We have before us the most important subject that has been presented at this session of the Fiftyfourth Congress. As the gentleman from Iowa said. it is the only question that has assumed the dignity of a plank in two Presidential platforms. It remains for you. gentlemen of the House. to determine whether we shall go before the people in November next and say to them. "We have donenothing for your interests. we have passed the McCall bill to exclude your friends and relatives. because under the tyranny of European governments they have been beaten down into ignorance. from which they are struggling to emerge". or whether we shall tell them that " under the provisions of the Stone bill fantastic requirements will impede the path of those whose steps are toward the morning". or whether we shall take up this labor measure. presented here by the united indorsement of labor in the United States. and pass a bill which. while it excludes the unworthy and unfit. throws wide the doors of our Republic to every immigrant honestly desiring to cast in his lot with the great forward march of human liberty as exemplified in our national progress. Gentlemen. this is a question which you can not decide upon the basis of pleasing this or that vote. It must be settled on the broad plane of highest American thought. which. while conserving our interests. recognizes our strength. understands our possibilities. and is true to our mission and our destiny.
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immigrant