The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-07
As TO citizenship.

San Gabriel. Texas. June 81 would b'
the last to refuse aid to the sufferer any
where. but protest against his receiv'
ing 1t "as n right" under title of a citi-
zenship he has never gained. in fact
An alien comes to this country aud, re-
nounciug his allegiance to his native land
swears allegiance to the United States.
There should be reciprocity III the rela-
tonship that will then exist between that
man and the country OF his adoption. For
the protection the government guaran-
tees, he should not only be ever ready
and willing, and i'll position to respond to
every demand that may be made upon him
as citizen. but this country should have
all the benefits TO result from his add-
1 ton To our population and which can pos
| sbly accrue from actual residence, his
accumulations helping to swell our Ma
tiona! wealth, as an offset 10 the depletion
OF our oNchequer should he become IA
charge. To such citizens, temporarily
outside our jurisdiction but with domi-
Gle and bona fide citizenship here, /
| would extend the same aid and protec-
| ton due native born subject. But for
one 10 run over 10 the United States, re-
naming hero long enough only to gain a
technical citizenship and then hie him
away back TO the land ne has renowned
| ing this country nothing in exchange for
its guaranty of protection, / must say 1
can not regard him as imbued with rights
we are bound to follow him abroad TO pro
tect.
lie will have my sympathy and individual
AID when possible. the same that all
worthy unfortuuates should have, but en-
tirely independent of his SO called "cltl-
2enship' in the country he does not in
habit. or intends to inhabit
We are suffering enough for our un-
wise foreign immigration policy, carrying
us we are an enormous load OF the worlds
surplus population. without crossing the
waters in search OF suffering aliens who
nave abandoned us that We may succor
'henl from troubles not connected with
their citizenship of our country.
| can not believe our policy in this be-
half should test citizenship by mere ref
ofence to u memoranda in the minutes of
Il court OF record; but it should be, as well,
II question of fact, and after finding the
record ali right, add the query: is he a
detacto citizen of the United States?"
me message of the president asking
appropriation in aid OF american citizens
In Cuba itself negatives the claim that
these sufferers are, in fact, citizens of
this country
By no rule of truth or logic can "agrI-
cultural classes who have been forced TO
abandon their farms" be citizens of any
land except that in which their farms are
situated
natural born subject may have rights
as such subject wherever he may be-. This
Is his birth right; but where one renounces
MS citzesship in the land of his birth
ana assumes the duties and claims the
rights of citizen OF another country he
can render such duty and retain such
rights only by remaining citizen in
fact
think a right Interpretation of our
obligations TO protect any citizen when
beyond cur Jurisdiction should be that
He only is entitled TO protection who Is
an actual bona flde inhabitant, Temporal
ny absent from home" His errand beyond
our lines should he lawful. Travelling for
health, pleasure or in prosecution of law
lui business or enterprise located in this
country, on missionary work strictly
WITHIN the scope of such employment. etc.
surely when one simply swears an alleg-
rance he has not given, nor ever intended
TO give. takes himself his business and
wealth. II any. to another country and
gives TO mat country of his domicile all
Dement'S resulting from actual rosi- |
dence. he is scarcely entitled 10 nrotec.
ton or rescue from environment by which |
ne mas surrounded himself. ON nIen Of !
cltlzenshlp." In case he in any manner
engages in or aids hostlitics against a |
nation win which We are at neace. he Ia |
surely esiopped from claiming protection |
or assistance on account of a citizopshin |
he has never, in good faith, intended TO |
maintain. '''N''Vu 70
am not sure VIC should follow ono M
i've porn to rescue him from difficulties
acquired after abandonment OF His hone
anu certainly would not so follow an alien
wao mas become a citizen technically.
ohly Tor protectlon-and is perhaps stilI n
senior instead of an American "Wr "
ana no more citizen, in fact. than he.
fore the record. w.
l sympathize with tho Cuban peoplo q,
un lgi struggle for Independence and wonld
wllI'hsly aid those who are suffering on
account OF that struggle, but / can NO,
SEQ II right to extend them Nationn, aid
as me citizens they are not. in fact.
Ald suffering humanity by ali means
ielp tho hungry in Cuba as we baw.
ne!psd the famine stricken of other lands
but let not that help be extended Win I,s
a distinction in natIon.
amy whea none exists The clnirs oS
true American citizen are sacred. but how
many OF the agricultural classes driven
from their forms"-homes- Cuba fnn,
~ mo United States are truly "Nmerit
oan cltiaensT' Are they not cItlzons for
, mo'set'on in homes beyond our mrisdic.
VAC.