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


think sir the time has for the settlement at
and forever of this whole question If set forth explicitly
this doctrine of right of expatraton and apply to
own as well as all other countries and due efforts and
DILIGENCE through proper channel its recogni
on by the of Europe shall soon have this
yexed question removed from diplomatic correspondence
and relations foreign This can be done
in other way The question is squarely before and
we cannot evade it by any such halfway this
BILL If it fully and fairly, and its adjust
ment upon the exalted principle that governments made
for man and for the the rights
of the citizen paramount and governments are only
useful when they protect and foster these rights thus
ing the old dogma of monarchical humanity
will be indebted modern progressive American republic
cansm for the establishment in the practice of all govern
mens of this transcendenty important doctrine Ii we fail
seize the oppotune moment we shall lose opportunity
seldom if afforded to nation IN the history OF the
But the chairman of the committee says the Government
of the United States has period in its history by leg
atve act declared the right of exparaton and if to-day
should make such declaration recognizing the right
of exparation the part of the people of the United
States it would be interpreted by the Governments of
Europe declaration that from the date of the only
recognize the right of expatriaton and that would eff
ctualy off all the claims of the naturazed citizens of
this country up to this day for protection while in foreign
States. No such Interpretation could be maintained.
decaratory setting forth what the law does not nva
date rights acquired under the declared previous
such declaration statute changing the law by explicit
enactment cannot confer rights anterior its enactment
declaraon statutory form of legal principle often asserted
by the Government through the Executive department
not be held to nvadate rights acquired under the law
gentleman declaratory statute not well taken 1t
will hold good either in fact law. declaration of
what the principle of public law is held by this Govern
ment will not, understand and have consulted the
authorities well who better lawyers than myself
work forfeiture of the rights of naturalzed citizens
acquired previous that decaratory atue and if the bill
is pressed passage in its present form desire offer
amendment upon this point which will send to the Clerk
to be read think it specific and direct than the
one offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.
Woodward But wish to say upon that point that will
cheeruy support any of the amendments already offered
Al Sc
paraon asserted by this Government with reference
its natuazed citizens and contains also specific assertion
of that doctrine applied to the born within the
jurisdiction of the United States.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amend by prehxing the following section:
held and By nitea
territory Of and llesiance TO- Government under
ht Hf BORN % the 9on M
S n ID any and in 9 of ALL w s oT1
oaured acquire citizenship WITHIN the United
Mr. PILE only give notice that if the bill is pressed
to passage in its present form shall endeavor have the
previous question voted down, that may offer this
amendment or allow the gentleman from Pennsylvania
opportunity to offer his.
wish to call attention to another provision of the first
section of the bill modified this morning The effect of
this amendment, understand it, will be to leave four
hs of the German naturazed citizens of this country sub
ect arrest and Imprisonment if they return to Prussia
either business pleasure. excerpts from the pro-
lection provided for persons owing service in the army or
navy of any foreign Government under any order of
scription. The service IN the army of Prussia
referred in that amendment is provided for by law and
any citizen who emgrae from that country before he has
served legal forth in that law and again
returns WILL under the provisions Of that amendment be
subject mpressmen into the service of the Prussan army
navy. want to know if this House ready pass the
bill with amendment that practically takes out of it all
beneficial results regards the most Glass; and
may say worthy any class of naturazed citizens
In this country.
desire to call attention to the provision in the third
section of the bill that authorizes the President of the United
States and dean in custody citizens of any foreign
uh;oh
nauraized citizen of this country think that it is not
only unwise but barbarous and nhuman, to provide
Tor such remedy this When the citizen of foreign
Government lees that Government in consequence of perse
cuton and tyranny and oppression and this land
Land of the free and home of the brave"