Speech #520047062

I have listened to the discussion of the bill under consideration. especially to the remarks of the Senator from New Hampshire . with a great deal of interest. In my judgment very many momentous things are involved in the matter. This entire question of immigration. its quality. its extent. and in some places its fearful degeneration. afford not only themes for profound thought. but also for profound apprehension. I think it is well for the Senate and the country that the great activity and acumen of the Senator from New Hampshire. as chairman of the Comn~ittee on Immigration. can find ample scope in relation to these problems. It is not alone. Mr. President. a question of immigration from China. but it is a question also of the class and quality of an influx which threatens to come to us frein other places. of its effect upon the integrity of our institutions. upon the unity of our country. I do not wish for a moment to be conceived as at all attacking that great element of immigration out of which we have grown so great. so that this is the land where intelligence. virtue. and adaptability to the principles of selfgovernment can find employmentfor their personal representatives.wherever born I go as far as anybody in acquiescing in the conviction that we can not guard too carefully against the irruptions into our population of those whose racial differences are so great as to set a wide gulf between them and us. which may not be passed. I also shall ask anyone to go as far as I am willing to go towards that other pole of this controversythat we should protect the people of this country against an irruption of crime. unsocial elements. those agencies which are hostile to all governments. republics. or limited or absolute monarchies. This question Is drawing around American intelligence a circle within which we must enter. and within which we must act. This Chinese question is the smallest segment of that circle. We have been compelled to pass laws against undesirable immigration. applicable as well to Europe as to Asia. and much as has been said on this subject. much as attention has been directed to the Chinese aspect of this controversy. I venture to say that more illicit immigrants come into this country every year from Europe through the port of New York. or over the boundary line from Canada. than during the same period come from China by way of the edast of the Pacific. Mr. President.