Speech #630133062

If there are those already here who have no regard for the future wellbeing of Americawho want to throw open our doors to the criminal hordes of other countriesthe sooner we let them and the world know that they do not constitute the dominant force in America and do not speak for the great body of American citizens who would protect the life of this Nation from the dangers that threaten it. the better it will be for our country. In the name of all that is dear to tile Atmerican people I protest against the foolhardy and suicidal course that some would have us pursuethat of throwing our doors open and permitting all classes and conditions to come into our country. The foreign citizen who has cast his lot in our midst for the purpose of bettering his condition and supporting our institutions and contributing to the strength and glory of this Government ought not to allow himself to be used by those who advocate unrestricted. freeforall immigration. for in doing so he is striking at his own. his childrens. and his countrys best interest. Let us say to the steamship companies armd their hired agents. who trump up the scum of the earth to dump upon our shores ili order to furnish traffic to the steamship companies. that their unholy and dangerous work shall stop. that they shall not destroy our civilization and ruin this Government. [Aplause.] The Farmers Union of the United States and the Farmers National Congress and the Federation of Laborin fact. every patriotic order in the countryhave indorsed this bill. Thousands of foreigners come here. not to pay allegiance to this country. but to accumulate money and return with it to their former home. They carry back about $150.000.000 a year. Thousands of them are here in competition with American laborers who have never been naturalized and who do not support our institutions. Last year. when their native lands were involved in war. thousands went home. carrying what money they could and fought in the wars of foreign countries. Mr. Chairman. something must be done to restrict immigration. The fiscal year ending June 30. 1913. 1.400.000 had come to America. For the last four months 600.000 have conic. and at that rate. unless something is done to prevent it. this year will find 1.800.000 foreigners landing upon our shores.