Speech #590088839

Mr. Chairman. I propose when this bill is taken up for consideration by sections. to offer the following amendment to section 9: Strike out In lines 22 and 23 the words " write in. " in line 23. after. the word "or." strike out the word "in." in lines 23 and 24 strike out the words "and who can not read4 speak. and understand the English language. " and insert in line 2. after the word " not." the words " read. write. speak. and understad." so that the same as amended shall read: " That no alien shall hereafter be naturalized. or admitted as a citizen of the United States who can not read. write. speak. and understand his own or the English language: Provided. That this requirement shall not apply to aliens who are physically unable to comply therewith. if they are otherwise qualified to become citizens of the United States." Upon this section of the bill under consideration. providilg that hereafter no alien shall be naturalized or admitted as a citizen unless he can write in his own language or the English language. and who can not read. speak. and understand the English language. is a provision that is unAmerican. unpatriotic. and illadvised for many reasons. It is not the true test of citizenship in any material sense. As*I view the subject. a man may make just as good a citizen. though ignorant and unable to parse a sentence in English as many of those who can do so. and sometimes better. It isnt his ability to master a certain language. or to drill his mind in grammatical construction. that determines his desirability for citizenship. Many aliens come to our shores who have the aspiration present in the breast of all men to better their conditions in life. These immigrants are not familiar with our language. they are poor. uneducated. and downtrodden. they have suffered the tortures of poverty and are struggling to overcome them. and often make superhuman efforts to get to our countrythe promised landin order to get rid of the sorecreating burdens they have borne at home. We claim equality of all mennot by reason of birth. breeding. or favorbut the equality which comes from individual effort. which says to everybody. "Get out and hustle. strive. and fight the battle of existence. and our country will place no stumbling block in your path. place no burden on your shoulders to keep you down because you were of lowly birth. or because you were not lucky enough to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth." The average alien when he gets here takes his personal- belongings on his shoulder and cheerfully turns his face toward the West. the South. or the North. willing to encounter hardships. endure sufferings. and meet privation after privation for his chance to compete with the millions already there. He hasnt anything to fall back on except two brawny hands.