Mr. Speaker. that I shall take that for a starting point in what I have to say. On the broad principles laid down in this debate. we should admit every immigrant. no matter what his character might be or how our own power of assimilation might be overtaxed. On these principles the exclusion of the Chinese was a wanton outrage. I. however. believe that even if our ancestors did come from abroad. yet. having set up a government for ourselves. it is our duty to look out for its welfare just as much as if we had spontaneously sprung from this soil. To say that because we are a nation of immigrants. as nearly all other nations have been. we should place no restriction on immigration. is a good deal like saying that because Rome was founded by bandits it should therefore forever have been an asylum for the criminals of every nation. We are to do all those things which are necessary to preserve our liberties and our civilization. Even if we are. as might be inferred from some of the broad principles laid down here. a great charitable organization. an international soup kitchen. for the benefit. primarily. of the rest of the world. we should yet do what is necessary to keep our charity shop running to the best advantage and not adopt such utterly loose and unbusinesslike methodss would speedily make us the objects and not the dispensers of charity.
Keywords matched
immigrants immigration immigrant