The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-07-13

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walls, and WHO had left before performing such
service, his frequently been the subject Of discus:
zion with some Of the European powers.
Quite recently 1t has arisen between the Omitted
States and Prussia, and the representative Of this
country at the Court Of Berlin has brought the
matter to the attention 0fte Prnssian Government.
In the instructions which were sent ID him, dated
Nav u, 1859, it Was explicitly stated that this
Government Is opposed to the doctrine ofperpetuaf
allegiance, and maintains the right Of expatriatioif
and tie rsh. to form new political ties elsewhere;
Upon this subject it is observed that in this age
Of the world, the idea Of controlling the citizen In
the choice of a home, and binding him BY mere
political theory to nhst fot his lifetime country
which he constantly desires to leave, can hardly DC
entertained By any other Government whatever"
The position Of the United States, as communicated
to the Minister at Berlin for the information ofthe
Prussian Government, is, that native-born Prus.
s:ans, naturazed in the United States and return
ing to the country Of steir BIRTH are not liable ~
any duties Or penalties, except such q wefe exist
ing at the period Of their emigration.
fiat that time they we,e in the army. Or actual
ly called into it, such emigration anu Naturalization
do not exempt them from the legal penalty which,
they incurred by their assertions; but thispenalty
may be enforced against them whenever they shalt
voluntariaily place themselves withinthe lccalja:
risdiction Of their native country and shall be
ceeded against according 10 law But when mo-
present liabilities exist against them, ct the period
Of their emigration, the law Of nations, IL the
opinion Of this Government, gives no right y any
country to interfere with naturalized American
citizens, and the attempt to do go would be cons
sidered an act unjust in itself and urfrndl towards
the United States This question catnot Of course,
arise in the case ofa nsturalized sitiSen who re-
mains in the United States. 1t is only when he
voluntarily returns to lis native country that its
local laws can be enforced against him.
lam, sir, your obedien. servant; n
LEWIS CAss.
The following letter was addressed to Pruasian
gentleman resident in California, BY our Minister
| in Berlin: B, Rs
Dear S;r:-Yours Of Feb Is before me. fou
are liable to 81 arrested anywhere in Prussia for
not performing your military service.
l do not believe that while residing in Bremen,
Hamburg, or any Of the free cities, they hsye the
right to take you. This, however, is.s disputed
question. thus fl, they have not been able 10
compel those cities to deliver for such offences.
AT this time efforts are making to REMEDY the
present state Of things growing out Of the claim Of
military service on citizens Of our country Americs
hope something will be done Witch viii meet
your case and others Of like character would
suggest the rropriety Of your presenting petition
setting forth your case, asking leave 70 return.
In that way you may obtain the views Of the Gov
eminent, aud determine whether'you win return or
!, not. shall be happy to serve you. ss..,
Yours respectfully; 5, !, 8.
The following letter from General Gushing, At!
torney General under President Pierce, published
in the Boston papers:
Bos1ox, 18th June. 1859.
i SlR-ln response to your inquiry Is % whss'
legal condition, you born in Turkey, aud 9 natu-'
rallied citizen Of the United States win have IN
Turkey during ! proposed sojourn there. ! stste
/ The laws Of the United States do NOS admit the
indeasibili.y Of natural alegiancs. The assertion
Of the right Of self expatraton y one Of the prn.
ciples Of the fundamental public NV Of the Amefi.
can Union. We hold that, the power 70 change
domcile is universal right subjece tosuch
conditions ~ may be requisite to reconcile the
general With individual interests These conditions
are the exercise Of good faith IN the time ana cir.
} cumstances and in the purpose Of the chhdge Of
domicil, the actual consummatiOn d. the purpose,
aud the discharge Of all Substituting obgationsin OF
to the country left. Such, according to my under
standing Of the matter altsys has been, and still
continues to be, the doctrine maintained BY the
!, American Government.
s II being material to'you, howevef, topossess OH
cial assurance on this point, have presented YOU
case to the notice Of the Secretary d State; and
have bis answer to the effect that inthe case Of
person emigrating to the United States, and Be
coming naturslzed here With no present liabilitis
to his native country military or other, existing
against him at The time Of his emiyratiosiD sucl
case, the law Of nations, Of the opinion Of the Anne
rican Government, gives no right 70 any forsis'
country to interfere With him. and the attempt u
do 20 would BE considered anact unjust in itself
) and unfriendly to the United Stasef.s
III And therefore, subject to the reseryatonsabs
stated, you win be entitled in Turkey to be regas
4 sdas citizen Of the United States.
Fam. respectfully 9. CusnIisc..
Mr. AEExASDER SlbI.
DExccaArlc DryisIoss.---We qaote Vie fs''sc~in
observations from the Boston Post !:
Democrats Of thy country may differ ID opinio