The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-15


papers which have been presented in this House. and referred
by order of the House the Committee on Foreign Affairs
believe there is single which undertakes to pre-
sent remedy for the universal complaint which is made all
the country well by the representatives of the
people from all parts of the country. therefore
that is not clear in the minds of gentlemen what should
be done this question The Committee Foreign Affairs
taking up this question, did not Immediately and per-
fecy solution of the difficulty presented but the bill comes
it anyone present. AS have said before
it received the unanimous assent of the members of that
committee after mature deliberations and every suggestion
made by gentlemen here considered in committee and
dismissed in the belief that the general provisions of this bill
furnish all the protection is competent for the Government
give any class of citizens These may be doubtless i'm
proved in phraseology in some respects.
In the first place. sir it is necessary to consider in what
respect we may not be willing to protect American citizens
in foreign States. We must admit this to be right: that
who commits crime against foreign State while within
foreign State submit himself to the criminal urisdc-
ton of that State and cannot interfere except in far
to to him just and impartial trial who is
in the army navy of foreign State under its flag, borne
upon its roster wearing its uniform who deserts that service
would be held by that Government precisely he would be
held by the American Government if he deserer
from its service Therefore one charged with acts that
constitute crime according to the laws OF civilized States
would be liable to punishment.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE-Will the gentleman yield for ques-
ton?
Mr.. BANKs-1 will occupy the floor for few moments
only.
Mr. ELDRIDGE-I wish to ask question in connection
with what the gentleman is saying.
Mr.. BANKS-I prefer not to yield the floor at this
moment.
Mr. Speaker in most of the European States deserer
punishment In the American service he would be
liable to the penalty of DEATH It is crime from which
cannot expect relieve American citizens but it does not
affect those who under prospective contingent obli
CATION If subject who, being subject of foreign State,
may possibly be called for service years afterwards
and emigrates with the actual implied consent of his Gov
ernmen cannot be held deserer from the military service
of that Government am liable to do service in the State
of Massachusetts, of which am citizen but free
emgrae from that State and commit crime against the
State of Massachusetts, because at the time no lmme
date and positive military obligation.
4,a 10
frequently called act is that of who obtain nauraza
ton papers by Misrepresentation and fraud tits frequent
that from South American States from Costa
Ric from Europe remain here just long enough to make
application for naturalization papers, go back when it isme
get full papers, and thus without residing in this country
for length of time and acting in good faith towards
this Government obtain recognitons naalzed citizens
their intention being to reside in foreign countries to do
business there and escape their obligation pecuniary and
otherwise, to those Governments by pleading American
citizenship and at the same time escaping all their obga-
tons to this country pecunary and otherwise as citizens
We cannot undertake to protect of fraud like this 1t
is not the interest of the Government, and the
House will not expect the committee proposition of
that kind.
There is another class of claiming be- who
citizens of the United States who leave this country, draw
ten fifteen per cent interest from their property here
go to Paris other European capital to live IN lux
ury recognizing obligation any Government and living
less than their tax to this Government would be-
thus escaping their obligation to this country. We do not
propose allow to such persons the exercise of priv
ege of that kind and the bill provides necessary remedy
for this evil
Wnen goes
himself in business elsewhere buys land, for instance and
cutivates it, establishes commercial house, escaping his
oogauohS 10 ts country as wen as Ihose justly uue W e
Government where he resides the bill presented provides an
efectual remedy.
These of the general exceptions which the Gov
eminent must recognize and which the committee commend
the good judgment of the House for its approval in the
| bill now under consideration
We come hen to the general question: which is of the
highest importance this Government connected with the
right of American citizenship Thequestion is asked What
the rights of naturazed citizens in foreign States,
uhno ubOa
faith the rights they thus obtain of this Government? The
is that the naturaized citizen has exactly the
right in foreign Government that native-born citizen of
the United States enjoys There difference There is
privilege for that the other may claim and is
the first and highest duty of the American Government
accord its protection the naturazed citizen exactly the
decree that does to the naYehorn citizen And this