The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-07-27
rypATRIATIoN AND NATURALIZATION.

made such iabored efforts TO analyze and explain
the ocAss Naturalization" doctrine, and 20
mystiaed and mixed up the subject with their
gross Misrepresentation, and unwarantable
constructions that many of our foreign popula-
ton are compelled to doubt the fostering care Of
Among the number the OHo,0a Weekly Clarion,
Of last week--having inhaled this republican
minsma--has caught tho disease, adding nnoth-
er to the eneryated ague and fever cases offalso-
hood and Misrepresentation that need purging
With the truth. We regret we have not room
to publish its editorial on that subject in full,
that It's ignorance or wilfull representations
might be exposed; but hoping that most of our
readers have been blessed with an opportunity
Of its perusal. we must be confined to a few ex-
tracts. After informing us how democracy had
fallen from grace, since Jefferson and Jackson
controlled its councils" 1t Gays cit has pro-
eeeded to the naturalized citizen and declared
him entitled to the rights of citizenship only so
long as he remains on the land OF waters Of the
United States Let him return to his native
land on business, even If it be public business,
connected with high official positions in this
country, he is liable to be seized, pressed into ar.
my service or made subject to any of the arbi-
trary laws of said land, and thecitizenship which
he had acquired by devotion 10 the interests of
his adopted country is no protection to him.
Democracy, as interpreted by Gen. Cass, and ma
sustained by the Buchanan administration, de-
mics TO such naturalized citizens that protection
Ohich il affords tote natice citizeaS."
Again, "And now doctrine is promulgated
by Gen Cass, Secretary Of State, which denies
the full rights and protection to all but those
who happened to be born in this country. This
excludes somo three million more inhabitants
from ever becoming citizens possessing the full
rights and enjoying the protection of consG-
tution they have sworn to support, and gov
ornmont to which they have declared their allie
glance and for which they have forsworn allie
glance to that of their native land"
Again, it has bleeding Kansas sympathy for
the foreign population of our eountry--for whom
the comments were evidently written to enlght-
en--as follows "In our county this line of
distinction will come with peculiar force. With
population composed Of nearly ono-half for.
eign-born, it will destroy, as long, at least as
democrats are in power, the feeling of equality
which all have hitherto enjoyed" And, off
there be man of foreign birth, after such a
grossnsult from the Democracy, will turn round,
nta1- Ito oh bo hy uhie
kicked--vote the Democratic ticket--it must
arise from objectionable ignorance or want of
that manly independence which should form tho
characteristic distinguishing the citizen from the
subjeet--the freeman from the slave"
So we say. But Let us present few facts to
remove the "unpardonable ignorance" of the
editor of the Clarion, who seems to be more in
need Of light upon this subject than our for.
eign born population"
The discussion Of this question has been bro't
up at present, by one Christian Ernst, native
of Hanover, and who emigratod to this country
in 1851, when he was about ten years of age.
He vas naturalized last February, and in March,
after procuring passport, went back to Hano-
yer on a temporary visit; after being in tho viii
lago where he was born, about three weeks, he
was arrested. taken to the nearest military sta
ton, forced into the army, where he is at the
present time unable 10 return to his family and
business, and compelled against his will to per
form military service.
We have before us an extract from the able
document Of our Secretary Of State, to our Min
lister at Berlin, in reference to this subject,
wherein reference is made to former dispatches,
in which our Minister was instructed to demand
he release ofsaid Ernst-the Clarioa's assertion
that our government affords no protection to the
country notwithstanding. Its length prevents
our publishing il entire in this issue. It's intent
and meaning is as clear and explicit as the Eng
fish language can make it; and lest there shield
be somo Misunderstanding, the duty of our gov
eminent is expressed with frequent repetition.
Gen. CAss soys, whilst these principles can
not be contested (the infection of the penalty
upon the transgressor for the violation of the
laws of tho nation to which he owes obedience, if
found within its jurisdiction) great care should
be taken in their application, especially to our
naturalizod citizens. The moment foreigner
becomes naturalzed his allegiance TO his native
country is severed forever. He experiences a
new political birth. lie is no more responsible
for anything he may say or DO than if he had
been born in the United States. Should he re-
turn to his native country, he returns as an
American citizen, and In no other character. In
order to enttlc his original government to pun
ish him for an offence, this must have been COM
mittod whilst lie was subject and owed allegi.
ance to that government. The offence must
have been complete before his oxpatriation. 1t
must have been of such n character that he
might have been tried and punished for it at the
moment Of his departure. A future liability to
serec IN The army Mill not be sufficient, because be-
fore the time can arrive for such service, he has
changed his allegiance and has become a citi-
ven Of the United States. II would be quite alb
surd 10 contend that boy brought to this coun-
try from foreign country with his fathers fam
ny when but twelve years of age, and natural
ized here, who should afterwards visit the coun-
try of his birth, where no had become man,