Russian. Ruthenian. and Slovak. and so much has been said about the hordes of illiterates. the pauper invasion. the scum of Europe. and these expressions have in the main been applied so frequently of late to this race that they have with constant parrotlike repetition stereotyped themselves into the public mind as typifying the mental and moral status and general undesirability of these peoples as prospective Americans. And while I agree with the first citizen of the United States when he says "that we can not have too much immigration of the right sort and we should have none whatever of the wrong." I protest against the attempts to classify these races as the wrong sort of immigrants. These races have demonstrated that they make the best of citizens. are lawabiding. willing and able to work. and home seekers and builders to a degree not surpassed by any other peoples. The younger generation is aggressively American. a fact that a study of the names of those who responded loyally to the call of President McKinley in our late war with Spain will verify. Because of these facts. not fancies. the Slav needs no more defense than does the immigrant from any other section of Europe. And I deplore the veiled endeavor to excuse or justify the proposed restrictive legislation on the theory of their alleged unfitness for American citizenship. Mr. Chairman. in conclusion I wish to say that the main provisions of the pending measure relative to the educational test. financial qualifications. and increase of the head tax. if enacted into law. would have the effect of excluding a large percentage of very desirable immigrants. I am opposed to the bill in its entirety. because its operation would eunuch the productive power of our country in all of its elemental phases. and because. in my judgment. it is unnecessary. unjust. and unAmerican. [Loud applause.]
Identified stereotypes
Slavs are law-abiding, willing and able to work, and home seekers and builders.