Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-17
A speech On cit.zenship.


A speech On Citizenship.
The following speech, delivered more
than two years ego by Governor CIEvE-
LAND proves two things first. the ability
Of the man, and, secondly. that be did not
walt until he bad been nominated fof Pee.
sident OF the United State before declaring
In favor Of the protection OF our naturalixed
In ell their rights. This speech Is a calm,
lawyer-like, philosophical discussion Of a
single point, called unexpectedly. per-
hsps, to the attention OF the orator,
when II had been charged In this country
that Mr.. LOWELL, the American Minister
10 England, had abandoned the Americans
imprisoned In Ireland without formil
accusation, trial or conviction, the public
indignation found expression 10 mass
meetings 10 protest against his course, and
about the time that the controversy cnl.
minated such meeting was called In
Buffalo, MY. II was held April 0. 1882,
In 81. James's Hall, and Governor CL2vE.
mayor Of Buffalo, presided. On taking the
chair he delivered the following address:
"Fcllow-C Citizens, This IL the formal
mode Of address or occasions OF this kind,
but / think we seldom realize fully It's
meaning O. how valuable thing IL il 10 be
scitizen. From the earliest civilization 10 be
Q citizen has been to be free man, widowed
with certain privileges and advantages and
entitled 10 the full protection OF the State.
The defence and protection OF personal
rights OF It's citizens has always been the
paramount and most important duty OF a
free, enlightened government. And per-
haps no government has this sacred trust
more In its keeping than this-the best and
freest Of them all; for here the people who
are 70 be protected are the source Of those
powers which they delegate upon the ex-
press compact that the citizen shall be pro-
tected. For this purpose we choose those
who for the time being shall manage the
machinery which we have set up for our
defence ara safety.
"And this protection adheres TO us in all
lands and places as an incident OF citizen
ship. Let but the weight OF sscriliglous
hand be put upon this sacred thing and
great, strong government springs TO w. feet
nstive-born American citizen enjoys his
birthrights. But when in the westward
march OF empire this nation was founded
and took root, we beckoned TO the old
world and invited hither its immigration
and provided a mode by which those who
sought home among us might become our
iellow-citizens. They came by thousands
and hundreds OF thousands; they came
and
'Hewed the dark old woods away,
And gave the VIRGIN fields 10 days
they came with strong sinews and brawny
arms TO aid IN the growth and progress OF
new country; they came and upon our
affairs laid their foalty and submission; they
came 10 our temples Of justice and under
Che solemnity OF an oath renowned all ale
glance TO every other State. potentate, and
sovereignty, ard surrendered TO us all the
duty pertaining TO such allegiance. We
have accepted their fealty and invited them
to surrender the protection OF their native
land.
"ADd what should be given them in re-
turn, Maniestly good faith and every
dictate OF honor demands that we give
them the same liberty and protection here
and elsewhere which We voucbsaied 10 our
uative-born citizens. And that this has been
American institutions. 1t needed not the |
statute which Is now the law OF the land |
declaring that 'all naturalzed citizens while !
ia foreign lands are entitled TO and shall |
receive from this Governments the same |
protection Of person and property which f!
Ia accorded TO natiye-b0rn citizens 10 voice |
the policy OF our nation.
ain all lands where the semblance OF |
4, inv Ap - lao ri nf
arrested to 3 speedy accusation ald trial is. |
or ought to be, fundamental law, as il is |
. rule OF civilization. At any rate, we |
hold it to be so, and this is one of the |
rights which we undertake to guar |
mtee 10 any native-born or naSuralzed |
citizen OF ours. whether he be imprisoned |
by order OF the Gar OF Russia or un-
der The pretext OF law administered |
for The benefit OF the lsnded aristocracy |
OF England. We do not claim TO make |
laws for other countries, but we do insist |
that whatsoever those may be they shall, In |
the interests OF human freedom and the |
rights OF mankind, so far as they involve |
the liberty OF our citizens, be speedily adj |
We have q right TO say and do |
say that mere suspicion without examna. |
NON or trial IL not sufficient 10 Justify the |
long imprisonment OF citizen OF America. |
Other nations may permit their citizens TO |
be Imprisoned. Ours will not. And this |
in effect has been solemnly declared by sta |
tute.
ave have met here tonight 10 consider |
this subject and 10 inquire into the cause !
and the reasons and the justice OF the inn |
prisonment OF certain OF our fcllow-citizens |
now held in British prisons without the |
semblance of trial or legal examination. !
Our law declares that the Government |
shall act in such cases. But the people are |
the creators OF the Government. The |
undaunted apostle OF the Christian re- |
li.iOn. imprisoned and prosecuted, APP |
pesllng centuries ago TO the Roman |
law and the rights OF Roman citizenship, |
boldly demanded: is it lawful for you TO |
scourgc n man that is a Roman and uncon- |
d,mncdI' So, too, might we ask, appeal |
ing TO the law OF orr land and the laws OF |
civilization, is ii lawful that these, our |
fellows, be imprisoned, who are American |
citizens and uncondemned! / deem it !
an honor TO be called upon 10 preside at |
such meeting, and thank you for it,"