CITIZEN, persons. One who, under the constitution and laws of the United
States, has a right to vote for representatives in congress, and other public
officers, and who is qualified to fill offices in the gift of the people. In a
more extended sense, under the word citizen, are included all white persons
born in the United States, and naturalized persons born out of the same, who
have not lost their right as such. This includes men, women, and children.
2. Citizens are either native born or naturalized. Native citizens may fill any
office; naturalized citizens may be elected or appointed to any office under
the constitution of the United States, except the office of president and
vice-president. The constitution provides, that " the citizens of each state
shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the
several states." Art. 4, s. 2.
3. All natives are not citizens of the United States; the descendants of the
aborigines, and those of African origin, are not entitled to the rights of
citizens. Anterior to the adoption of the constitution of the United States,
each state had the right to make citizens of such persons as it pleased. That
constitution does not authorize any but white persons to become citizens of the
United States; and it must therefore be presumed that no one is a citizen who
is not white. 1 Litt. R. 334; 10 Conn. R. 340; 1 Meigs, R. 331.
4. A citizen of the United States, residing in any state of the Union, is a
citizen of that state. 6 Pet. 761 Paine, 594;1 Brock. 391; 1 Paige, 183 Metc. &
Perk. Dig. h. t.; vide 3 Story's Const. 1687 Bouv. Inst. Index, b. t.; 2 Kent,
Com. 258; 4 Johns. Ch. R. 430; Vatt. B. 1, c. Id, 212; Poth. Des Personnes,
tit. 2, s. 1. Vide Body Politic; Inhabitant
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