No doubt many of the people in the cities will begin to say: "Well. if our own people will not cultivate the farms. what is the matter with the industrious Chinese and Japanese? They are good cultivators of the soil. and will work cheaptheir standard of living is not high. let us put them to work. and we shall get what we wantcheaper food. We shall lower the cost of living." It is true there is hostility to oriental immigration now. but sentiment often changes. The cry for cheap food. which has transformed the high protectionists in New England and the Eastern States into free traders in agricultural products which they have to buy. may also transform them into advocates of oriental immigration. The promise of cheaper food will appeal to all the people in the congested centers in every part of the country. and it is not at all improbable that they may espouse the policy of unrestricted immigration for that reason. Once that policy is adopted there will begin a gradual transformation of country life in America. and we shall have a system of agriculture mainly carried on by means of oriental labor. incapable of assimilation. and forming a distinct class. If such a thing should come to pass. it would be the end of popular government and democracy.
Identified stereotypes
Chinese and Japanese people are described as having a low standard of living and being incapable of assimilation.