We want them to have as completely as possible the rudiments of education. we want them to know how to read and how to write. and to understand the history of the country. and all that. It is another thind when you propose to reverse the traditional policy of the United Statesto impose an educational test. applicable to adults. which is to exclude them and their children from our shores. Immigrants. in the years gone by. it must be remembered. have been of overwhelmingimportance to us. to our upbnilding. and even to the preservation of our national life. W~e should not be overstic. but strict enough. and I think I yield enough this principleand the principle is obviouswhen I say that if a person who can read comes over the sea. if he is a srong man. if he comes with his family to make his home among us and to obey our laws. if he is not within the class of people who have heretofore by our laws been excluded. weshould let him in if he can read our Constitution. without sending him back until he can also learn to write it. The Senator said if I would allow him to interrupt me he would allow me to read this. which. upon manyquestions. is a "constitution" i a pary sense. and that he would obey it.
Keywords matched
Immigrants