Speech #530144510

I will state that on the matter of immigration I have very pronounced opinions which I have no disposition to hide from any citizen of the Republic. Something has been said about the humanitarian idea in connection with immigration. It has been suggested that this is a proposed tariff law dealing with inanimate things. and that the subject of immigration dealswith animitt6 thingsmen. women. and children. So far as I am concerned I balieve in applying the humanitarian idea to our own people. A bale of goods is unloaded from a European vessel upon which we exact a duty.but the same men under existing law who made that bale of goods can come into our own country without paying anything for the privilege of coming here. Aman engaged in that same manufacture can find employment at lower wages than are being given to American mechanics and workmen and can manufacture those goods and put them upon the market in competition with the products of American artisans. Therefore. I am prepared now and at any time to vote any proper qualifica. tion or exemption so far as foreign immigrants are concerned with a view of protecting our own people. not only from goods manufactured abroad. but from goods manufactured on our own soil by aliens seeking a shelter under the laws of our Republic. So far as the amendment I have just submitted is concernd I have but a few words to say. The Canadian question has been very fully discussed during this long and interesting debate.