The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-02-28

IlenldtOfS Oh INC puDilc Jaw, aQhcfoS
logically and closely to the doctrine of
perpetual allegiance" In modern Eu-
ropean polity the attempt to vindicate
or maintain it has III great part been
Abandoned or modified, Prussia alone
maintains in its completeness the duty
of military service, and consequent
claim on the person owing it. Franco.
in the "Code Napoleon" recognized in
large sense the right of expatriation.
French citizenship is forfeited by the
assumption of citizenship in another
nationality or by carrying arms there
for. A French woman marrying an
alien assumes the citizenship of the hus-
bands country. On becoming widow
she can resume her rights as a French
woman. 1t is true that France claims
military service. but even in that she
deals literally with the emigrant, though
not as we desire it done. Tho Froneh
courts have recently decided that the
eNpatrinted Fr.oI,ohiaon'e term (if lie
was liable to military duty when he left,)
begins on leaving and continues five
years. Ifhe returns before that expires
he is liable to conscriptiOn. If after, he
is not.
The British Government, of whose
recent outrageous acts we are now COM
planning so Justly, recognizes this natu-
vide for the removal of alicnage and the
assumption of British citizenship by per-
sons born on soil other than its own.
and owing that allegiance which, as
Blackstone declares, sis principle of
infural law that cannot be absolved
even by swearing allegiance to foreign
prince"
Mr.. Speaker, we are all agreed on the
duty; men of all shades of political
opinion vie with each other in declara-
tons of sympathy. with the object
sought by the bill before us. Let me
turn, then, to see whether it accom-
plishcs what is demanded. / start out,
sir, as logical deductions from nv pre-
ceding argument, with two PROPOSE
tons.
First, That at home or abroad, under
our flag or foreign one, the American
citizen, whether he be native born or
naturaliZcd, is entitled to exactly the
same rights and protection the only
exceptions being in the constitutional
offices have already named.
Second, That as we protect and de-
fend the right of self-expatriation in
other peoples-grOwing as we do there
by in many elements of material and
political greatness-we also accord 1t
fully, perfectly, completely 10 our own
citizens.
Iacccpt the logic of-these propositions
without an eff, and, or but" They are
democratic in the universal sense. They
lie at tho very foundation of human
brotherhood, of that ''bringing together
of the ends of the earth," the hope of
which is the cOnsummate flower of our
country. The question is whether the
present bill meets these requirements
To my mind it does not. In the very
opening words l find language which is
a virtual denial of the rights of citizens
such as we are discussing.
! On lines three and four it is said, Will
regard to naturaliZed citizens, that they
''while in foreign States, shall be" NC
| Why should the word E'shalF' be insert
cd there? 1t certainly implies that they
hitherto have not been entitled TO the
rights and protection hereby proposed
to be guaranteed. If we were speaking
of native-bOrn persons We should no'
use this language; nor do / see the pro
pricty, in terms like the first sentence
of discriminating between naturalizcC
and native-born citizens. 1t is to bI
| feared that some portion of the Know
Nothing obligations once so rife in thu
/ State which the distinguished chairman
in part represents, have unconsclously
filtered through the pen with which thi
bill was written. Why not, sir, make ;
simple declaration-the stronger thu
better-that all citizens of the Unites
States while in foreign States are emit
tied to and shall receive from their Gov
eminent all the protection in person
and property to which they are emit
tied in such situation and circumstances
!,
Mr.. Speaker, I cannot sustain the bi!
+ in its present shape. l do not think
, attains what it is designed for, an
$ there seems too large list of special cH
ceptions. want simple, direct, bu
comprehensive declaration of our dut
l to protect, III every just right, all GU
S citizens when residing in foreign State
a and an ample announcement of our d'
termination to so award that protectio
$ as that everywhere the simple announce
|. ment, 81 am an American citizen" sha
G be as potent to shield from outrage {
d was the citizenship of ancient Rome
: cover every one of her children.
o maintenance of that duty / am read
Y sir, should it be necessary, which &c
IT forbid, to vote the last dollar in Il
;, Treasury, the last ship in the ports, M
l. the last man in the land.
4, Mr.. Banks obtained the floor.