Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-07-21
Is a Citizen n Citizen.

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.-- Is Citizen a Citizen.
This may seem a qnecr question, but
really it is question, and one Of no slight
importance in these days of European
wars, and Democratic policy. Possibly
II the countries from which our emisrants
come were not at war, or il a party was in
power here which affirmed the rights of
citizenship to be always, and in all per-
sons, the same, it would be very queer
question. But since the Democratic party
has taken the ground that one class of cit
izens is entitled to no protection from
foreign oppression, while another class is
entitled to all the protection the country
can give them, the singularity of the qnes-
tion has disappeared, and now it is a serious
problem for statesmen to solve, as well rs
izen of the United States is citizen, or
not?" We honestly believe he is. Gen
cral Cass, and with him all the Democrat
ic party of whose opinion we have yet
learned, insist that he is not under certain
circumstances. When naturalized cit
izen returns to his native country he is en-
titled to no protection at our hands from
any obligation to his native government,
existing at the time of his emigration.
which that government chooses to enforce.
This is the Democratic doctrine fairly sta
ted. As a consequence of it any natural
lied citizen of Prussia, for instance who
emigrated between the ages when native
is liable to serve in the army, if he returns,
may be made to discharge that service in
spite of his allegiance to our Government.
Thus citizen is subjected to the possibi-
ty. in case of war. of fighting against his
own country, the Government of his choice,
of being guilty Of treason by orr laws, and
yet has nc remedy. So. too, in case of an
Austrian emigrant. In both countries laws
exist requiring all men to serve in the
army after a certain age, and, of course,
after that age an existing liability" is al
ways over them. If they emigrate at all
they must slip out from under it. leaving
it to fall upon them again the moment
they so back, and shutting them out OF all
claim on our help. In France the law
subjects every man after acrtain age to the
ehanee of military service, 'Conscripts,' -
as they are called, are taken by lot. A
! French ernigrant, therefore, If. no lot has
fallen upon him to enter the army, may
emigratc with no "existing liability" to
prevent him from going back if he wants
to. The protection which our Govern
ment may give It's ,natnralized citizens is
thus made dependent. not on our laws, bu,
on the local laws Of foreign nations. We
might, under this Democratic policy, in.
terfere to protect a French emigraut who
had not been conscripied, and who had
been seized, on his return. as soldier
but at the same time we could not inter
ferc to protect Prussian emigrant under
the same circumstances, because in. one
case the liability to serve had not been de-
termined, and in the other it is always de
termincd. 1t is absolutely, and without
any joke at all. a mere matter of chance
therefore whether we may not go, to wal
with France for doing just exactly what
we let Prussia do without any complain
at all. The Democratic doctrine thus in
wolves three great absurdities: 1st. That
it creates citizens to whom il denies tn.
rights Of citizens. 3D.. 1t permits ..tht
possibility Of citizen being guilty o
treason in spite of his own wish, and Of al
his efforts. Sd. Il makes the right of pro
tection mere matter OF foreign regulation
which. in two cases precisely alike. nigh,
leave us at peace with one nation, and
involve us in war with another.
Now we distinctly oppose any such doc
trinc. Leading to such uthcr abstrditie.
it cant be sound. But il there were M
logical difficulties in il, and only thost
which might appear in practice. we shoul,
spirit of our Government, There is bu
one ground IN this matter that can be, oc
cupicd consistently in all forms of Difficult
lty That is: "All citizens OF the Unite.
States. wherever they are, have the sam
. right to the probation of the Government.
; We do not say that citizens abroad shall
have the same protection as il. they were O
: home, for that is often impossible, bu
: but we do say that whatever protection
one citizen isentitlod to, oil should have
: IN o distinction" is our doctrine. All ar
E citizens at home. Let them be, equall
t citizens abroad. There is no reason, ,bu
: the resistance of foreign nations to il
: against this policy. and that resisianc
: would not be regarded moment in tn
! case OF a native citizen. Why should
! be in'case Of any other?. When we adnii
that local regulations. differing in differeh
E hcountries, sof, foreign Government ma
j qualify or destroy the rights of .our citizens
E we admit that citizenship here is not on
3 affair, but the creature Of she caprircs q
foreign! kings regulated -in- its extent an
J sacredness by, the various modes OF -tlrefl
ing soldiers, or demanding public sci
vices. that kings may choose to adopt
Now citizenship Is too. sacred right fo-b
s1eft at the nazard of such influence.
lout to Be whole and cor com iplefe. or Il ougt
to be at all. A-maimed and efnascr
lated citizenship is scandal. II pfotect
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