Speech #600006427

I have employed them for the last thirty years. I have employed from 100 to 300. and at times a larger number than that. I know their honesty of purpose and that 90 per cent of the immigrants coming to this country come with an honest endeavor to better their condition. They come here with a will power and stamina that tells. They come here because of that instinct and ambition in their nature to better their condition. and in some instances they outstrip our American boy. but I want to be correctly understood that there is no American truer to the American flag and cause of American labor and the just payment for the toil of American sons because it is his birthright than SAMUEL MCMILLAN. But at the same time I want no one brought to this country who is not a worker. I do not want atheists or anarchists or nihilists (or any other ists). except " workists." But when I think of what the iumigrant has done for Pennsylvania and for the city of Philadelphia in contributing to its wealth and the mere pittance of $250.000 asked for to build an entrance gate to welcole them. I ask where would your furnaces have been puddhid. where would your mines have been dug and worked. wihere Would your great iron industries and constructions that now tower and almost kiss the heavens have been were it not for the immigrants? Hlow many Americans today are working in the mines. how many are in the rolling mills? Ask yourselves that. gentlemen.