Mr. Chairman. my opposition to this bill is based upon grounds of patriotism equal to those of any of the patriotic or labor associations that have advocated its passage. and upon the higher ground of humanity itself. I want no better authority to quote to the gentleman from Alabama . who has advocated this new restriction of immigration. than the great leader of the Democratic Party. Thomas Jefferson. who. In that immortal document. the Declaration of Independence. drafted in my city. set out. among other grievances against the existing King George. thatHe has endeavored to prevent the population of these States. for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners. refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither. and raisIng the conditions of new appropriations of land. We have. all and every one. whether our blood be as blue as that of the very oldest family In the land. descended in some degree from those who came to these shores as foreigners under conditions similar to those whom you propose to forbid today. In this bill. substituted for the socalled Dillingham bill. the committee proposes to do what. boiled down In the crucible. is just this: To exclude from the United States. from the opportunities presented here to all of our forefathers and to usAll aliens over 16 years of age physically capable of reading. who can not read the English language or the language or dialect of some other country.
Keywords matched
immigration naturalization