Indeed, State courts naturalize more than the United States courts. But Congress should not allow State courts to naturalize at all, because such monstrous frauds have been perpetrated by them in some of the States.

5. In addition to what we have said on this subject, it should be stated that an alien must, in all cases, have lived in the country five years before he can be admitted to citizenship. But in 1862 an act was passed making an exception to this requirement in favor of any person who was twenty-one years of age, and had enlisted, or who should thereafter enlist in the army, and be honorably discharged therefrom. In such cases, a good moral character, with one year's residence, without any previous declaration of intention, was sufficient. Our naturalization laws require good moral character in all cases of those who apply for admission to citizenship. But the courts have been exceedingly remiss in this matter, and almost everybody who makes application is admitted to this exalted privilege without any regard to the character of the appli

cant.

The law requires that if an alien has borne any title of nobility in the country from whence he came, he must renounce such title before he can be made a citizen of the United States.

6. There is an exception to what is above stated in the definition of an alien; that is, that he is one who was born in some foreign country. A child may be born out of the United States; yet if its parents, at the time of its birth, were citizens, the child is also a citizen by

virtue of its parent's citizenship, and, consequently, never needs naturalization to possess all the rights it would have, had it been born in the United States.

7. In this connection another provision of our naturalization laws should be noticed; and that is, that children born in a foreign country, and of foreign parentage, become citizens of the United States without personal naturalization, upon the following conditions: First, that they came into the country before they are twenty-one years of age; and Second, that their father became a naturalized citizen before they have reached that age-that is, the naturalization of the father makes all his children citizens who reside in the country, and are under the age of twenty-one at the time of the parent's naturalization. This is a very liberal provision of the law in favor of the minor children of those who become citizens.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Neutrality Laws.

1. THE neutrality laws of the United States, like those of other nations which have enacted them, have the same design and are intended to accomplish the same object; which is, to preserve peace, and to maintain friendly relations with other nations, States or powers. It is the duty, the interest, and should be the policy of all governments, to live in peace with other nations, whenever it can be done without the sacrifice of honor or self-preservation. It is the duty of every government so to control the actions of its own citizens or subjects, as not to allow them to perpetrate such acts towards other governments as would tend to embroil the two countries in a war, or to disturb their friendly relations and intercourse.

The most civilized and enlightened nations have for this purpose enacted neutrality laws, which if obeyed by the citizens of the country that enacts them, do much to prevent wars and unfriendly feelings between

nations.

2. A single illustration will, perhaps, place the whole scope, design and nature of neutrality laws in a clearer light, than a verbose recital of, or commentary upon their provisions. Our illustration may be thus put; A, B and C, we suppose to be three different nations. A and B are at war with each other, but both on friendly terms with C. Now C, by her neutrality

laws, prohibits her citizens or subjects within her territory from enlisting or fitting out men, or organizing any expedition by sea or land to aid either of the belligerent nations, A or B; because this would be a hostile act towards the other, and might lead to a war between it and C.

The neutrality laws of the United States, now in force, were enacted in 1818, and are very similar in their provisions to laws of other nations upon the same subject, and are declaratory of the pre-existing laws of nations.

3. These laws, however, do not prohibit the citizens of the United States from leaving their country, and then enlisting or engaging in war upon either side. It does not prohibit a citizen from leaving his country; and after he has left it, the government has no control over him. Hence, in spite of neutrality laws, it is no uncommon thing to find the subjects of governments engaging in a war against a nation with which their own government is at peace. The violation of the law consists in accepting an office, or enlisting, or procuring enlistments or fitting out expeditions by sea or land, while in the United States.

By our law this is declared to be a high misdemeanor, and is punishable by fine and imprisonment. The President of the United States is authorized to employ either the land or naval force of the country to prevent any hostile expedition against any nation, state, colony or people, which are at peace with us.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Elections.

1. ONE of the cardinal principles upon which our government is founded, and one to which the people adhere with the greatest tenacity, is that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed; and although all the people cannot in person be present to approve or to disapprove of the laws by which they are to be governed, yet under our form of government we approximate as nearly to such a condition of things as is practicable. This is effected by the Representative system. A few are chosen who represent the wishes and sentiments of the many

The men chosen to make and administer our laws, are not so chosen from the personal regard the people have for them; but for the principles they are known to entertain, and which correspond with those of the people who choose them. The Representative is bound to carry out the sentiments of those who elect him, and to do what they would do if they acted for themselves.

2. From this principle it becomes a matter of the first importance to know what the will of the people is in regard to the various questions which arise from time to time, relating to the policy of the government, and the laws to be enacted to carry out that policy. The means used to determine these questions are our elections. These are looked to with great interest,