Speech #470032017

It was recognized as just and proper legislation. It was the only legislation of the kind. so far as I have been able to ascertain. that was ever attempted by any political party. It established the same rights for naturalized citizens whichwere enjoyed by nativeborn citizens when abroad. And the gentleman from Indiana had a perfect right to maintain for himself and for his party the full credit for that legislation. I have believed for many years that this question of the rights of naturalized citizens was substantially settled by the war of 1812. The doctrine of the right of expatriation has been maintained in the same line by all of the Executives of the United States since then. so far as I know. and it was but an assertion of a principle when this legislation was had. except that it authorized the President of the United States to go to the very verge of war in protecting the rights of naturalized citizens when abroad. Yet this statement of the history of the legislation of the Fortieth Congress and of the principles that were established by its being placed on the statutebooks of this Government and of England caled from the gentleman from Maryland the declaration that my colleague is a statesman who ranks with Marcy. I suppose that that remark was made in all seriousness by the gentleman from Maryland.