The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-12-18

duration and the tenacity of its adherents,
together with the absence of a manifeta-
ton of the power of suppression on the
part of Spain, cannot be controverted,
and may make some positive steps on the
part of other powers a matter of self ne
Icessity.
THE VIRGINIUS INDEMNITY.
1 had confidently hoped at this time
to be able to announce the arrangements
Of some of the important questions be-
tween this government and that of
Spain, but the negotiations have been
lprotracted. The unhappy intestine dis
Isensions of Spain command our profound
sympathy and must be accepted as per
Ihaps a cause of some delay. An early
settlement, in part, at least, of the
question between the governments is
hoped. In the meantime, awaiting the
results of Immediately pending nego-
tiations, I defer further and fuller com
municaion ON the subject of the relations
of this country and Spain.
NATURALIZATION AND ExPATRIAEoN.
Ihave again to call the attention of
Congress to the unsatisfactory condition
of the existing laws with reference to
repatriation and the election of nation
|ality. Formerly, amid conflicting opin-
ions and decisions, it was difficult ex-
Iactly to determine how far the doctrine
Iof perpetual allegiance was applicable to
Icitizens of the United States. Congress
by the act of July 9th, 1868, asserted
the abstract right of expatriation as a
principal of this govern
ment. Notwithstanding this assertion
and the necessity of frequent applica-
ton of the principle, no legislation has
been had defining what acts or formali-
ties shall work expatritation, or when q
Citizen shall be deemed to have re-
.nounced or to have lost his citizenship
THE Importance of such a defination is
olovious. The representatives of the
United States IN foreign countries are.
continually called upon to lend their aid
and the protection of the United States
to persons concerning the good faith or
the reality of whose citizenship there is
at least great question. In same cases
tie provisions of the treaties furnish
some guide; in others it seems left to the
persons claiming the benefit Of citizen
Ship while living in a country, contribu-
ting in no manner to the performance Of
the duties of q citizen of the United
States, and without intention at any
time to return and undertake those
duties, to use the claim to citizenship of
the United States, simply as shield
from the performancel OF the obligation
of citizen elsewhere. The status of
children born Of American parents re-
siding in a foreign country, Of American
women who have married Aliens of
Americans. residing abroad where such
question is not regulated by treaty, are
all sources of frequent difficulty and dis
cussion. Legislation on these and sin1itI
lar questions and particularly definingt
when and under what circumstances ex-
patriadon can be accomplished, or is to-
be presumed, is especially needed. Int
this connection, I earnestly call the at
t6ntion of, Congress TO the difficulties
arising from fraudulent naturalization.
The United States wisely, freely, and
offers its citizenship to all who
may come IN good faith to reside within
its limits, on. their complying with GER
tain prescribed reasonable and simple
formalities and conditions. Among the
highest drlties of the government is that
to afford frTn, efficient and equal protec-
ton TO all its citizens, whether native
born or naturalized. Care. should be
taken that right. carrying with it such
support from the government should not
be frauduIently obtained, and should be
bestowed only upon full proof of com
pliance with the law. There have been
frequent instances of illegal and fraudu-
lent naturalization and of the unauthor-
lied use of certificates thus improperly
obtained. & In some cases the fraudulent |
character Of the naturalization has ap-
peared upon the face of the certificate
itself. In others examination disclosed
that the holders had not complied with
The law, andin others certificates have
been obtained where the persons holdingi
them not only were not entitled to be
but had not even been with
IN the United States at the time of the
pretended naturalization. Instances Of
zach of these Glasses of frauds are dis
covered at our legations, where the GER
iificates of naturalization are presented,
sither for. the purpose of obtaining pass
1orts or Ia demanding the protection Of
he legation. When the fraud isapparD &
mt on the face of such certificates they.
re taken UP by the representatives OF .
he government and forwarded to thed
,artnent of State. But even the record
# the court. in which the fsaJ1dulenti5 3
occurred remains O and .
duplicate certificates are, readily obtain.
.ble upon the presentation Of these Tor .
he issue of passports or demanding pro (
the government The fraud L
ep1etimes escapes notice and such ceg-
ifeates are. not :Ilnfrequently used IN
ransactions of business to the deception /,
nd injury of innoceat parties. With Z
Mt placing any additional 7obsthdel IN ),
he way Of the Obtainnlent O. citizenship i
" the worthy and well intentioned for
igner who comes in good faith to sharet
rs lot with ours, Z EeaFneStly Fecomnendp y
urther degislation TO punish hadduIeutL I
naturalization, and to. secure the ready h
of the record of every
made IN the fraud. Il
fEI-aG5[fl tuc FE-ra gIlE = I'I- sPTf IA
I'll B1TRADIToET TREATIES. . r.
Since my last annual message the ex- d,
lange has been made Of the ratification =
f treasies Of extraditiDns with Belgium,
Peru and San Salvador; also, 7
treatyof commerce and navigation with
'eru. and ole Of commerce and consular $
with San iSalyador,an of which 7
ave been tlulyrepOr ted, asal5Othe dec-E=
sration. With Russia with reference tot