San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-10-05
Mexicans Entitled IN Vote.


The question of Mexican citizenship has
been generally discussed during the past
two years, and it is evident that our
Mexican citizens are in the dark as to
their standing. The treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo fixes the matter of Mexican citi-
zenship.
MeXicans who fought for Mexican inde-
pendence and the sons of same are citizens
and can vote.
MeXicans who we're here on day of de-
claration of independence and sons of
same; excepting any who had left to
avoid the war or refused to participate,
can vote.
None but these two classes have been
provided for.
Art. of the treaty Guadalupe Hidal-
go, referring to Mexican citizenship,
reads: "Those who shall prefer to remain
in said territories may either retain the
title and rights of Mexican citizens or ac-
quire those of citizens of the U. s. But
they shall be under the obligation to
make their election within one year from
date of the exchange of ratification of the
treaty; and those who shall remain In
said territories after the expiration of
that year without having declared their
intention to retain the character OF Mex
leans, shall be considered to have elected
to become citizens of the U. S."
Article 9 of the treaty further defines
this question: 1.-THE MeXicanS who, in the
territories aforesaid, shall not preserve
the character of citizens of the Mexican
republic, conformably with what is stip-
ulated in the preceding article, shall be
incorporated into The Union of the
United States and be admitted at the
proper time Ito be judged of by the con-
gress of the U. S. to the enjoyment of all
the rights of citizens of the U. s., accord
ing to the principles of the constitution"
This treaty only covers the Mexicans
who were in the state at the date OF an
nexation. The republic of Texas was
permitted such Mexicans as had espoused
her cause to be citizens.
A treaty regulating citizenship of emf
grants was concluded between Mexico
and the U. S. July 1st, 1868. 1t provided
that citizens of either country becoming
citizens Of the other, after the expiration
of five years residence in either country
would be. considered as citizens of the
country of their choice. This treaty was
to prevent the convenient business of
SwappingcitizenShip to suit circumstances.
This same treaty provided: THE declar-
alton to become a citizen of one or the
other country has not for either party the
effect of naturalization"
According to this treaty an intention
paper UOeS DOU DdtuTdllLe MeAlCdu.
1t is plain that according to this treaty
an 'intention paper" does not naturalize
Mexican emigrant. The republic of
Mexico has made this stipulation to pro-
tect itself and the U. s. has agreed to it.
So any Interpretation of our state consti-
tuition admitting Mexicans to naturaliZa-
ton on intention papers is in contraven-
tion of the treaty between the two coun-
tries.
Behind these treaties, which only cover
the Mexicans in Texas at the date of an
nexation, there remains the question of
naturalization of citizens of Mexico, emf
grating into the United States since that
period. Congress has never passed
law regulating the class of Mexican citi
zens who are illegibie to naturalization.
Certain it is that the full blooded Indian
or half breed, or the Chinaman are not
eligible. White men and negroes
are eligible under the terms of
our constitution. The question was
one of great moment at the date of
the admission of Texas; it has been for
gotten since then, but now when our cleo
ton and naturalization laws are COM
manding strict attention, it becomes
question of grave Importance in view of
the lose manner in which citizens are now
made and allowed to vote.