It was none other than Theodore Roosevelt limself Who. realizing that the basis of good citizenship was a knowledge of English. in his last public message. said: We have room for but one language here. that is the English language. for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans. of American nationality. and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house . and we have room for but one soul loyalty. and that Is a loyalty to the American people. The amendment I have just offered Is for the purpose of aidIng in carrying out the wish of that great American. that ours shall be a Nation of people of one nationalityAmericansand speaking but one languageEnglish. This can only be accomplished by the education of the alien already here and by basing future immigration upon citizenship qualifications. When we stop to consider that there are 14.000.000 foreign born now in the United States. that less than half are natu lalized. that 3.000.000 of the 14:000.000 are not able to speak English. and that an additional 3.000.000 are unable to read English. the size and importance of the work can be appreciwted. The law does not compel an alien residing here to becoime an American citizen. We want no forced citizenship. rather should lie return to his native land.
Keywords matched
immigration foreign born