Speech #650008826

In the first place I want to say that I am in favor of retaining in America all persons of foreign birth admissible under our laws who come here with good intent and with the purpose to make of themselves lawabiding Americon citizens. I realize. as eeyone mst. that our industries..our railroads. our public works demand men who can perform manual labor. and I would have every proper person who comes with good intent to be an American citizen . but I think oneof the menaces that confront our American institutions is the keeping in small groups of people of foreign nationality who retain unAmerican ideas. who do not seek to take up with American ways of living. Therefore it would seem to me that the first thing we want to impose upon those who are foreign born who come to America Is that they shll learn of our institutions. that they shall acquaint themselveswith our" form of government. and that they shall become Americans in fact and not remain alien residents of America. I think this because not alone in our industrial interests but in the great de7 yelopment of our civilization we .want it understood that America welcomes all who come with good intent. " If they do not care to come within the Government of America. if they caire to remain outside. if they do not avail themslelves of our.great advantages. if they do not want to become American citizens. if they stay here in the United States of America and yetreiiain subjects of a foreign monarchy then I say that the first duty.of American citizens is to see that these men are made responsive to the government to which they adhere. And so when we come to the great question of preserving our national defense and asserting American rights I would say that I welcome the .foreignborn man fighting for the defense of theUnited.