The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-12-17

United States citizens abroad. In re.
gard to some Governments, their
rights are at least partially defined by
treaties. In no instances however, is
it expressly stipulated that on the in
stance of civil war, foreigner, resi-
ding in this country within the lines of
the insurgents, is to be exempted from
the rule which classes him as a bellig-
erent in whose behalf the Government
of his country cannot express any
privileges or immunities distinct from
that character. Iregret to say, how
ever, that such claims have been put
forward, and in some instances in be.
half of foreigners who have lived in
the United States the greater part of
their lives. There is reason to believe
that many persons, born in foreign
countries, who have declared their in
tentions to become citizens, or who
have been fully naturalized, have eva.
ded the military duty required of them
by denying the fact and thereby throw
ing upon the Government the burden
of proof. 1t has been found difficult,
or unpracticable, to obtain this proof,
from the want of guides to the proper
sources of information. These might
be supplied by requiring the clerks OF
courts where declarations of intention
may be made, or naturalization effec-
ted, to send, periodically, lists of the
names of persons naturalized or declar-
ing their intention to become citizens,
to the Secretary of the Interior, in
whose department these names must
be arranged and printed for general
information, There is also reason to
believe that foreigners frequently be-
come citizens of the United States
for the sole purpose of evading the
duties imposed by the laws of their
native country, to which, on be-
coming naturalized here, they at
once repair, and though never return
ing to the United States, they still
claim the interposition of the Govern
ment as citizens. Many alterations
and great prejudices have heretofore
grown out of this abuse. 1t is there-
fore submitted to your serious consid-
Grafton. 1t might be advisable to fix
limit beyond which no citizens of the
United States, residing abroad, may
claim the interposition of this Govern
ment. The right of suffrage has often
been assumed and exercised by aliens,
under pretense of naturalization, which
they have disavowed when drafted into
the military service. submit the ex-
pediency of such an amendment of the
laws as will make the fact of voting an
estoppel against any plea of exemption
from military service or other civil OBJ
legation, on the ground of alienage.
JAPAN. f
In common with other Western
Powers, our relations with Japan have
been brought into serious jeopardy
through the pervese opposition of the
hereditary aristocracy of the empire to
the enlightened and liberal policy of
the Tycoon, designed to bring the
country into the society Of nations. 1t
is to be hoped, although not with en-
tire, confidence, that these. difficulties
may be peacefully overcome. ask
your attention to the, Minister reading
there, for the damages he sustained in
the destruction by fire of the residence
of the Legation at Yeddo.
THE INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH.
Satisfactory arrangements have been
made with the Emperor of Russia,
which, it is believed, will result in eff
fecting a continuous line of telegraph
through that empire, from our Pacific
coast.
/ recommend to your favorable con-
sideration the subject of an interna.
tional telegraph across the Atlantic
Ocean, and also of a telegraph between
this Capital and the national forts along
: n NH--f D
the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf OF
Mexico. Some connections, established
with any reasonable outlay, would be
economical as well. as effective aids to
the diplomatic military, and naval
service. sidt b9s.g39I sRB doiBqzib an
OUR REPRESENTATIVES, ABROAD. &i'
i The consular system of the United
States, under the enactments of the
last Congress, begins to be self-sus
tanning, and there is reason to, hops
that itmay become entirely so with thu
increase of trade which will ensut
] whenever peace is restored.
Our ministers ilabroad have beer
, faithful in defending American rights
- ON, m oroi al Ii m