Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-07-06

citizen returns to his native land, where b e
parture, he may be punished or forced to serve
in the army there, and no relief would be ex-
tended TO him-no protection afforded him by
our Government If this is the case, then
naturalization here does not absolutely and en-
trely dissolve the bond which obliged the "a
lien to serve the sovereign in the land OF his
birth; he is only safe, if any personal liabili-
ties existed against him when he left, so long
as he remains out OF tho monarch's jurisdic
ton he owes involuntarily service to two
Governments at the same time; and in the
event of war between the United States and
his native country, he might, while serving
with one, if taken prisoner by the other, be
hung as traitor. We contend, whether it is
the law of nations or not, that this country
should declare that all her citizens shall be
protected from insult or oppression, wherever
found under the broad canopy of heaven, un-
less il be in the case of naturalized citizen
voluntarily returning to the country where,
prior to his expatriaton, he had committed
such offence as, under treaties relating to
extradition, would have made it incumbent
upon our Government to deliver him up.
In taking the position he does, Gen. Cass
comes in contact with the views entertained
| in the case of the Hungarian, koszta, who was
seized by an Austrian brig of war at Smyrna,
in Turkey, after he had declared his intention
to become citizen of tie United States, when
| Secretary Marcy took the ground that natu-
| ralization here entitled the adopted citizen to
| complete protection by the Government. 1t
also conflicts with the action taken in the case
| of NJ. Allibcrt, who had been drawn as con-
script in 1889, left France, and was natural
lied here in 1915. When he returned to that
country in 1852 he was arrested as an escaped
| conscript. The American consul at once took
his case in hand, and after two trials, and a
detention of six months, procured his release.
Mr.. Everett, then Secretary of State. recog
nized the course of the consul as correct, and
expressed the desire that this might be con-
sidered precedent, and that sshereafter natu-
ralized citizens of the United States may visit
| France without danger of arrest for military
| seryice.'' This was under Mr.. Fillmore Ad-
ministration, but according to Gen. Cass' dem
ocratic doctrine, M. Allibert would have been
subject to arrest, and no protection should
| haxe been extended TO him by our Govern
ment.
And now few words about the allegation
| of the editor of the Republican that we have an
ssirresstible habit" of s'misconstruing facts"
| Well, that is bad enough, if true; and very
kind of him to tell the people-indeed, we are
| pleased to hear that one Locofoco editor, at
| least, is opposed to lying, and we hope he will
! stick to it. We don't feel offended at him for
! saying such very seyere things; it may be a
sshabit'' of his, when he is hard run for an ar
gument-and we do not apprehend that our
reputation will be seriously damaged in those
| quarters where his delectable sheet may hap
pen to circulate regularly. If, however, what
he alleges were correct, in order to sustain
the character he gives US, we would have to
say that has is the most truthful, high-toned,
honorable and respectful paper in the State.