Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-12-04


claim To our protection when lapse
of many years have imposed upon
them the duty of military service to
the only government that had ever
known them personally. Until the
year 1868 it was left embarrassed by
the conflicting opinion of courts and
jurists to examine how far the doc
trine of perpetual allegiance derived
from our tformer colonial relations
with Great Britain was applicable to
American cit'zers Congress then
wisely swept the doubts away by
electing that any declaration instruc-
ton. opinion, order or decision of
any officer OF this Gov err ment which
denies, restricts, impairs or questions
the right OF expatristlon is inconsis--
tent with the fundamental principle
of this government But Congress
did not indicate in that statute, nor
has 1t since done so, what acts are
70 be deemed 10 work expatriation.
For my own guidance IN determine
ming such questions required under
Il
have required the opinion in writing
of the principal officers in each OF the
executive departments upon certain
questions relating to the subject
The result satisfies me that further
legislation has become necessary. /
therefore commend the subject to
the careful consideration of Con-
gress, and l transmit herewith copies
of the several opinions of the princi>
pal officers OF the executive DEPART
ments, together with other cores
pondence and prominent lnforma-
ton on the same subject, The Uui.
tea States, who led the way in the
overthrow of the feudal doctrine OF
perpetual allegiance, are among the
last to indicate how their own citi-
zens may elect another nationality.
The papers submitted herewith in.
dictate what is neces- airy to place us
on par with other leading nations
IN liberallty OF legislation on this iu-
ternational question. We have
already, III our treaties, assented TO
the principles when would need to
be embodied in laws intended to ac-
c0mplish such results. We have
agreed that citizens of the United
Sta es may cease TO be citizens, and
may voluntarily render allegiance to
other powers. We have agreed that
residence 10 foreign lands without
intent to return, shall OF itself work
repatriation. We have agreed in
some instances upon the length OF
time necessary for such intent. Lin
vite Congress now to mark and de-
ine, when and bow expiration can
be accomplished ; to regulate by law
the condition Of American women
marrying foreigners to fix the stat
us of children born in foreign coun-
try of American parents residing
more or less permanently abroad,
and to make rules for determining
such other kindred points as may
seem best to Congress.
THE SPANISH REPUBLIC.
ln compliance with the request OF
Congress l transmitted 10 the Amer
lean Minister at Madrid, with instruc.
tions to present il TO the Spanish
government, the Joint resolution APP
proved on the Sd Of March last, ten
dering to the people of Spain, in the
name and on behalf of the American
people, the c. ngratulations Of Con-
gress upon the etfe ats TO consolidate
in Spain the principles f universal
llbe4ty in 2 republican iutm OF gov
eminent. The success Of this new
republic was inaugerated by sirik
ing the letters from the slaves in
Porto Rico. This beneficient meas
ure was followed by the release OF
several thousand persons illegally
sold as slaves in Cuba. Next the
Captain General of that colony was
deprived of the power TO set aside
the orders Of his superior al Madrid
which bad pretained to the office
since 1925; the sequestered estate OF
American citizens, which had been
the cause Of long and frequent cor
resEOndence, were ordered TO be re-
stored to their owners, All these
liberal steps were taken in the face
Of violent opposition, directed by the
reactionary slave holders of Havana,
WHO are vainly striving to stay the
march Of ideas, have terminal
slavery in christendom, Cuba onIy
excepted. Unhappily, however, this
banetul influence has thus far sue
ceeded IN defeating the efforts Of All
liberal minded men in Spain TO abol.
ish slavery in Cuba aud in prevent
ing the promised reform in that is
laod. The struggle for political SUI
permacy continues. The pro.slavery
anstocratic in Cuba is gradually arr
raging itself in more aud more open
hostility and defiance to the home
Government. While il still main
tains political connection with the
republic on the peninsula, although
usurping and defying the bone gov
ernment when, YER such usurpation
or defiance tends in the direction OF
oppression or of the maintenance OF
abuses, it is still power in Madrid
aud recognized by the government
|
continue colOr ial relations between
CUBA and Spain than that which in
spred the instruction of Yarra, an
element opposed to granting any re.
lief from mIsrule and abuse, with DO
aspiration after freedom, command
ing no sympathies in generous
breasts, aiming to rivet still stronger
the shackles Of slavery and oppres-
sion, has seized many of the emblems
ofpower in Cuba and under profess
sions Of loyalty to the mother coun
try, il exhaustiug the resources OF
the island, and in doing acts which
are at variance with those principles
of justice, Ii beraiity and of ri ght
which give nobility of character to a
republic. in the intrests of humanity
of civilization, and of progress, it is