The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-07-21
The Csss Letter aud the Rights of Nstur-
allied Citizens.

The late letter Of Gen. Cas-, promalga-
ting the doctrine ofo Government as To the
rights Of our naturalized citizens in visiting
foreign countries, is likely to be productive
Of beneficial results, 10 that ii seems for the
first time TO have directed public attention
to this important subject. II must I've I'D.
mitted that the theory advanced by the
veteran Secretary, is not new 10 its applica.
ton TO cases similar 10 that Of Mr.. A. v.
HorgH, and has not its origin with himself,
but he has rather followed the precedents
which have been established for him by bis
predecessors in Office. And II Is subject Of
regret that the eve Of o Presidential election
should render il necessary for politicians to
substitute viDdictivc defamation against
the present Administration, for dispassionate
argument Of the theory advanced and in
attempting to attach some odium to the De
mocratic party, 10 lose sight Of any endeavor
TO apply the corrective TO what u vast
majority Of the Democratic party deem to
be an untenable theory. 10 this connec-
ton, II may be well To remind such OF the
opposition AZ Of late have been most prolific
In spread-eagIe harangues (e. &, j. NJ. Botts)
that the letter Of lien. Cas- conincid,s, sub.
stantially and minutely with similar episto.
larry documents promulgcd by Mr.. WEE.
TEH and Mr.. EVERETT. each as Secretary Of
State under the opposition administration
Of Mr.. FILLMORE. So the uniformity OF de.
cision In the Office Of Secretary Of State for
years gone by, we suppose, will relieve any
party Of this day from the charge Of being
the special advocate Of the doctrine In ques.
ton.
Now for o moment. let us consider the
doctrine itself. the position the Government
has occupied, aud then, as briefly as rossi.
bic. test the accuracy Of such position.
During the present complicated and be-
ligerent state Of affairs in Europe, it is nat
ural that our adopted citizens should desire
TO know what would be their political status
In the event OF visit TO the countries which
now are, or are likely TO be, engaged in war.
In reply TO letter Of some such inquiry,
Mr.. Secretary CAS- Is understood to have
written. In substance. that nsturalized ci,i-
zen Of tho United States, during temporary
sojourn abroad. would be entitled 10 al the
rights OF citizen of the United States in al
countries. save that Of his birth, and in such
country to nil Of such rights except in the
matter; IL any, Of any undischarged obliga-
tons, military or otherwise, to which he
may have been actually subject at the time
OF his original emigration; that in those
countries which claim the right to prescribe
the conditions under which subject or cit
izen may expatriats himself, or which alto.
ge,her deny the right OF expatria,ion, or in
those which claim Of oil their subjects or cit,
Gems certain years Of service to the State, a
naturalized citizen having cmigrated to
this country before discharge Of such obi
cation. which obligation, though its perform
sncc was not commenced, was still deemed
subsisting. will not be protected 10y this
Government on his voluntary return To such
country. That this is no new theory, but
has ever been acted upon by our Cover
eminent, the files of the State Department
will show ; and, therefore, we are gratilied
at the discussion which has lately arisen, rs
il will, in our judgment. lead 10 reversal
Of the former action Of the Department, and
for the reasons ,ha, we shall hereafter give.
But TO show what have been the views Of
the predecessors OF Gen. Cas-, We call a,tcn-
ton to the following letter written by Dan
isL WspsrER. whilst Secretary OF State.
under Mr.. FiLLNoRE, to J. b. NoNEs, OF
New York:
DEPARTMENT oF srtrx,
Wa HiSGros. June |, lisa.
Siwi have To acknowledge the receipt Of
Your letter To Mr., keddail, of the 9Th ultimo,
inauiting whether Mr.. Victor II. Depierte, a
native of France, but Q naiuraliKed citizen OF
the United states, can expect the protection OF
this Government in that country when proceed.
ing thithcr with q passport nom this Depart.
ment In reply, have To inform you that II.
a. i understood 90 he tho fact, tho Government
Of France does not acknowledge the right Of
natives Of that country 10 renounce their ale
glance, 1: may lawfully claim their services
When found within French jurisdiction.
am, sir. very respectfully,
Your obedient sers ant,
pANIEi. WEBSTER.
ToJ. II. NoNss, Esq. New York
On the 18th Of the same month, Mr..
WEBSTER wrote upon the same subject to
IaxAclo ToLKS, OF New York. as follows :;