The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-12-21
GENERAL NEWS.
United States.
RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD.


Illinois, late Minister Prussia in the House of Represen
taves as giving the fullest and cleares statement the
case We this Congress will indorse and enforce the
doctrine laid down by Cas that the foreigner
becomes naurazed his allegiance to his native country
government severed forever The following gives the
general bearing-Irsh German etcof the whole subject
and shows clearly that every American native and adopted
should insist speedy and final settlement of the rights
of citizens abroad
From the Congressional Globe.
Mr.. JUDD-Mr Speaker: The question presented by the
honorable member from New York solely an Irish
questions 1t is not tenian questions it is question of
nationality it is question of the protection of rights
and the rights OF citizens when they from
the land of their adoption.
propose with the permission of the House. give this
time little history of the action of executive government
upon this question: and call attention of the House and
of the country its yacilaon and want of dignity at times
and the entire absence of that protection that bound
extend every who has allegiance const
tuition and to the government of this country.
My friend from New York has called the attention Of the
House to of the most important questions that can come
before 1.-THE protection of the citizen when business or
pleasure calls them foreign lands The honor and dignity
of the nation involved in that question: and neglect
delay action at the present me with all the that
presented will sink this proud country almost of the list
of nations If not able to defend the rights of
citizens when abroad let declare this the nation the
world and take the contumely that would follow such
declaration. From the first foundation of government
It's policy has been to invite emgrants these shores hold
ing out to them not only the nducement of home and
plenty, but that greater boon-citizenship- our
constitution and laws that they may and possess
property and aspire any Office in the gift of the peo-
pie except that OF President of this republic We require of
and impose upon him all the duties and responsibilities of
that position and distinction is between the native
born and naturazed citizen in the security and protection
OF their rights at home Is there any why the
protection should not be extended to both classes they
visit foreign lands The statement of the question
ought be its in every rghhinkng republican
mind And although this the actual fact So and
desire to show to the House only that the fact
but some of the reasons why it is not When confer
citizenship you demand of the oath of aeg
ance, and also the following aburation:
And that he absolutely and entirely and abues
al allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince potentae
State or sovereignty whatever and particularly - the
Of, OF which country he has hitherto been subject"
This OATH taken and entered of solemn record determines
the status OF the person taking it, He becomes citizen and
under constitution and laws his rights are as certain
liked determined and complete that of the native
There qualifications no conditions You do not saw
to hum that he shall stay at home and abroad
There conditional citizenship In looking over our past
records upon this question the public officials to have
shrank from enforcing these rights There is principle
theory In relation to government claimed by of
nations of Europe that if allowed be enforced destroys
entirely the quality of absolute American citizenship There
is not civilized nation that does in form recognize
the right OF person to change his domce or exparate
himself The doctrine of perpetual allegiance is derived
from the dark ages the time when were main
tanned for the benefit of rulers and the people Sow
ereigns were everything; subjects nothing
In these days. of the military governments of Europe
seek to enforce this rule and to-day Great Britain and Prussia
say to the citizens of the United States True is you are
citizens of the United States but still you subjects
mss "" 10y "C0 uPou IL ID hoC WIN InoSe nauons
mere theory Mr. Speaker In Prussia citizens are COM
PEELED to do military duty for government the allegiance
which have compelled them ALLURE under oath and
although Great Britain does not demand military service
she does than that Her deny rights to our
Gzens that given every other nasn in its tribunals
hen and Story have partially recognized the preenson of
hese foreign governments. They the of
our separation from the mother country Lawyers educated
under the common law SYSTEM full of precedent they appar
ny subscribed to that which they found in the English
Ii seems to me- if they had reflected upon the oath
OF everyone before they became citizens namely:
al @ ne absolutely and entirely and abures
State or sovereignty whatever and particularly William
hng G 6ad ro t. and then kept in mind that
% b@u IRON us foundation invited foreigners take this
the persons taking it owed any perpetual or any other allie
glance to the country they have foresworn.