Speech #500108724

Mr. Speaker. much in the way of denunciation of the Republican party was said on Saturday last by the gentleman from Indiana on account of the act of July 4. 1864. entitled "An act to encourage immigration." This act provided for the appointment of a commissioner of immigration and three clerks to assist him. whose duty it was to promote and encourage immigration from Europe. and assist and protect the immigrants. It also authorized that contracts made by immigrants from foreign countries to the United States to repay the expenses of their immigration should be valid in law when made in pursuance of regulations prescribed by the commissioner of immigration and should be a lien on their wages for twelve months. with other provisions beneficial to the immigrant. This legislation was had in pursuance of the repeated and urgent recommendations of President Lincoln. who in his annual message to Congress in December. 1863. recommended as follows: I again submit to your consideration the expediency of establishing a system for the encouragement of immigration. Although this source of national wealth and strength is again flowing with greater freedom than for several years before the insurrection occurred. there is still a great deficiency of laborers in every field of industry. especially in agriculture and in our mines. as w11 of iron and coal as of the precious metals. While the demand for labor is thus increased here. tens of thousands of persons. destitute of.remuncrative occupations. are thronging our foreign consulates and offering to emigrate to the United States if essential but very cheap assistance can be afforded them. It is easy to see that under the sharp discipline of civil war the nation is 1.cginning a new life. This noble effort demands the aid and ought to receive attention and support of the Government.