New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-08
4 GERMANAMERIC4N ON MR.. BANCROFTS
TREATY.
To ne Editor Of The Tribune.


To me Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: The treaty lately concluded between
the United States OF America and the North German
Confederation through the eXerOns OF Mr. Bancroft has
excited lively interest throughout this country, and
given rise to considerable discussion in society well
by the public press While IL Is conceded by all that It
great step forward while 1t is welcomed by all liberal
minded men as contract fraught with innumerable
benefits to thousands living and more yet unborn
while there be no doubt that such an example Will
1t is to be hoped at distant day-lead
or perhaps properly dre other European nations
to acknowledge and, acknowledging 10 sanction the
dissemination of the aimportant principle pervading
the treaty-the inalienabe night OF seteXpanaon-yet
to regretted that this the first OF Its kind should
be defective in its phTaseOlOgy that serious misap
AS a preliminary remark II is TO be greatly depored
that Mr. Bancroft than whom no man living should be
indebted to emigration particularly that OF the Ger
man nationality should so far forget ne prominent prn
the native born and the bona fde legally naturalized
citizen of the United States The Constitution itself
makes such distinction only In single point namely
in the eligibility TO the Presidency and VicePresdency
And even in this respect he it order to do justice to
the then naturaiZed citizens generally TO give such
Hamilton, Gallatin steuben, etc. who on the tented field
and in the council chamber had done the State
service" opportunity TO participate In the greatest
honor which can be conferred by free peOpethe fra
mers of that glorious instrument modified the distinction
by making citizen Of the United States at the time OF
the adoption OF this Constitution" eligible to the office OF
President THIS difference until the present day utterly
discarded and strenuousy guarded against by usage by
laws and even In party strfefOr even the Know Moth
ings ephemeral though they were, most nimicaly in
cned toward foreigners thought IL best not 10 nscrbe
it their bannersthis difference, let me repeat has
now by sacred treaty stpulatons been acknowledged
and engrafted political tenet In the future intercourse
Of the Government with foreign nations and rest as
Minister and wouldbe eonqueror King ~
Article ~ Of the treaty proyides-I translate literally
from the German text before me-
'If German naturazed in America settles nSleder-
turning America, he shall be considered having
nouneed his NATURALIZATION in the United States"
Vergcht eistend Then follows the vice versa proyis-
The announcement of return can be looked upon az
existing il the nauralized COne) OF party
longer than two years In the territory Of the other party
Now this surely an explicit and plain distinction be-
tween nativeborn and naturalzed American citizen
and most fragrant abandonment Of the latter OH the
part of his Government and country Ito which no
and which has accepted his aeauce 10 the tender
ces Of European despOtism.
The first named may leave his native country. no mat
ter at what age and spend his days II he chooses. in
North Germany, without more beng required of him
card of domcil" (Aufenthaskare), document which
every stranger who remains for any length OF timen
this by some and even by certain renowned men, con-
sdered as free acOuntTy as Ours-hnds II necessary 10
obtain ID exchange for his passport which he must de-
post at the Ponce Bureau where are registered the date
OF his arrival and departure, well particulars
corning his standing in society religion age occupation,
circumstances the object of his visit and stay, &c
Let suppose case 10 exhibit the probable operation
Of the treaty as It, now stands IL the misfortune Of
man to be born IN the Eastern Hemisphere he leaves his
birthplace his home, his kindred and friends, TO become
citizen OF the great modern Republic. He complies in
every respect with he requirements OF the law after
residence of three years he declares his intention of be-
all and every allegiance TO his former country and
its ruler Another uninterrupted residence Of two years.
ing fidelity the Constitution and answering ALE
glance to the Government OF the United States, which
he 0ndy hopes and apparently has every reason to
pec will in return forever and in all places protect and
Perhaps soon after he Is led TO revisit the place of his
BIRTH and the playground OF his boyish sports Or IL
may be- he has left dearybeloyed true and faithful
beng behind him, to whom he returns 20 redeem the
troth pghed TO her. and take her to his newly acquired
country and home 70 be the presiding angel at his hearth
ant m Ia nrnln
his stay for some time Two years have passed since he
mas again UOddeh inc sou OF ms naive landi regular
law OF the land he thinks himself safe anywhere under
contents Of what he considers his sacred tasman
But alas!
Is mortals ehieiest enemy"
Unexpectedly an underng OF the CONSUMPTION office
calls upon him. and takes him to the Examining officers
Of the Military Bureau. He is stripped closely examined
and found robust well built aud In good health he is
card Of domicil" of which he is possessed 1t is shown
that he had remained in the country for than two
empts the native German from active service in tho
army he must be treated cOnscrpt, subject to mill
tary duty Thus he is forced TO shoulder musket, be-
come slave TO the iron rules Of authorized despotlsm
for three years. and should break ont during this
for cause and ruler alike loathsome TO him His pro.
testatOns his expostuaOns, his appeals for pro-
lection 20 him who represents the government and
try OF his adoption and WHO'S specially eljoned TO afford
him such protection, win be all OF avail The treaty,
ment the authority to act thus The conscrpt is power
less and with bitterness OF heart and anguish Of mind
he submit TO the tyranncal behess OF those from
whose expressions he had supposed himself safe.
the other hand If an American born should take
bis residence In North Germany he would be in no man
shape mOlested bat allowed TO remain In the coun
try long IL peases him 80 to do and TO 80 undis
turbed " The even tenor OF his way"
Aud yet both citizens OF the same government en-
titled alike 10 its protection and subject equally TO It's
and the fulment Of the duties which their inherited
Or adopted nationality render incumbent upon them
That such treatment Is 10 be anticipated-that the |
meaning OF the treaty VIII be thus Interpreted Tor rather
and Its terms thus carried out has been
plainly and ureseryedy stated by the Chancellor OF the
Confederation during the debate in the Diet which pre-
ceed the ratification OF the treaty at the session held on
the "a OF this month. Said Count Bismarck
am OF opinion that according to the sense OF the l
SSttaty ne who voluntarily returns TO Germany finds
hnse IN the position OF voluntary emigTant IfWhal
ne nnds himself yet in tho age subject TO military duty
.heh WIZ hls0 iall upon him. North German citizen,
German citizenship F' ~ ~
tnnk have thus shown how defective the treaty IA
az soe vi ts most important details and how easily its
however soundy and logically they NAV he inter-
neted oy one party be wrongly Construed and car
Iieu Into DaneIul execution by the other FuTfer N
places the FORMER North German now American c,tizo
on worse ioOung than he had previously stood '
. Inc russian Government has, / believe never givon
US consent 70 her male subjects emgratinR after be
had attained the age Of Is, while in most other ene
States, emigration with the consent Of the
could be effected by depOsitlng a certain amonnt ~
money TO be applied in the purchase of substtnte in
case the dep0slt0r should not present himself e be time
when military duty Is required Of him This mode ~
procedure being lawful exempted the emf grant from any
IuIef mOlestatoD, his payment being equivalent 10 his
own presence III the eyes Of the law HencefOrth how
ever the nauraliZed citizen of the United States who
Gahn az aI..