The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-29
CHE q ailg Arens,
independent IN Eoerythinq.
Concluded from second page.

Concluded from second page.
tionallze citizen for being away from the
country two years, could it not impose the
same penalty for going abroad for any
time, or at all Undoubtedly it could. If
Congress may prescribe registration at the
consulate as the only means to avoid de-
naturalization, could not the same author
lty change 1t next year, and exact pen
atty OF thousand or ten thousand dollars
or some other sum tor the privilege, or in
SYST upon some less oppressive condition?
Some Of these suggestions come to me, as
did others more important to General
Cass, while Secretary of State, from such
German citizens as Mr. A. Y. Hotter. To
him, as well as to the brave and Just Ger
man Press, am | indebted for many sug-
gestions, which hurriedly throw into this
debate Such suggestions never fail to in
struct the men who make laws, even as
the Germans made our organic laws in the
ancient Wetenagemote!
Mr. Speaker, ia what [ have already
said do not wish to be understood as OBJ
jectiug to passports generally. They have
their utility. | will reserve anything |
may say on that subject to sometime here
after. Allow me to say, just here, that it
seems to me that this bill to that extent
would repeal the act concerning the right
to citizenship which was approved July n,
1868, and with which members are famil-
lar The motive for the passage of that
bill just before the presidential election is
not difficult to fancy 1t was done to pla-
cate our Irish born citizens. 1t did not do
it to any great extent. But whatever may
have been the motive of that act, it was
the expression of legislative will, One
cannot go far astray in getting at the true
meaning.
The second section Of that act provides
that AL naturalzed citizens of the United
States while in foreign States shall be en-
TITLED tn, and shall receive from, this Gov
| ernmeut the same protection of persons
and property that is accorded to native
BORN citizens in like situation and circum-
stances
The third section provides that when
ever it shall be made known to the Presl-
dent that any citizen of the United States
mas been unjustly deprived of his liberty
| Dy or under authority Of any foreign gov
eminent, it shall be the duty Of the Presi-
dent forthwith to demand of that govern
ment, &c.
No distinction was then made between
native born and naturalized citizens MOI
is an individual Of the latter class excepted
who may return to the country of his birth
The rights Of each are broadly defined a.
being identically the same The duty O
the President is made the same as to them
Nov, sir, compare with this the following
provision taken from the second section O
the substitute uuder consideration:
Thirdly, The following persons shall be regarded
as not subject to the jurisdiction of the Unitet
states; Iourthly, naturazvd citizens of the Unite
States who NAV by the terms OF any treaty he re
garded as having Resumed their orr inal natiOnali
| or who, on returning to their native country, ma
be convicted of ofe against the laws OF tina
country committed prior to IIer arrival in tn
United States; iftnly, naturalized citizen Of tn
Unit States becoming domiciled in the countr
If his or her nativity, Mess when otherwsi regr
lated by eaty.
What is the meaning of that? 1t is a
Ofense in Germany for man to deser
from the military service. Such "a hOrribl
crime is, of course, committed before h
leaves Germany The man may have be
come citizen of this country He re
nounces and abjures all allegiance, &c
wnen he goes back he becomes denauonal
lied by the provisions of this bill, if | I'LL
derstand it rightly If So, this bill is
gross and glaring outrage, In some part
II Germany, believe, citizens are some
times regarded as having committed an o.
tense if they emgrate.
t Mr.. Eldredge-l es the very act Of en-
lgration is crime.
/, Mr.. Cox-The very act of emigratiOn.a
: my friend we'll says, is an Offense by Law
/. When they return to their native countr
they lose all the benefits of naturalIzatio
because of that very offense And this,
this nineteenth century! And this, whe
= Germany dominates Europe!
Mr. Schumacher, of New York-There
no such law as that in Germany.
Mr. COx-In some parts Of German
such law exists do not speak of Pru
> STA particularly.
Mr.. Schumacher, of New York-There
no such law as that in any part OF the &c
man Empire.
Mr. Cox will not contradict my ho
lored friend, who has travelled there. L
perhaps knows more than | do about
He will have an opportunity hereafter
correct me, and no doubt will do it wi
authority. | will not waste the time
the House or space in the Record in Ca
lug to the minds of members the clau
cited about otfenses committed prior to Il
. arrival in this country of the naturaiz,
citizen 1t may include the evasion of N
itary duty, or it may go further, and, as
have said, conviction may be obtained 1
the mere act of emigration. Leaving
= these considerations aside as they won
carry NE too far, | am constrained to a
if these provisions do not make very G
cided, unjust injurious, and wholly L
= American distinction between native a
naturalized citizens, aud against the Il
ter?
:. concluded to morrow