I'm not a lawyer, but in my casual reading of the article:
In fact, the 13th Amendment makes it very clear that any person within the ranks of government holding public office, found to have a title of nobility or to be accepting 'honors' must lose his position and FORFEIT HIS CITIZENSHIP to the United States
it seems the intent was to prevent lawyers and others in power in government from being influenced by favors from leaders in other governments, particularly England.
If I recall my history correctly:
Maryland 12- 25-1810
Ohio 1-31-1811
Kentucky 1-31-1811
Pennsylvania 2-6-1811
Delaware 2-2-1811
New Jersey 2-13-1811
Vermont 10-24-1811
Tennessee 11-21-1811
Georgia 12-13-1811
North Carolina 12-23-1811
Massachusetts 2-27-1812
New Hampshire 12-10-1812
We were at war with England at this time (1812), and emotions were running high. I'm reading the John Adams book, and I know that jealousies and animosities ran high against the US long after we set down our arms against the Brits.
My reading of the situation is that some in government for some reason felt that anyone accepting priveliges from a foreign concern needed to be treated as a traitor.
Isn't that what we all said about Clinton, and his dealings with the Chinese and James Riady?
No? It's just something they call themselves?
Glad we cleared that up. That didn't take long, did it?