Speech #470030225

By this new theory the right of expatriation is exalted into a higher law than treaties or constitutions. I do not regard it as necessaxy or profitable to enter into a discussion of this doctrine at this time. The right and power of a nation to protect itself against the introduction of any class of immigrants or invaders whom it tIy regard as either dangerous to its peace aud happiness or undesirable fton any other cause has not been questioned by any jurist or writer on international law of eminence. or who is recognized as authority. Selfpreservation is the foundation principle of tse constitution of uations. The law of selfpreservation. if not the higher law. antedates ill other human laws. and is instinctively recognized by all peoples as a fendamental law of national life. A people deprived of the powerto exercise the right of selfpreservation cannot lie said to lie a nation. Now. as to the policy of this Government in respect of immigratioa. Is it true that the invitation has been general without discrimination as to the varieties of nen who have been encouraged to come I The naturalization laws of a nation illustrate its policy Upon the subject of immigration. When these are liberal. innuigration is encouraged. when they are stringent and obstructive. inmigration is discouraged and not desired. In the days of Romes greatest power. no foreigner could be uaturalized unless lie had rendered eminent service to the Roman state. and theo only by a vote of the senate. In the prosperous days of the Athenian republic no foreigner could become a citizen of Athens except by a vote of the electors twice had. and then only in case the applicant received over 6.000 votes at the second election. After destructive wars had depleted the armies of both these nations. and immigrants were desired to reenforce their ranks. the rigor of the naturalization laws was relaxed and citizens were made of Toreigners aimiostwithout limit. So in allcountries. the encouragemeot given to imnmigration is measured by the state of the naturalization laws. The Chinese and other oriental colored people have never been encouraged to come by our naturalization laws. They never could upon any conditions become citizens of th United States snder our lawa. The policy has therefiore been a policy of discrimination as practiced by our Governinent. and not only so. but a diseriminabion against particular races. Was it without reason 1 There was and is not only this race discrimiuation against the Chinese in our naturalization laws. but also in the treaty with China known as the Burligame treaty. which contains aim express provision against the naturalization of Chinese in the United States. This was and is notice to all Chinese that they would not and will not be admitted upon the terms accorded to immigrants from European countries. Io dealing with any other people such a notice would have disenoiraged ititigration. lBnt why ilis discrimination as against the Chinese? It was because they are unfit for the responsibilities. duties. and privileges of American citizenship.