Liberty itself may be forfeited by the commission of crime whereof the party has been duly convicted. I grant also that quarantine laws may be enacted for the protection of the public health. I am not disposed to limit the power of Congress. which may pass naturalization laws. to impose such proper and reasonable terms. such conditions as are essential to the enjoyment of the liberty which belongs to every manto impose such terms and conditions of adoptive citizenship. But FEBRUAR y 17. my experience and observation. both. are that the terms and conditions required of immigrants. persons coming into the United States. as imposed by this bill are essentially and radically unjust. as they impose conditions upon the natural rights of lawabiding men. I have said before that I concede that men hold the right to liberty upon the condition of their obedience to law. and perhaps I may add their ability to support themselves without being a public charge. I concede that those are proper limitations upon the right of migration. the right of leaving an old home and finding a new one. I read from the report: All persons physically capable and over 16 years of age who can not read and write the English language or some other language. I have said that this condition. in addition to being unjust. and one that has its origin in a desire to check and to control immigration. will be found in practice to be absolutely useless. While I have conceded that the United States may exclude dangerous persons from its limits. I have found by somewhat extended observation that the dangerous men who enter the United States. the brawling anarchists. those who would disturb public order. can read and write. and do read and do write. while this will operate upon a harmless and useful class of immigrants. Having said this much in regard to the first section o!. the conference report. I will proceed to note my protest against the fourth section of the bill.
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immigrants immigration naturalization