The Nevada journal., 1859-07-22
Friday Morning. July 22d, 1859.

GEN. CAss AND NATuRAtIzATioN-
lie letters Of Gen Cass on the rights OF
IsturalIzed citizens are producing mucl
lscussion. We can scarcely step int.
se street without hearing knot of in
lviduals giving their opinions on the ma
'ralization question. Noisy debatesare
yerywhere TO be met with. The ques-
N at issue is an important ore, invol-
ing nothing less than the right of ex
/ atriation-a right which our govern,
h lrnt has on all occasions heretofore.
neqnivocally favored, but right
-hich many &C the European states a.
lairly deny. "a Briton once, Britor
h ways" has been the doctrine of the
l. ourt of St. James, while on the other
aud Gov Marcy plainly and forcihly
Il rs down the contrary in the Kozta
ease as the rule of action for the Amer
\ 2an government We combatted the
!, british doctrine in the war 1872 We
Il ave ever since. up to the penning of the
| ,ate letters of Gen. Cass, strenuously
ehein'ained the right of the citizen to
rhange his nationality. The American
e}ecretary of State seems to reverse the
eoctriue of his government and accede to
! tahe European maxim. At least he
[rrirgs up an old question for discussion
We had always supposed that between
a'ur government and the foreigner re-
bouncing his allegiance to his native
sud to solemniy assume the position oi
| IN American citizen, existed CERTAIN
y1utuai obligations. binding upon the one
p well as npon the other. 1t has been
lie proud beast of American citizenship
.!lat tie adopted, saving and excepting
,he restrictive clause in our constitution
which debars foreigner from the Pres
deney, is entitled to every right ard
snmunity of the native born. 1t has beer
Understood that by the compact of natu-
calization,in consideration of renouncias
ilegiance to foreign government and
wearing fealty to our ow. ,'he obligation
IN our pat was protection. Allegiance
| nd protection are the mutual oil CATIONS
assumed in the act Of natulaliz ,tion. Fol
.hat does the foreigner dissolve the
ponds TO lis native land if he gain moths
pg by the actl When the foreigner
hxes upon himself the rights of an
american citizen he is bound to peifnrm
{he duties of one also, and among other
uties that of bearing arms. 1t isabsurd
b suppose a man owes military service
b two governments at the same time.
iuppose we enrol raturalized Iris!-
pan in our army to fight against Great
britain. and suppose he were taken
risoner and itary service claimed of
sm as due to the country that gave him
irth. In case he is found bearing arms
Gainst us is he not adjudged guilty Of
eason by our lawsl
Gen. Cass would reverse the whole
lmerican theory of naturalization. W.
hught with Great Britain in 1912 be,
ause she presumed to compel natural
:ed American citizens of whom she
aimed service as British born subjects.
, serve in her navy. We defed the
iouse cf Hapsburg when we snatched
laltin Kozta, who had only declared his
tentions of becoming an American
itizcn, from tie clutches of Austria.
We have proudly announced that the
merican citizen may wander through
iany lands panopled with his counrry'S
ag. Wehave boldly spoken in the face
f power,-Touch not the hair of an
american head to Do it wrong or navies
nd armies will demaud redress, if needs
. at the cannou's mouth. Mr.. Cass
Ills us the native born American citizen
ay 20 abroad and rely on the arm of his
overnment for protection, out he who
as sacrificed the country of his biIth
nd her nationality, who has renowned
llcgiance to the sovereign power under
hich his ancestors and nation acquired
enown, for the privileges Of an Ameri
In citizen, must re. revisit the scenes Of
IS youth. must not go to plead with his
Endred in person the merits of America
hd persuade them to come with him that
he last tie to fatherland may be scver-
d to minge their blood with American
lood forever.
TO the adopted citizen these privileges
re denied by the American government
Ehile in the height of its power. For
igners. you are Foreigners still. Amer
ans, the Anne re an flag does not shield
on, swearing allegiance to the great Re-