We have assimilited into our citizenship those who have come to our shores willing to assume its responsibilities and its benefits. It is worthy of recognition that two previous Presidents. in addition to President Wilsonone Democrat and one Republicanhave both vetoed this same general bill. No matter what other points may be covered in the bill the literacy test is the one distinctive feature. In view of the history of the country. of the noted men and women who have contributed to its success. who themselves or their parents would have been excluded from coming here had a literacy test been law ought not to I)e r dopted now. Our history is filled with notable examples of the successes which have followed immigration here of illiterates. The State of Massachusetts can offer its share of e.amples. Just. one illustration: A few years ago tills subject was up in Republican State cofivention in Massachusetts. A delegate arose. one of the leading business men of Worcester and at that time its mayor. who said. in effect. " If the literacy test was law I never could have come to this country." This is only one of ninny possible illustrations. The literacy test is unAmerican. undemocratic. unpatriotic. I will gladly support and ghtdlly vote for a moral or physical test of a rigid kind. We want: to exclude from our citizenship those not morally or physically fit. but not those who have lacked opportunity to secure the rudiments of education.
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