Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-07-01

naturalization have expairiated themselves, an
y without reference to our international law on th
subject; and under these laws there are many nun
dred thousand persons OF foreign birth who have
upon the invitation of our government, renounce
all allegiance to their native countries, and to al
other foreign Princes, Potentates, States, AM
Sovereigns whatever and have taken the oath 0
fidelity and allegiance to the United Statesj they
have been admitted into the American family a
adopted citizens have subjected themselves to thu
performance of military service in time of war, ant
liable TO be called on TO sacrifice their time conve
nience comfort, health and estate, TO neglect thei
families and business to hazard limb and life in pro
tectng the constitution and flag Of the country al
home abroad, on the high seas or in the enemies
own country and now, for the first time, the mon
strous doctrine has been announced from the highest
authority known to our constitution and laws, that
there is reciprocity in their compact that the OBJ
legations and sacrifices entirely on the part of
the foreigner and that the government will afford
him protection only whilst he remains on american
soil when he stands in need Of its protection and
when the laws would have furnished ample protec-
on for his person, without necessity for the renun-
citation of the land of his nativity; but when he
goes abroad even at the call of his government, in
defence of its honor its rights, he is liable if
captured, to be held and punished a feon and
traitor, and not prisoner of war; on the ground
that lie owes higher obligation of allegiance and
service to his native country than to that of his
adoption and that the trainers Of our Constitution
and the makers of our laws, have been guilty of the
gross and stupid absurdity of maintaining that we
can legitmatev consistently and intelgibly recog-
nze the Remuneration of allegiance, and the obliga-
ton TO observe il at the same moment of time
How is il possible for any man to bring his mind
to the conclusion that it is the policy of his govern
ment to require foreigner, upon oath, to renounce
an allegiance which it knows and acknowledges to
continue in existence, and that it has no will or
power to resist ? When, by the oath administered
they rcnounce all allegiance to every other govern
ment and particularly required to fenounce al
legance to that government of which they were
former subjects.
If this be the true construction of our laws of
naturalization then the those laws repealed
the better for all parties and especially for the for
egncT and those who have become cntangled in its
intricacies by renouncng all claims to the protec-
ton of one government without acquiring the right
to the protection of another, are, upon the ground Of
fraud entitled to general release from the obliga-
tions the laws themselves would prove to be pre-
cisely what Democracy is, and has of late years
shown itself 10 be- sham and imposition, a delu-
sion and cheat.
We all know the European governments gencr-
ally deny the right CT expatriation but we know,
at the same time that this government has never
recognized the tyrannical and despotc assumption,
and has, therefore, thrown vide open It's ports and
freely extended its in generous invitation to
the people of all countries to leave their native
homes and come among us, and avail themselves of
the blessings of free government; and if we had
ever acknowledged the claims and pretensions of
despotic rulers TO bind and chain down the will of
their subjects after they had passed beyond their u
risdicton, then he would be without excuse or JUS
tifcation in offering the benefits of naturalization
to any one and it is precisely because refused to
recognize such absurd demands that our naturalza-
ton laws had been enrolled upon our statute books.
When foreigner has complied with the provi-
sions of our law, and taken out his naturalization
papers, which emphatically declares him TO be "4 .
citizen Of tie United States Of .1nericd," he is as
much entitled to the protection of this government
as if he had been born upon American soil, and
within the territory and jurisdiction Of the United
States There is such thing known to, or CON
templated by the Constitution or the law as half
way made ctizen-a mere political machine for help
ing certain parties into power and then being cast
Off as so much drift wood on the shore such as the
letter of the Secretary of State would make them.
They are either citizens they are not citizens
If they citizens then the of this government
is long enough and strong enough TO reach and pro-
tect them in all their lawful travels and undertake
iugs wherever they may choose to go if they are
not citizens then they exercising privileges to
which they are not entitled, and for which the De-
mocracy have been under many obligations. Let
that same Democracy now determine which horn Of
the dilemma they will select; far their trusted
chiefs and responsible agents are concerned, the
question is already settled.
But if they are still citizens or subjects of France
Great Britain, Austria Prussia, Italy, Spain Mexi-
co, or other foreign States owing allegiance and
service to their respective nativities how they
be citizens owing allegiance and service to gov
ernmcnt2 "No man can serve God and MammOn
at the same time, and how can they serve two mas
tcrs at once. They are not only granted passports
to leave their own homes, with the full knowledge
and consent lin thousands of instances) of their
own government that they have no intention of re-
turning, but in many cases they are encouraged to
come, facilities are afforded them, they are sent
amongst us ms a portion of a redundant population
for whom they can find no employment, or of whom
they are glad TO rid themselves; and would it not
he a mOnstrous proposition after they have become
American citizens and had improved their cond-
ton and their business engagements should take
them abroad or they desire 10 make hast visit to
their Fathcrland they should be liable to be seized
upon and forced into the ranks of the English
French, Austrian or PrusSian armies for five years
military service, and if this service is due and
cOgnized by our own government as due why have
they not "a right to seize upon them wherever they
may be found for if the debt is still binding there
is ncitl er justice nor morality in attempt on our part
to deprive those governments of what they are just
ly entitled to.
II these is another Government ON the face of the
earth that discaims the right to protect its own
citizens in foreign land, have yet TO hear of the
dishonorng and disgnceful acknowledgment. This /
may be- as il seems Il is, the doctrine of the leaders
Of the Democratic party; but it is not the sentiment
of the American people and it is not the sentiment
of that much abused American party, which has
been especially held up by the Democracy as the
enemy Of foreigners in every aspect. They msy
think it judcious and wise to restrain TO cx-
tent the too free and liberal extension of citizen
ship to all who may hereafter seek shores; but
tl,,,-
will they now countenance the idea that any of our
adopted citizens shall be deprived of any of the
rights they may have already acquired, They have
perfect right ms all Others have, in casting their
individual votes in the selection of their represen-
tatlves to express a preference for whom what .
soeycr party they please but they have never pre-
tended TO claim for themselves amy degree of pro-
lection from their Government they do not accord
to the adoted citizen.
How mnnN of this class of onr citizens mnY nj