President. I shalh detain the Senate from a vote but a very few usoments. I am quite unwilling to place myself on record as against the power of this Government. shoicid it become necessary. to prohibit all immigration to this country. I foresee that the time may come before the next generation comes and goes. when it may no longer be desirable that large numbers shall be encouraged to come here from abroad. But the difficulty that I have about this bill is in relation to the two treaties that we have with China. The question arises in my mind whether this bill is in harmony and good faith with the two treaties that we have made with the Empire of China. and whether we do not leave it in such position that the Executive will be called upon to interpose. as once before. against the legislation of Congress. g Mr. President. some of our wisest statesmen heretofore have regarded with some apprehension the large amount of foreign immigration to this country as threatening to the durability and perpetuity of our Republic. I foresee that that idea is one that is likely to grow. The measure proposed here now is one that has been heretofore entirely unusual in our theory or practice . such as a sudden change of closingthe doors to any people when they have hitherto been wide open.
Keywords matched
immigration