The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-16
MIR. BOTrs' REPLY.

Mk- BUTTS hEPLY.
AsroR HOUSE, NEW YORK, June Is, 1859.
GKNTIKxEN-I have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cep your letter Of the llth which you are pleased
10 ask my views Of the most important questions
that be presented TO the consideration Of an Ameri
can statesman but in regarding the representative
Of the great conservative element of the opposition party
in this country, in connection with the Presidency
you attach to my position degree Of importance which
perhaps, 1t Is not entitled to occupy.
The questions propounded to involve the transcen.
IDENTIFY important consideration of the relative and reci
procal duties Of the citizen his government and of the
government TO the citizen; than which, higher more
Interesting or important question could have been sug
gested shall nevertheless shrink from the delicate
responsibility you have imposed upon me- but proceed
frankly and without reserve 70 answer your nterrogato
ries 70 the best of my Judgment and capacity.
When first read the letter Of the Secretary of State
come ten days since, was infinitely surprised that
tine go full Of injustice and outrage las appeared
me) should nov for the arst time as far as am ad
vsed be put forth by the representative of that
party which has heretofore habtualy boosted OF being
the only riends TO the foreigner who seeks shelter
shores; and l have been still more surprised
10 find that doctrine 80 full Of novelty and error
should not have been more generally repudiated by
the public press and have been even still more
ssonsbed that o! the great number OF polti.
Cans and statesmen who have always relied upon
and received the aid of this foreign element much
coured ana caressed about the time OF popular election
not should have stepped forward to defend and pro-
tect the rights OF their fellow citizens, TO whom they
u
places OF distinction that they hold by the SURFACES and
support of the naturazed voters Of the country DO
regret therefore, that through the kindness and cent
dence implied by your letter the opportunity has been
unexpectedly afforded me-who nothing TO that
foreign element of which have spoken and before which,
OF the American organization, have been held
as pveterae enemy to all foreignersof becoming
early and earnest advocate defender and vndcaon OF
great and eternal principle Of justice and Of truth.
BY the constitution of the United States is declared
that "CoDgess shall have power TO establish uniform
rule Of is to say Congress shall have
Ua uut Nha ttfono
ecrbed confer upon persona born beyond the limits Of
the United States all the rights aud privileges of
born citizens, or those born within the limits of the Unit
cd States except ouch by the constitution they
pressly excluded from. In pursuance Of this authority
gard 10 the usages regulations requirements other
governments from which those claiming the benefits Of
naturalization have exoatriaed themselves and without
reference TO any international law on the subject and
under these laws there several hundred thousand
persons of foreign birth who have, upon the in
eiance to their native countries and to all
other foreign princes potentates states sovereigntes
Whatever and having taken the oath Of fidelity and ALE
glance TO the Uua States they have been admitted into
the Amerc thht adopted citizens have subjected
themselves to the performance Of military service time
OF war; are liable to be called upon to sacrifice their time,
convenience, comfort, health estate neglect their
families and business, to hazard limb and life In protect
abroad the high 10 Inc enemies country; aud
DOW, for the FL 81 lime, the monsrous doctrine has been
announced from the highest authority known to
sution and laws, that there is no reciprocity in this
compact that the obligations and sacrifices entirely
on the part of the foreigner and that the will
afford HIM protection only whilst he remains upon Aueri-
can soil where he stands in no need Of is protection and
where the laws would have furnished ample protection
his person without necessity for tho Remuneration of the
land OF mis- nativity. But when he goes abroad at
tho call OF his government in defence OF its honor it's
rights he LIABLE captured, to be held and punished
as felon and traitor, and not prisoner of war,
the ground that he owes higher obligation of allegiance
and service TO his native country than to that OF his adop
makers Of our laws have been guilty Of tho gross and
stupid absurdy of maintaining that legitimatey
consistently and intelgiby recognise the Remuneration Of
allegiance and The obligation TO observe at the
moment Of time
Elbow Ia ii possible for AIRY to bring his mind to tho
that the policy OF this government 10 re-
quro foreigner upon OATH to repounce an that
it knows and acknowledges to continue in existence and
that has no will or power 10 resist and wnen by the
oath administered they not only renounce allegiance to all
other Powers bat particularly required TO
allegiance to those governments Of which they were former
subjects.
II this be the true construction OF our laws Of
naturalization, then the sooner these laws are 70
peaed the better for all parties, and especially for
the foreigner; and those who have become entanged
in its ntricaCies by renouncmg all claims TO the pro
lection Of one government, without acquiring right
70 the protection Of another are, upon the ground OF
fraud entitled 10 general release from the obligations
they have assumed the laws themselves would prove
TO be precisely what democracy s has Of late years
SHOWN ITSELF W be-a sham and imposition deuson and
cheat.
We all know that the European governments generally
1eny Inc right OF expaation, but know at the sat
Nme thas tne government never recognized the yran
nical and dopotc assumption has therefore thrown
oui iEotiy eXteOOeU It's arms n gen
erous invitation 70 the people of all countries the
native homes and come among US, avail themselves
the blessings Of free government we had over &C
knowedged the caa and pretensons OF despotc ruler
70 bind and chain down the will Of their subjects afte
they had passed beyond their jurisdiction then we should
have been without justification Offering tn
benefits OF naturalization 10 any, and 1t s precisely be
cause refused to recognise such absurd demands tina
our naturalization laws have been enrolled upon sta
tute books.
When foreigner has complied with tho provisions o
our laws and taken out his naturalization papers, which
emphaNcany declare him To BE- citizen Of the Unite,
Ststes OF America, he Is entitled TO the protec
zion OF hs veument % IL he had been born upon Anne
rcan ecM and within the territory and Jurisdiction of tn,
United states; there no such thing known conten
plated either by the Constitution law a. halfway
sitizena mere political machine for helping certain par
ses INTO power AND tnen being cast of much drift
wood the shore euch tho letter OF the Secretary
State would make them.
They are ehcr citizens or they arc not citzens