Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-12-17
CoNCERNING ALIENS.

Incidents occurring in. the progress of
our civil war have forced upon my atten-
ton the uncertain state of international
questions touching the rights of forelgne, S
in this country and of u. S. citizens broad
La regard to some governments, these rights
are at least partially defined by treaties in
no instance however, is it expressly stipu-
lated that on the instance of civil war a
foreigner residing in this country, within
the lines of the insurgents is to be ex-
empted from the rule which classes him as
belligerent, in whose behalf the govern
mcnt of his country cannot expect any
privileges or immunities distinct from that
character. IA
| regret to say, however, that such claims
have been put forward, and in some in
stances in behalf of foreigners who have
lived in the United States the greater part
Of their lives. There is no reason to be-
lieve that many persons, born in foreign
countries, who have declared their inten-
tons to become citizens, or who have been
fully naturalized, have evaded the military
duty required of them, by denying the fact,
and thereby throwing upon the Government
the burden of proof 1t has been found
difficult or impracticable to obtain this
proof, from want Of guides to the proper
sources of information These might be
supplied by requiringclerks Of courts, where
Observation-Disclosures may be made, or nat
uralization effected, to send periodically
lists of the names of persons naturalized or
declaring their intentions to become citi-
zens, to the Secretary Of the Interior, in
whose department these names be ar
ranged and printed for general informs alton
There is also reason to believe that for
eigners frequently become citizens of the
United States for the sole purpose Of evad-
ing the duties imposed by the laws of their
several countries, to which, on becoming g
naturalized, they at once repare, and tho
never returning to the United States, they
still claim the interposition Of the govern
ment as citizens. Many alterations and
great prejudiees have heretofore arizen out
of this abuse. 1t is therefore ST omitted to
your serious consideration It might be
advisable to fix a limit beyond which no
citizen of the United States, residing abroad,
may claim the interposition Of the govern
ment. -g' t.s-4 4s
The right of suffrage has often been as
| sumed and exercised by aliens under the
pIeltICG Vi ldtul dllLdliOll, WHICH tHey nave
disavowed when drafted iato the military
service | admit the expediency of such
an amendment of the laws as will make the
fact of voting an estoped against any plea of
exemption from military service, or other
civil obiiiigations, on the ground of alienage.
aG. 81 THE TERRITORIES.
The condition Of the several organized
Territories is generally satisfactory, although
the Indian disturbances in New Mexico
have not been entirely suppressed. The
mineral resources of Colorado, Nevada, Ida
| no, New Mexico and Arizona are proving
| far richer than heretofore understood
A el IMMIGRATION. m r I5ea-
Iagain submit to your consideration the
iexpediency of establishing a system for the
encouragement of immigration. Although
this source OF national wealth is again flow
ing hither with greater freedom than for
several years before the insurrection oc-
CURED, there is still great deficiency oi
! aborerS in every field of: industry am; eS.