Our fathers who formed the Constitution. antI who early adopted a policy. recognized that there were some races peculiarly fitted to participate in this Republic. We have had a national policy as to who should become citizens. I seek to Impress this upon the minds of all: That we have had a fixed. wellknown policy since 1790 to this hour as to naturalization. The act of 1790 provided for the naturalization of " any alien being a free white person." With the amendment to that law which came after the Civil War. that has been the policy of this Republic for now over a century. In 1790 the races existed over the earth substantially where they now live. and that act of 1790 excluded from citizenship practically onehalf of the human race. I am well aware that a very distinguished lawyer. resident in New York. has recently suggested that the men of that day were not acquainted with the Orient. that they knew little of the millions who then lived. and now live. yonder beyond the setting sun. but let no supposition like that be entertained. Anyone familiar with the literature of that period. anyone acquainted with the learning of Hamilton. or of the great Judge Wilson. of lennsylvania. or of Ben Franklin. or of Adams must know that the men of that day were not only great constructive statesmen but that they were profound historians and were familiar with the world and the people thereof. They were well aware of the existence of myriad millions of men living outside of Europe. Wherefore the law of 1790. which limited naturalization or citizenship to a welldefined portion of peoples on the earth. That has been our policy. and until very recent days there has been no one to question the wisdom of that policy. It appeared to the men of that day. as I hope it appears to the men of this day. that here was a Republic set up. and that that Republic called for a certain type of citizenship. Therefore. they adopted. and we have adhered to. that policy. It is true that but recently an ambitious Empire has sought to disturb and break in upon that policy. A subject of the Empire of Japan sought naturalization under existing laws. That effort was defeated. and defeated by the Supreme Court in the case of Ozawa against The United States. which is reported in Two hundred and sixtieth United States reports at page 178. The opinion of the court in the case was written by a former Senator. now Mr.
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