Of iety and a.
legaDce the United States; they have been admit
ted into the American family adopted citizens; have
service in time Of war; liable 10 be called upon ~
any time to sacrifice their time, convenience, comfort
health and estate; ~ neglect their families and bu5i
LEES; 20 hazard limb and life in protecting tbs Cons
tuition and flag Of the country Q, home or abroad
the high seas or II the elemys country; and for
the fret time, the mopsrous doctrine has been
bounced from the highest authority known to Con-
stu,iOn and sws that there il reciprocity In this
compact that the obligations and sacrifices entirely
on the part Of the foreigner, and that the Government
will afford him protection only, while he remains upon
American soil where he stands in 20 need Of it, pro-
lection, and where the laws would have furnished
ample protection 70 mis- person without the necessity
for the Remuneration q the land Of bis nativity; bot
when be goes abroad eren al the call II has GOceyn-
<nt il defense If its honor its rights, be il liable,
j captured, TO be held ard pnnshed q feon and 9
traitor, and not prisoner OF war, on the ground
that he higher obligation Of allegiance and
service to his native country than 20 that Of his afop
ton, ard that the trainers Of Constitution and the
makers Of laws have been guilty If the gross and
stupid sbsrrdify Of maintaining that We can iegit-
iatey, consistently and intsEgbly recognize the
nuneation Of allegiance, and the obligation 70 observe
a the ss,pe momept Of time.