Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-06-25

much argument in it as is essaycd to be con-
densed in the brief note We print above. 1t
was bat windy effort to play the demsgogue
and as such we treated it.
We proceed to answer the points made by
our correspondent, as follows. Viz:
j. The "use" Of taking out naturalization
papers, above and beyond the protection they
accord abroad to the naturslized citizen under
the laws Of nations as now acceded to by most
of the European Governments, is, that they
enable the nsturalized to hold real property
here, to participate in the Government, and to
enjoy various rights and privileges accorded
under Federal, State and local laws to citizens
only.
2 Under European laws, the fact that ma
tive of those countries elects to become citi-
zen Of the United States, does not operate to
exonerate him from the fulilment of his dues
(under the law TO the State (European) not
fulfilled or discharged at the time of his emil.
grafton. Wherever the jurisdiction of the
United States extends, the law protects all
American citizens alike; and, indeed, every
where.
J. The claim of European governments to
certain military duty on the part of all able
bodied males born their subjects, is there held
to be in the nature of debt due from the citi-
zen or subject to the State, in requital for gov
ernmental protection, &c. Such q debt could
not be due from native citizen of the United
States; and therefore the claim for its liquida-
ton could never be set up against him. But if
an American born person, while soiourning in
France, for instance, incurs a liability to the
Government, or even to a French citizen, and
leaving the country without discharging it, re-
turns subsequently, the United States would
have no lawful power whatever to interfere to
prevent the enforcement of the law Of the
realm in his case. Such cases arc of daily oc-
currence, in Paris for instance. Imprisonment
for debt is principle of law long since abol-
ished throughout the United States, except
where fraud may be alleged. Yet for fifty
years past native-born citizens of this country
have never failed to be grosning in French
prisons on account of their failure to pay debts
owing to French citizens, or 10 the French
Government-fnes, forfeitures, &c However
disposed to deprecate the continued existence
OF a law So barbaric in a land so enlightened rs
France, this Government has never dreamed of
interfering to protect its native-b born citizens
against the requirement of that European law,
simply because it has no right SO to do-not
because it would not do so gladly did it possess
such a right.
q. Our correspondent must excuse u5 for de-
eiaring his intimation that the Administration
seeks to "deprive" foreign born citizens of the
United States of their privilege to be un-
adulterated " bosh''-in fair keeping with the
sweeping allegations of Mr.. John Minor Bolts
In the same connection. The present Admin
istra;ion, as was the case with every ono Of its
predecessors Of all parties, has been and is
anxious TO conserve to foreign-bo born American
citizens all their privileges here and elsewhere
which law accOrds to them. From the founda-
lion ofthe Government until this hour, the en-
iargement OF those privileges to correspond
with the increased liberalism of the age has
been subject Of constant negotiation betweon
the United States and European Powers On
some points We have succeeded in thus ipduoipo
'hem to incorporate new readings of those priv |
lieges into their laws. On this particular
point no success has yet crowned the labors Of |
our diplomatists. Until that occurs-and no |
others can be more anxious than the present |
for that success-thc United \
States must, pcrforce, take the law of Europe |
as they find it; continuing to labor in the mean
while to effect its amelioration.
5. The cause of the war of 1872 was NOT on |
account of foreign governments effort TO ex
'cute Its own law, as old as civilization itself,
IN lts own soil; but on account of Britains
mort to enforce her law within the jurisdiction
u this Goyernment-on the decks of our ma
lonai vessels on the high seas, held by inter
iatlonai law as now recognized by every civil
zed government to be, wherever they may not
10 within marine league of the shore, within
he Jurisdiction only of the government whose
Tag floats at their mast's head.
o. The case OF kOzsta, as we explained some
lays ago, was not one in which a foreign GOV.
rnment sought to execute its own law ON ia
"n soii-to compel former subject to fulfil
mat the law required Of him before he expa-
riated himself. On the contrary. IL was a
ase IN which one foreign government sought
arrest within the jurisdiction of another
'reisn government, an individual charged,
OF with failing to discharge a debt due to
sell, but with political oGeRce-s rerson
no had subsequently acquired the right 10
he protection Of the government of the United
tales wherever under international law that
rejection could possibly be accorded.
In conclusion, We need hardly do more than
al the attention Of our foreign born fellow
tizens to the fact that the European law de-
anding military service from all able-bodied
ass born there, is common to- we believe,
u Tee governments Of the Old World; that IL |
''S existed ever since those governments them
"e' existed; and that ours is the only govern |
sH' 'hat has YET endeavored to break it's
rec even by negotiation) where it may work
upon the naturalixed citizen.
these iaeis Will doubtless serve to satisfy all,
ieept those disposed to end fault upon very
light grounds ir.deed, that the idea of er.
citing the view Of this Government in the
emises to be as ented to by the governments
the Old World merely because such is our