The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-06-21
Rishts Of Na,uralixed Citizens.

In speaking of this subject, the Detroit -id-
rertiser SAYS 1.-THE letter Of Gen. Cass to an
adopted citizen of Tennessee, who applied TO
the Secretary of State for a passport, with the
view TO visit Europe, informing him that his
naturalization in this country would not exempt
him from military service under the French gov
eminent, should il be demanded Of him, has Gre
ated considerable surprise, and lead TO no little
inquiry as 70 the value of American citizenship
10 adopted citizens. And well it may. If
that act does not confer upon those who avail
! themselves Of our laws in regard TO naturaliza
ton, the same right TO the protection OF our
government, abroad as well a. at home, that
native citizens possess, of what worth is it 3?
1t does not confer upon them equal privileges
with other citizens, and il il farce and impo-
elton.
| If the position of Gen. Cas- be correct that
American naturalization does not exempt a man
| from iDpressment or from military service I'M
der the government from which he has voluntarily
expatriated himself, and if our Government has
no right and no disposition, as he intimates, to
protec, him, no adopted citizen can visit his
mother country while she is at war. II this
doctrine be correct, too, we think with one OF
our cotemporaries, that all our 'palaver abOu;
the right OF search, when exercised upon our
vessels by British cruisers, for the purpose OF
capturing naturalizcd sailors OF English, Irish
or Scotch birth, is a most contemplate farce.
We supposed it had become a settled principle
-.
born citizen, is uaturalized and adopted as an
| American citizen, all obligations to his native
country ceased, that he thereby entitled himself
to all the rights and privileges OF, and to the
same protection as native citizens, and that every
energy of the Government must be eVertei 10
secure to him the enjoyment, everywhere, OF
| those rights and privileges. If this be not so,
on what ground did our Government almost in
yoIve itself ina war with Austria, for the release
Of Kozsta who, after beconir naturazed citi-
zen was seized while on a visit TO his native
country?
There seems to be an indSpOsition on the
part of the Secretary Of State TO assert the
rights of adopted citizens quite inconsistent
| with the boisterous professions of regard for
them which he in common with all other modern
democrats, has so constantly made. He very
cooIv tells the gentleman who applied TO him
for the passport, in halt dozen lines, that his
American naturalization will be no protection 10
him abroad or in other words, that our Govern
mcnt will make no attempt TO protect the rights
| which he supposed, and all adopted citizens sup
pose, they had thereby acquired, hut should
leave him to his fate. If the French Govern
/ ment should press him into the service, he would
have no ether remedy than 10 serve ont his term
like any other consciipt. So with the natives OF
any other foreign country who have become nat
| uralized. They must either remain where they
are or take their chance ol being caught hy the
recruiting sergeant. our Government can do
nothing for them. Mr. Webster is dead, and so
is Mr. Marcy, and General Cass is Secretary of
Statct