Speech #610103375

The English are of the same stock as we are. and are eminently fitted for the exercise of citizenship in a republic. Whoever has studied the character and country of those who come from Denmark. Norway. and Sweden can never dread the effect of such immigration. They come from a cold and rugged country and they make bold and Independent citizens. Like the Germans. they are excellent farmers and love home and country. But in more recent years our immigration has undergone radical changes. Instead of the Germans. English. Irish. and Scandinavians. we are getting almost our entire immigration from Italy. Russia. and AustriaHungary. It is well that we look to those countries and to immigration from those countries with a view to ascertaining if immigration from thence is likely to strengthen and make safer our free institutions. What I say here. Mr. Chairman. is not actuated by prejudice against any part of our foreign population. I would prefer their good will. but above all I prefer to serve and help. to save this Republic: Looking directly into the internal condition of countries furnishing our immigration. I find that those countries which were formerly our chief source of supply are highly educated peoples. and that the percentage of illiteracy is small. My data are taken from the report of the Commissioner of Education and the figures are for adults only and were compiled either from army recruits or marriage certificates.