Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-13
APFAERs IN RICHMoND.
THIS 1EorsrArIos OF oosoEsss WITH RESPECT TO FOR


THR LEGISLATION OF CONGRESS- WITH RESPECT TO FOR
ETGNERs.
An error very generally prevails in the eommu-
nifty to the effect that the act of Congress- approved
9Th August, 1861, respecting alien enemies emit
ties those taking the oath of allegiance required
der its provisions to constitute themselves citizens
of the Confederacy. This is a very wide mistake.
The single intention of the act referred to was to
enforce the removal of aliens beyond the limits Of
the Confederate States, by g right Of common au-
thorty not only in the international codes but in
the practice of nations in state of war.
IL ia clear that the taking by aliens Ct the requisite
oath Of allegiance, merely avoids the penalties Of
the law which requires it, and entities the subscri
Der to nothing more than friendly residence IN
the South Ii does not constitute him citizen The
Confederate Government, in another snd subsequent
law, distinctly recognizes the only subject Of nat
uralizatOn such few aliens as are enlisted IN the
service of its armies.
Congress- at its late session. passed three organic
acts with reference foreigners, each distinct IN
its scope and operation the first being an act for
the removal Of alien enemies under the common
rights of international law and custom the second
limited naturalization law the third q law for
the sequestratiOn of alien property found within the
political jurisdiction of the COnfederAcy.
So far the legislation Of Congress has extended,
the priv lege of naturalization is confined to foreign
ers (Includng this term Yankees, or eOurse,)
tually engaged in the military service of the Con-
federaey No other contribution of service and no
rights and franchises Of Southern cit Zsnship.
Il is obvious that, under the naturalization law of
Congress, question of considerable difficulty arises
to the status of those Yankee immigrants other
foreigners who were, at the dates Of the ordinances
of secession Of the respective States IN which they
were resident citizens OF the same under the eOnd
tons Of naturalization in the old Government This
question must be a subject of adjudication in the
failure of explicitness in the terms Of the law.
A case in point has already arisen in the G. s.
- H.1I
ton, where, on information against the property
of alien enemy the point has been raised by the
respondent thst he was at the date Of the passage
Of the ordinance of secession OF South Carolina, a
resident citizen of that State, ano therefore his
property is not liable to be seqHescered that of
an alien enemy. The question, however, in many
cases, is likely to be involved with that Of the fact
of extrpatiOn by the circumstance Of residence or
to q certain degree the acts or Intentions Of the
party. Under any circumstances, 1t is q judicial
question for determination by the courts.
The point is one Of grave and extensive import
ance in the construction of the sequestratiOn act.
The matters brought in issue under this act must
present, besides this point. complicated questions
which lie at the foundation of all residence and
citizenship appealing to the courts as the common
arbiter and judge.
WINTER CLOTHING FOR THE ARMY.
The Government Clothing bureau under the eff
Gent direction of Major Ferguson, is already sup
pying the army with early lois of winter clothing
to the extent of its facilities Eight thousand over
coats have already been supplied 90 single DIV $40
Of the army in Western Virginia. The stTerIue'
of the weather in the mountains are reported TO De
extraordinary, there having been several 81 or
spells of freezing weather. with appearance Of Ice
in the vicinity Of General Lees eneamPment
The same difficulties TO which we referred some
time ago as hampering the operations of the Cloth
ing Bureau, in the competition CT unscrupulOus
traders still exist and are likely we understand, to
be made the subject of stringent measures on the
part Of the War Department. Where contractors
have been induced to abandon their contracts with
the Government, by the intermeddliDg of speculs
tors the Department has determined not to hesitate
to impress the fulfllment of their contracts Some
of the Fredericksburg cloth contractors have al
ready it is stated been affected by the speculatiOns
of merchants, but will be very properly impressed
under theorders Of the Government az TO observe
good faith towards il.
Indeed the policy of impressing the cotton mills
and wooden manufacturers into the public service
is not q remote one, and may, in fact, become &
speedy necessity should the speculatiOns Of traders
in soldiers clothing be carried to further extremi-
ties.
We are pleased 70 understand that the War De-
partment has already evinced wise interest in the
supply of winter clothing for our soldiers, by
detailing from the army operatives 70 be emp Dyed
in a number of the cloth factories. THIS arrange
ment, by itself, is an excellent one, and would be
productive of the best results but for speculative
intermeddlings which secure the work of even the
Governments operatives for the traders.
This infamous speculation against the Govern
ment has been in q good measure produced and
fostered by an unfortunate and very errOnsous law
of Congress Instead of the Governments supplying
the soldiers clothing. it is committed for so much
money. The Clothing Bureau does nothing more
than offer facilities the army for the purchase Of
its clothing and it does at prices below the limits
of the six months Communication But the soldier Is
not often in position to consult this economy con-
sidering the frequent Inconvenience Of distance
from Richmond, and the often urgent needs In
which he may be placed. He is thus made the
easy prey of traders, who, managing to sell to him
st perhaps 100 per cent over the Bureau prices,
can well afford to speculate against the Govern
ment in preferred supplies from the mills and man
ufacturers of the South.
1t is unfortunate that the attention of Congress
was not given to the practical operations Of the
clothing Communication law, ard measures taken TO
make the Government itself provide clothing for
the army, and to give it control of every means
necessary for the efficient accomplishment Of
duty so vital and important
THE COAST DEFENCEs
We are advised of extensive preparations by the