The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-30

the letter of the Secretary of State wout rpake
them. SIS
"They are either citizens, or they ara not
citizens. If they are citizens, then the ARA OF
this Government is long enough ans strong
enough to reach and protect them, in al their
lawful travels and undertakings, wherever they
NAV choose to go. If they are not citizens,
then they are exercising privileges toSTwAich
they are not entitled, and for which tae De-
mocracy have been under very many Sb.iga-
tons. Let that same Democracy nows d. ter
mine which horn of the dilemma they E5lk Sc
lect so far as their trusted chiefs and rep6nsi-
BILE agents are concerned, the questiob-'.$ al
ready settled.
But if they are still citizens or subfsst. of
France, Great Britain, Austria, Prussia i.aly,
Spain, Mexico, or other foreign States, --sssing
allegiance and service to the Powers Cf their
respective nativities, how can they be c-:iGns,
owing allegiance and service to our GOVERN
ment? No man can serve God andN1nam-
mon at the same time and how can any serve
two masters at once?
If there is another Government on eerth
that disclaimed the right to protect itj own
citizens in foreign land, have yet to agar of
the dishOnoring and disgraceful acknCSledg-
ment. This may be, as IL seems IL as, tie Goc-
trne Of the leaders of the Democratic party,
but it is not the sentiment of the Am9 can
people, and it is not the sentiment of that eeGch-
abused American party, which has beer- e6pe-
cially held up by the Democracy as the 1taemy
of foreigners in every shape. They may-tli ink
it judicious and wise to restrain, to soriie. ex-
tent, the too free extension of citizenship to all
who may hereafter seek our shores buss t1ey
have nowhere, nor at any time, proposes Aor
will they now cOuntenance the idea that Any Of
our adopted citizens shall be deprived s. sny
one of the rights they may have already ae-
quired. rs
" How many Of this class Of our citizeni nay
at this moment be travelling or solOurnszts in
Europe, having left their families, theirs 5Hsi
ness, and fortunes, at home, either on v sc to
their friends, or on tour of pleasure, 9. for
the transaction Of their ordinoary pursuitsyNhO
may under this most extraordinary declaration
of our Government, that IL may be done ioih
impuHity be dragged into the war now RAGING
in Europe, is a question that must interes. and
startle the nation and calls for promL and
unequivocal Reputation of sentiment that,
with all personal respect for the venerabt t5o3c-
rotary, must say, would establish pu&aaa-
nous and detestable doctrine, unworthy = She
American character, unworthy of the American
people, and especially unworthy Of this ~scaat
and powerful Government, and which in htin-
ciple involves a total surrender of all THAI P-as
contended for in the war of 1912. #Ce
my views on this question may be- thus
summed up. When one plants himself tlilcer
the protecting wing of the American Fasie,
which he has pledged and sworn to support
and defend, when he enrolls his name Gp2n
the ample folds of the stars and stripes o:%ths
great American Union, he is free to 90 H6tr-
ever the winds and waves may carry him3 tae
eye of that eagle watches over his every sgep,
that flag waves proudly over his head, wfe'sner
he is upon land or upon water, in a pala1s or
a dungeon and the Power that dares to 4sGr-
fere with his personal liberty, whilst he i en-
gagged in lawful enterprise, and not offers Ig
against the criminal or penal code of at
Power, dishonors that eagle, and disg5F IS
that flag, to which he appeals for his deHEg
ance, if it does not afford him prompt Fei3f
and redress"