Speech #450105307

We propose to act in good faith with the government and people. of China and to recognize scrupulously any rights acquired under the treaty and exercised according to law. Bat at the same time. moved by a love for our institutions and a sense of justice to the people of our own State and the States of the Union. we propose to initiate effective measures to correct an existing evil of great magnitude and to avert a danger threatening imminent and most disastrous results to the Pacific States immediately and the whole country ultimately. The restriction upon the introduction of this population into our midst will be opposed because of its alleged antagonism to thepolicy of the Government in the matter of foreign immigration and the spirit of otir institutions. Under the necessities of a new country. we have sought population. and under the generous influence of free government. we have invited strangers to our shores by a naturalization system most liberal. The immigration sought has always been Caucasian. and the invitation has proceeded upon the presumption that the people who might make up the volume of foreign population should not only be of a class which the American people should deem competent for and entitled to citizenship in the Republie. but such as would from race and religious sentiment desire to become not residents only but citizens of the country. such as would seek refuge from oppression ahd want a home and find it in America. on the condition that they should adjust themselves to the institutions of the country and become a permanent and homogeneous element in our populaAon. A part of this honorable responsibility that we have assumed in the interest of oppressed people is the exerciser of a wide discretion in the introduction of new elements into our population and civilization--such a discretion as will effectually prevent the demoralization of the one and the corruption of the other. The late modification of the naturalization law thit extends its benefits to the African race was not made because population from Africa was desired or expected. but as a necessary incident to the enfranchisement and protection of the millions of Christianized and Americanized people of that race who already were in our midst. The Mongolian. especially the Chinese. unwilllng.to become a citizen apparently. and essentially incapable of assimilation to our institutions seeing on our soil a point of trade for profitable money return. (all the benefits of which will acec to a foreign and distant people.) and specifically denied citizenship by our laws because deemed unworthy of it. was never intended to be the recipient of the benefits embraced in the American policy. so much commended. yet so much misunderstood. There is. therefore. judging the policy and institutions of our people on the question of immigration by the laws and practices of the country. nothing unworthy.ungenerous. or unAmerican in the pending measure. Within the limitations that I have suggested and for the reasons stated I appreciate and indorse the great and humane sentiment that this country should be the home of the oppressed and downtrodden of other countries. that it should be the asylum of those who come here to better their condition. and all those who would flee from the iron yoke eof despotism to escape tyranny. oppression. and religious persecution shall ever be welcome. To all such our doors are wide open and our generous laws accord them equal protection with us.