National Republican., 1883-08-21
NATURALIzED CITIZENS.
Their Status the Same in All Respects rs
Tint OF the Native horn.


The United States sustains peculiar rela-
tions to her citizens of foreign birth. The
largo emigrations annually to tho republic
have given her vast foreign citizenship.
These persons rapidly incorporate themselves
into the great political body and form one
political whole. These relations in the re-
public are we'll defined. There is but ono
citizenship. The naturalized citizens occupy
precisely the same relations to the govern
mont that the native born do, with tho fol-
lowing exceptions No foreign born citizen is
eligible to the office of president or vice pres
ident nor senator under citizenship of nine
years. nor member of the house of representa-
tives under seven years. In all other respects
there is no distinction.
His relation to foreign states is not so
clearly defined. Popular opinion has placed
all on the same ground. 1t makes no dis
tinction, but demands for one the same rights
and protection that it does for the other.
The political power and the judicial have not
been SO generous. They have been influenced
more by the usages of other nations and tho
principles of international law, with IA pro-
gressive tendency to the popular view. The
popular sentiment has always, in this country
as in all Others been in advance of the action
of the government. 1t has in all ages and on
all questions struggled to mitigate tho asperi-
ties of the governments and sought the
amelioration of the political condition of tho
citizen. 1t has ever been found difficult
to bring the government into the healthful
atmosphere of popular opinion. Power is the
essential element of government, and it is Il
blind divinity, as it is intensely selfish, OBJ
stinatc, and intloxible. 1t requires a stronger
force to secure compliance with reason and
popular freedom. The principle announced
by the greatest of all ancient publicists that
the Roman citizen had the privilege to stay
or renOunce his residence in tho state at
pleasure" has ever been the doctrine of the
American people. That when any person
became an American citizen by conforming to
the laws, that he was clothed with the char
actor of our nationality and entitled to the
fullest protection of the government.
The case of Martin Koszta gave rise to a
pretty thorough discussion of the doctrines
involving the relation of the foreign born
citizen to the United States. The principle
there assumed was illustrated by the prompt
action of our naval officer then in q foreign
port, which was fully approved by the politi-
cal department of the government. 1t more
than met the appreciation of the people; it
it was hailed with rapture throughout the
nation. This case was SO notorious and SO
recent that it is well understood by the
American people. 1t furnished another in
stance of the Incompatible superiority of
American diplomatic correspondence.
Martin Koszta, a Hungarian, came to this
country in 1850 declared his intention to be-
come an American citizen in due form of law
He resided in New York nearly two years
and returned to Turkey on private business
He was forcibly seized in Smyrna and carried
on board an Austrian brig of war, and placed
in irons with the view of carrying him to
Austria to be tried for treason. He had been
one of the Hungarian patriots. Comdr. In
ha,,, a. /,
fnement, in command of the United States
ship of war st. Louis. lie became satisfied
that kOsZta was entitled to the protection of
his government and moved his vessel within
half cables length of the Austrian brig,
loaded his guns, and demanded the re-
lease Of Koszta An arrangement was soon
made by which KosZta was delivered to
the French consul to await the result
of the negotiation between the two govern
ments This resulted in the release of
Koszta. In the discussion that followed Mr..
Marcy took grounds in favor of the action of
the American legation in Turkey and the
action of 'Comdr. lngraham. The case fully
establishes the principle that when n for
eigner legally and in good faith declares his
intention to become n citizen, and has his
dOmicile in the United States, he has the
same right to protection that q native born
citizen has at home and abroad. The Presi-
dent of the United States in his annual ines
sage assumed this ground and fully approved
the conduct of the gallant officer who had so
promptly vindiCated the honor of his govern
ment. The grounds assumed by Secretary
Marcy in his able letter to Mr.. Hulsey-
man, the Austrian minister, came up
to the popular judgment for tho
first time in our diplomatic history. Had
Koszta been carried to Austria and executed
! am not prepared to say what action would
have been taken. This was alone prevented
by the decided action of Comd'r lngraham.
The conduct of Austrian officials and the mis-
cradle demands Of Mr.. Hulseyman were so
completely cut to pieces by the board gen
er0us,and mastery argument of our secretary
of State that Austrian complaints were
silenced forever, The position of the political
department on this occasion went beyond the
opinions expressed by the judiciary when tho
question came before the courts. If ques-
ton should present itself again that involved
Il conflict with powerful nation, and re-
quired aggressive action, il is doubtful whether
the principle established in the Koszta case
would be maintained even by the executive de-
pirtnent Of the government, 1t Is by no
means certain how far the government would
involve itself tor native born citizen, We