The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-31
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
THE NATURALIZATION BILL.


naturalization concerned the craftsman
rather than the Government; and the bill
now before Parliament though 1t IS confused
and awkward in language, is not much more
unintelligible than ordinary projects ot law.
Although legislation has become necessary
for political reasons, the principles whlch
will henceforth regulate the retention or
transfer of allegiance were inevitably destined |
to prevail either by direct enactment or by |
tacit understanding. The reasons which had
caused the adoption of the old rule of inalien-
able nationality had long ceased to be oper-
ative: and the constant flow of emigration to
the territory of an independent and powerful |
State involved practical contradiction of the |
legal doctrine. Perhaps tenth part of the |
inhabitants of the United States may have |
been born in the United Kingdom, and |
another fifth part may, as children
or grandchildren of English, Scotch,
and Irish parents, come within the compre-
hensive definition of subjects of the English
Crown. AS all but the most recent settlers
are also citizens of the United States, while
few even of last years emigrants have any
intention of retracing their steps, 1t was OBJ
viously impossible to reclaim the services of
millions of supposed subjects, and 1t was
highly undesirable to undertake any respon-
sibility on their behalf. The anomalous
conflict of allegiance was principal cause OF
the inglorious war of 1872 The English
Government, in assertion of a claim which
was fully recognized by American law, i'm
prudently insisted on pressing English sailors
on board American ships. In the crisis of
the conflict with Napoleon there was strong
temptation to disregard all impediments which
obstructed the manning of the navy; but
prudent Government would have anticipated
the willingness of the Americans to take
advantage sof the difficulties of England.
The war which was commenced by the Gov
ernment of the United States for the
abolition of the right of search for seamen
ended without even nominal settlement OF
the disputed question; nor could it be ex-
pected that in that generation the concession
which had been refused when it would have
averted an embarrassing attack would be vo-
luntarily rendered by a government no longer
engaged in the desperate European struggle
which had encouraged American hostility. In
modern times 1t is certain that the pretension
would not be enforced, although it has never
been formally abandoned. Indeed the new
act will scarcely affect the condition of
English sailors on board American ships, as
they will seldom have taken the trouble to
obtain certificates of naturalization. No
further question arose between the
peace of 1916 and the commencement of
the civil war in 1861. When it became pro-
bable that the Northern Government would
resort to conscription, many settlers who had
never previously thought of their duty to
Minister and Consul for protection against
compulsory service According to the letter
of the law their applications were well
founded; but the Grown, in the exercise of
its discretion, declined to interfere in cases
where the settler had applied for American
naturalization. On the other side, the Fede-
raj Government readily allowed that English
residents who retained their original domicile
were exempt from liability to conscription.
The appointment of commission to in
quire into the laws of naturalization and ale
glance, and the bill which was recently intro
duced by the Lord Chancellor, originated in
the Fenian conspiracy and in the jealous and
irritable patriotism which is habitually ex-
cited in the United States by any occasion of
a controversy with England Many Irish
Americans who were thrown out of military
employment by the close of the war heard,
like Dugald Dalgetty in similar circumstances,
with inexpressible delight, that there was a
hope of bloodshed in their own dear country.
AS long as Ireland was prosperous and peace
full they would never have troubled their ma
tive shores with their presence; but in be-
coming naturalized citizens of the United
States they had mentally reserved contin-
gent right of rebellion against the English
Government In principle they unconsciously
adopted the technical rule of memo p0teSt
eDuere patrSam. but at the same time they re.
garded themselves as fully entitled to all the
immunIties of foreigners.
General Badeau an able and eminent Off
Ger who is believed to possess the confidence
of the President, has lately published in Mac
milLaD'S Magazine an address to his own
countrymen, with the laudable object oi
diminishing their hostility to England, but
unfortunately his appeal is founded on mis-
understanding of the English side of the
controversy. He states with perfect truth
that many Englishmen of all classes sup
ported the Northern cause during the civi
war; but the insuperable objection to Mr.
Summers arguments and pretensions has
nothing whatever to do with the feelings OF
wishes for which the people of an indepen
dent country owe no account to foreigners
General Badeau is also mistaken in hi
belief that the indignation caused by Mr.
Summers speech was caused by tn,
study of garbled extracts. The who'll
speech has been published in full in several
forms, and General Badeau may be we'll as
sured that all serious critics of that documen
were fully acquainted with every word which
it contained. Mr.. Fishs despatch, which wa
still more unreasonable and offensive, is tn
latest official statement of the American
claim, and it furnishes an authoritative com
ment on those passages in the President
message which the majority of English jour
nalists amicably and weakly attempted to ex
plain away When an American of the high
est intelligence, sincerely desirous of friendl
relations with England, adopts all the state
ments and arguments of Mr.. Sumner and MI
Fish, and passes over without notice, Lor
Clarendon's conclusive reply, which he ho
probably seen, although it was not COMMIT
n;ootaI to 4ba Ganota ha On1,y tboE ~,