Yet it must be done. or industry must languish or stop altogether. Shall we by legislation attempt to make it necessary that a large share of this work be done by men already fitted for a higher grade of work? In my judgment. no worse blow could be struck at our skilled laborers and mechanics than to shut off the stream of ablebodied immigrants. Admitting that it would be an industrial mistake to unreasonably restrict immigration. some have argued that in spite of that fact the restrictions of this bill should be imposed for social and political reasons. It is said with much fervid rhetoric that the very existence of our free institutions is threatened by this influx of immigration. I am not at all alarmed. All sorts of dire consequences to our social order are predicted if these illiterate immigrants are not shut out. The Prophet Jeremiah was an optimist compared with some of these gentlemen. Again I say. gentlemen. you do not know these people. Last Saturday. when the gentleman from Massachusetts called the Italian and Hebrew rolls of honor. it was suggested that the immigrants of today are not to be compared with those worthies. You make a serious mistake if you think we are not receiving some excellent material now. not only Italian and Hebrew. but other nationalities as well. Come with me to the city of my home and there call for a list of the men who are doing things worth while. making good in their chosen fields of activity. helping to make city. State. and Nation a better place to live in. High up on the list will be found representatives. not a few of the very people sought to be excluded by this legislation. Some of the very highest places in the learned professions. as well as In business. are held by men of these nationalities. either immigrants themselves or the sons of such immigrants. They are just as good Americans as you or 1. Those of you who have had no opportunity to know such inen can not appreciate them.
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immigrants immigration