Speech #550060945

The Irish. the Italians. the Poles. the Scandinavians. and other nationalities that during one hundred and twenty years of incomparable progress have contributed to place this Union in the vanguard of humanity will at the proper time speak for themselves. But I desire. for the moment. to call the attention of the Republicans of this House. and the intolerant elements of the Democratic party also. to the significant nature of these protests. Neither party can escape responsibility if the Lodge bill is enacted. because the proscriptionists of both sides have united to turn from our shores that golden stream of national development. the immigration. that has brought the Star of Empire to the West. Let me say to you that the declarations of Senator LODGE and the assertions of those who advocate his mischievous and futile bill are absolutely without foundation. in fact. when they say that the Germans are not opposed to this measure. The protests herewith submitted represent the bitter opposition of the German Evangelical societies. the Lutheran Evangelical congregations. the German Roman Catholic communions. the German Mennonites or Quakers. and the German Methodists. as well as every singing society and all the affiliated associations. both lay and clerical. of the GermanAmerican citizens of the United States.