Again. we are told that while we have a tariff which tends to keep out the production of foreign labor. yet we levy no duty upon the foreign laborer himself when he enters our ports. That is true. More than thirty years ago. when my own State was under Democratic rule. she had for four years a paid agent in Germany soliciting immigration to our State. and this policy of soliciting immigration has been continued by our State until within a few years ago. This policy existed in many other States until recently. Public sentiment is not now. I am glad to say. in favor of encouraging foreign immigration. but no policy has yet been devised. and. in my judgment. will not le devised. which shall prevent honest. intelligent. and ablebodied citizens of other countries whose principles and habits of life are not inimical to our form of government from seeking a home in our country. where they seek such home for the purpose of becoming part and parcel of our citizenship. Our freetrade friends do not object to the productions of these people when in Europe coming here to supplant the productions of our own people. but. sir. if their productions are to be consumed by our peopleI prefer that they should produce them here rather than in Europe. then their wants are supplied. and they are fed and clothed by the productions of our own people. instead of being fed and clothed by the productions of Europe. When here they help to enlarge our home market. but when abroad they simply help to supply our home markets.
Keywords matched
immigration