United States Congress Quotes
The petition shall set forth that he is not a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government, or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government, a polygamist or believer in the practice of polygamy, and that it is his intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty
The requirement for citizenship required the applicant to petition—make a true declaration. The issues of that day that Americans were concerned about were anarchy, polygamy, and loyalty to other nations. A century later, terrorism has taken the place of anarchy as the major concern. Polygamy is no longer an issue, and America allowed citizens to have dual citizenships with many other counties.
U. S. Congress, Naturalization Act, June 29, 1906
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
All foreign immigrants were welcome provided they would “renounce” their allegiance to an foreign ruler or religious leader. The latter was really directed at Roman Catholics. European history had many instances where the Pope and the Vatican plotted with different forces to produce armed rebellion in various states to maintain a Catholic Establishment. England and Ireland were both the subjects of Papal revolutionary initiatives and the Americans were well aware of it. Popes and cardinals had ordered good Catholics to take various political positions including what was treason and sedition. The fear of political control of American Catholics motivated the inclusion of Ecclesiastical renouncement to become a naturalized citizen. Also note that it was the States who controlled citizenship at that time and not the Federal Government.
This quotation was very prophetic. In 1952, the Supreme Court upheld the doctrine of dual citizenship {629249} and hundreds of thousands of Americans now carry dual citizenship.
Austin renounced his American citizenship and committed himself to Mexico where he was recruiting American emigrants for settlement in what is now Texas as a Mexican territory. Later, he grew disillusioned with the Mexican government and chose Texas independence.
HF 2598*/SF 2411/CH 391
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a gubernatorial appointment. Members are usually affiliated to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party, and only rarely to a third party or as independents. Congress has 535 voting members: 435 Representatives and 100 Senators.; A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different nations, constituent states, independent organizations, or groups.
