The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-06-21
Democrastc Protection 10 Naturai'
Ixea Citizens.


Ixea CItfsens.
The letter Of Cen. Cass, sent round the
country by telegraph q few days ago, in an
swer to an inquiry concerning the liabilities
OF foreign born citizens to be impressed into
the military service of the nation from
whence they emigrated, in case they returned
thither for any purpose, was received with
much surprise. The Administration, in view
Of its reception, has directed Secretary Cass
to explain its position upon that question
more exactly and at length. This Office he
has performed in letter which appears in
our columns this morning.
II will be seen that the Administration
does in fact occupy the ground which was
inferred from the brief note previously print
ed. The substance Of it IL this: whatever
"duties" or penalties" the foreign-born
citizen may have owed to the country from
whence he emigrated, at the time of emigra-
tion, such, for instance, as military service,
which 10 the matter under discussion,-if he |
voluntarily returns thither, he is liable to be
called upon to discharge, and this govern
ment will not inserpose for his relief.
That is principle which will not be at oil
gratifying to foreign born citizens, and it 10
a principle which will never be sanctioned
BY the American people. 1t is wrong, indie
fensble, outrageous. Our government has
consistently advocated the right Of men,
wherever born, in this country as we'll as any
other, to expatriate themselves. And that
and entire as it was voluntary. II that ex-
patrasion was complete, how could the per-
son still owe that qualified allegiance implied
by the obligation to do military duty? And
again, whoever 10 admitted under our laws to
the privileges of citizenship, is admitted to
as full and entire an enjoyment Of them, as
though he had been born in this country
The only exception is that specifically named
in the Constitution, whereby he is declared
ineligible to the Office of President or Vice
President. If entitled to all the privileges,
he is Of course entitled to equal protection.
His repatriation was complete; his naturali-
xation is complete. He 10 a German, an
lrishman, or any other countryman, no more.
He is an AMERICAN CITIZEN and wherever he
may choose to 60, on errands of business OF
affection or pleasure, the ~gis of our consti-
tuition and laws is bound to afford him no
merely nominal or inadequate protection
That 10 the doctrine Of our laws, and it is the
dnrtrine nf our paopia whetava. othn~ ~,
or principle may be set up by the emascula-
ted Democracy for the administration of the
government while il remains in their hands
Too many times and in too emphatic man.
ner have the American people declared their
sentiments upon that point. An instance
which occurred a few years ago will be fresh
in the minds Of all. The defence Of Martir
koszta against the claims of military servc
made by Austria, although he was not ye
fully invested with the rights Of citizenship
but had declared his bona fide intentions O
becoming citizen, which was preliminar,
proceeding in the act Of naturalization, an,
was deemed sufficient to entitfe him to th
full defence of the arms of this government,
was an act in which Secretary Marcy exhib
ted as much talent as in any other act OF b
life, and the one in which he justly game
the greatest measure Of popular applause
And not even General Taylor when he hewe
his way from Point Isabel back to For
Brown, or when with mere handful Of me
be scattered the hosts Of Santa Anna at Blu
ena Vista, performed feat which was NOR
heartily applauded by the American people
than did Capt Ingraham when, with watch i
hand, he announced that on the expirasio
OF 80 many minutes, il the foreign born cit
sen were not delivered up to his care, th
guns Of the Republic would be opened upo
their feet
The principle announced by the Admins
traton Is as pusillanimous as it is unju
and contrary to the spirit of our laws; an
they greatly mistake the temper Of the Anne,
lean people il they fancy it will be tolerate
we have heard some objurgations again
Know Nothings, in these latter days, for a,
vocating the extension OF the term Of res
denee prior to naturalization. But this new
tangled Democracy gravely and deliberate
asserts that man born in foreign counts
can never become as fully invested with Il
rights and immunisies Of citizenship as n
tive. The maddest Know Nothing in Il
iand never went as far as that, and never d
MED that man once made a e;t;yer 80.
Citizen indeed and in very truth. Yet nm
Is the doctrine Of the Cass- uch an an Pr
Slavery Democracy, Of which the country b
seen quite enough for its own reputation
welfare.
The EsAnrus