The prime necessity of the country is not linguists. but laborers. I do not think a glib tongue. even though it be glib in many languages. is half as good a passport for admission as a calloused hand well used to labor. Above all. the House should consider carefully the whole relation of immigration to industry and to citizenship before this first step is taken toward consummating the very grave change in our traditional policy. which the gentleman from Washington foreshadows. I do not think anyone will question that immigration should either be forbidden or it should be allowed. If it be desirable to restrict it. as the gentleman from Washington contends. why would it not be still more desirable to prohibit it? When it is prohibited we will. with respect to foreign intercourse. be in the position formerly occupied by Thibet and Korea. and by Japan when Commodore Perry forced open her ports 70 years ago.
Keywords matched
immigration