Speech #470031739

I do not propose to detain the Senate by repeating the points that have been already touched in this discussion. but desire that a vote should le reached upon the measure this evening if possible. One fact strikes me more and more forcibly as my experience of the government of this country is enlarged. that the mere ihet of the vast area over which the Federal Government extends its jurisdiction. prevents the citizens of one part and section from comprehending tri]y the needs. the necessities. the sympathies. the wants of citizens in other parts. and perhaps it is well that it is so. because tite very realization of onr inability. here in our homes upon the Atlantic slope. to comprehend the dangers that threaten the interests that nre involved. the wants that are so keenly felt by our brethren upon the Pacific slope. should instruct us that the greart principle of local selfgovernment. that essential school of the Amencan citizen. the school of freedom and selfreliance. should have its lessons heded. and never was the call for obedience stronger than in the present case. I do not believe the history of the world discloses such an illustration of unanimity of feeling. upon the part of a local population comprehending and expressing its own needs. asis provento us today. on this subject of immigration from China among the American citizens of the Pacific States. Think of it. Senators. at a special election held some four years ago. held by secret ballot. in which any voter without the slightest risk of disclosure. in absohnte secrecy. could register his opinion upon this subjectat an lection heldin the State of California. less than onehalf of 1 per cent. of the voters of that population. expressed their wish for nonuterference with Chinese immigration. and over 991 per cent. testified their abhorrence of itI think I may say that no more unanimous expression of popular opinion can be conceived. and if there is a prcedent of record for it it is unknown to me. Mr. President. those who feel and realize the danger. those who are closely confronted with the fact and its consequiences. are those by whom we should be instructed as to its extent and its reality.