The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-04

IMPORTANT DEcrsIOS-RIGHTs OF AMERICAN
CITIZENS or FOREIGN BIRTH IN THEIR NATIVE
LAND.-A case Of great importance to Ameri-
can citizens of foreign birth from the continent
of Europe, and particularly France, has just
been decided by the French tribunals. A ma
tive of the department Of the Lower Rhine,
named Michael Zeiter, emigrated, while yet a
boy, to the United States, where he became q
naturalized citizen at the proper time and in
due form of law. In France his name had been
enrolled for CONSUMPTION on the register, and
when he reached the age Of military service the
lot fell upon him to serve. Being absent, the
police were directed to seize him whenever they
might find him. An opportunity at length pre-
sented itself Zeiter, little dreaming what was
in store for him, returned to see the spot where
he first drew breath. 1t was at Weissenberg.
Mr. Faulkner, our Minister at Paris, demanded
his release as a right on the ground that there
was no service due from him at the time of his
emigration, and that, having renowned his allie
glance to France and sworn allegiance to
the United States, France has now no claim
upon him. and his undivided allegiance is due
to the land of his adoption. The French Tribu
nal, under the direction perhaps of the Empe-
ror, has pronounced in favor of the claim of our
Minister, and Zeiter has been discharged.
This case is highly important, as the release
of the prisoner was claimed as right, and it
will therefore serve as precedent, not only IN
France, but on the continent Of Europe gene
rally, and may save this country from much
trouble, if not actual war, hereafter; for never
could the American government permit its ma
turalized citizens to be carried off In the manner
in which Zeiter was abducted, no matter what
consequences should ensue. In 1872 this couu-
try went to war with England for forcing Anne
rican citizens Of English birth into the British
navy, and it cannot permit any other nation to
trample on the rights Of our natuIalized citizens
after the same fashion
Some spurious cases have been presented for
the consideration of our government which diff
fered materially from the present, and
which did not warrant the interposition
of diplomacy cases in which persons ac-
tually owed military service at the
time of emigration, and escaped to
avoid the payment of the debt, which.
however, like any other debt, still hung over
them, notwithstanding their renunciation of al
legiance to the government under which they
were born. On the return of such persons to
their native land they have been arrested and
our government could not interfere.
Mr.. Buchanan's administration has done much
more than any previous government to uphold
the rights of American citizens of foreign birth
in their native land. The trouble has chiefly
arisen In the matter of CONSUMPTION, of the COM
pulsory service of the citizens of European
countries in the army and navy. Sometimes it
has occurred in Germany, and sometimes in
France. In England il cannot occur, because
there is no CONSUMPTION or impressment there in
time of peace, Or even in small wars. Ireland
and Scotland hitherto have proved sufficiently
fertile recruiting grounds for voluntary enlist
ment to fight the battles of Old England at a
shilling a day. How it will be hereafter, in
consequence Of the depopulation of those coun-
tries by emigration, is another question. Mean
time compulsory military service, not merely in
the militia, but in the regular army, prevails
decision, therefore, of the French Tribunal is
one Of great interest, not only to naturslized
citizens, but to the country at large, and to the
government, which might at any time find itself
involved In a war with one or more of the
powers of Europe had a different principle of
International law been insisted upon by the
French government.