The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-23
Is a NATURALIZED CITIZEN A CITI
ZEN3

Is a NATURALIZED CITIZEN A CITI
ZEN2
Until the brief note of the Secretary of State
dated Nav 18th, TO Mr.. Felix lie Clerc, Mem
phis, Tennessee, made its appearance, we had
supposed that what are called the naturalized
citizens Of the United States were citizens to
all intents and purposes. We had taken it fol
granted, that as their obligations to the coun
1rv are eoextensive with those of native citizens
so their rights and privileges are placed on the
same footing. But it seems that we were en-
tirely mistaken. Our opinion, or, rather,
our conviction; was founded upon the memo
rable letter Of General Casss predecessor, Mr..
Marcy, addressed to the Austrian Minister, in
relation TO the Koszta affair. In that letter the
high ground was taken, that not only naturaized
citizens, but those who have declared their in
fention of becoming citizens, or who have &C
ouired domicil in the United States, are en-
titled to ample protection from the Federal Gov.
eminent while travelling abroad. Mr.. Marcy
insisted that this doctrine was not new; that it
was wel-settled principle of the law of nations
and that it was founded upon the equity of guar
antying protection to those from whom ale
glance is due. The foreigner who has declared
his intention upon oath of becoming a citizen,
OF who has resided in the country long enough
10 ACQUIRE a domicil, is held to all the obliga-
1ions of citizenship. His property is subject to
taxation. and he may be called upon to perform
military duty. He is therefore entitled to pro-
gection, not only while he remains in the couR
1ry. but during temporary absence in foreign
countries. Such i. the statement Of the late
Secretary Marcy, in State paper which met
with unqualified endorsement from all parties
in this country at the time Of its appearance
We propose to extract portions of this ictter
Of Mr.. Marcy. in order to exhibit the striking
contra st it affords to the letter of General Cass
10 Mr.. lie Clerc. This letter we have heretofore
published, but reproduce it, in ordOr that the
reader may see we have not misrepresented its
contents:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, May II, 1859.
To NJ FIir lie Clerc, Memphis, Tenn:
SIR: Your letter of the 9th instant has been
received. In reply have to state that it is un-
derstood that the French Government claims
Il
NAV be found within its Jurisdiction. Your
naturalization an his country ioW not exempt
you from, that claim, u you should ro|mtdriiy
repair Hiher.
am, sir, your obedient servant,
LEWIS CAss.
II will be seen that, according to this letter
from the Secretary OF State, complete naturali-
cation is no guaranty of protection man ma !,
have been a naturalized citizen for twenty-one
years; he may have married an American
woman, and reared family he may have served
his country in peace and war-and yet that coun-
try will not protect him against the conscription,
If he should think fit to visit one of the despotic
countries of Europe, as every American gentle.
man "to the manor born " may do with the
most perfect impunity. The proud title, " / am
an American citizen" is no password to the
naturalized citizen. He may be Chief Justice
of the United States, Senator representing
one of the States, a Governor of a State, Cab
met Minister, a gallant officer of the army; but
he has no security against the ignominy of be-
ing enrolled as a common soldier in the service
of France or Austria
This brief note of General Cass speaks vol.
unes. II shows the emptiness and vanity OF
Democratic professions. That party has
for years been scarcely more distinguished for
Its subserviency to the Slave Power, than for its
truculency TO foreign Governments and we
must add, that General Cass himself has kept
IN advance of all his compeers in his defiant
attitude, particularly towards England. The
same party has been equally remarkable for the
violence Of its love for our foreign-born fel
low citizens" Their rights were held to be a
least equal TO those of natives, and, about cleo
ton time, they have had the preference Wher
Know Nothingism threatened to sweep the coun
try, and when the foreign Government which
menaced the rights of mere inchoate citizen
was Austria, country without a navy, on
Sham Democracy justified forcible resistance
But when Louis Napoleon, with navy man
times larger than ours, musters an American
citizen, perhaps a Governor or Senator into hi
service, as a common soldier, the America
eagle droops its wings, and acknowledges it
inability TO afford relief or protection Ala,
what humiliation What would General Jacl
son have said in such case?
Koszta. He was born a Hungarian subject {
Austria, and in 1882 he took an active pal
IN the revolutionary effort to detach Hungar
from the despotic control of Austria. At tn
close Of that gallant but unfortunate struggl
he with gossuth and many others, took refuq
in Turkey. The despot of Austria demande
them as fugitives from justice, but Turkey r
sisted the demand, snd kept them confined f
some time at Kutahia. At length, with IL
consent of Austria, they we're permitted to G
into Punishment to this country or WesteI
Europe, on condition of never returning
their native land. Koszta came to the Unite
States, and declared his intention, on oat
before a proper tribunal, to become a citizel
After remaining here nearly two years, he ha
occasion to visit Turkey on business he sale
in an American vessel, claimed to be an Anne
lean citizen, and on arriving, he claimed II
nrotection of the American Consul at Smyrn
After some hesitation, the Consul granted hi
what is termed in the Turkish language
Tezkereb, or certificate of protection and
was under these circumstances, while kosz
vas waiting an opportunity to sail for the I'm
ted States, that he was seized by a band of lay
less .afians; without any warrant OF law, ar
thrown into the sea. He was immediate