Speech #620267238

Here is a brief extract from the report of Secetary Nagel. of the Department of Commerce and Labor: I believe it is intended as a piece of legislation for wholesale excluion. and I dont believe in that kind of legislation. If you want to xclude certain nationalities. say so. and meet the issue squarely. I ont believe literacy is a fair test for the admission of an immigrant. will say again what I said a year ago. that I care more for the ound body and the sound mind. and the straight look out of the eye. ad the ability and willingness to work. as a test than any other test bat can be given. In his veto message in 1897 President Cleveland said: A radical departure from our national policy relating to immigration s here presented. Heretofore we have welcomed all who came to us rom other lands. except those whose moral or physical condition or hisory threatened danger to our national welfare and safety. Relying upon the jealous watchfulness of our people to prevent injury to our political and social fabric. we have encouraged those coming from foreign countries to cast their lot with us and join in the development or our vast domain. securing In return a share in the blessings of American citizenship. Presidentelect Wilson. writing to Dr. Adler. says: * * * I am In substantial agreement with you about the immigration policy which the country ought to observe. I think that this country can afford to use and ought to give opportunity to every man and woman of sound morals. sound mind. and sound body who comes in good faith to spend his or her energies in our life. and I should certainly be inclined. so far as I am concerned. to scrutinize very jealously any restrictions that would limit that principle in practice. * * * Here is part of a great speech on this question by Hon. Bourke Cockran: We who oppose the educational test believe the man who works with his hands. who is trained to efficiency in labor. Is the desirable immigrant. The test that we wish to Impose is one that will establish his ability and his willingness to work. * * * There is not a vicious man in any community outside of the poorhouse that is not muore or less educated. Hle can not live by his wits rather than by his hands unless those wits are trained to some extent. Any unlettered immigrant shows that he must have virtuous instincts by the very fact that he conmes here. for he can have no other purpose than to support life by his toil. Among others who oppose this proposed legislation are Cardinal Gibbons. exPresident Eliot. of Harvard University. President Himmel. of Georgetown University.