Speech #680076273

NeW arrivals should be limited to our capacity to absorb them Into the ranks of good citizenship. America must be kept American. For this purpose it Is necessary to continue a policy of restricted Immigration. It would be well to make such Immigration of a selective nature with some inspection at the source and based either on a prior census or upon the record of naturalization. Either method would insure the admission of those with the largest capacity and best intention of becoming citizens. I am convinced that our present economic and social conditions warrant a limitation of those to be admitted. We should find additional safety in a law requiring the immediate registration of all aliens. Those who do not want to be partakers of the American spirit ought not to settle in America. On March 12. 1924. there appeared in the Washington Post. an administration paper. an editorial headed "Speed Immlgratlon Legislation." This editorial indorses the present bill under discussion and. among other things. said: In the earlier years of the Republic immigration was not at a rate that negatived absorption. and most of those who entered did so with Intent and purpose to make. themselves Americans. to attain the American viewpoint and to adopt American ideals and to adapt themselves to the customs and habits of mind of the nation. But in more recent years a large percentage of immigrants have come with differences. For decades now immigrants that have been pouring In have obviously been bent on seizing the opportunities offered by America but without disposition to adapt themselves to the American viewpoint and to adopt American ideals and concepts of government and citizenship in return. The record is crowded with instances in which groups of Immigrants have stoutly resisted Americanism. have resented the suggestion that they acquire the langvage of the land. and have maintained their foreignisms. From their entrance great numbers of them have made it plain by their conduct that they propose merely to take what America has tO give without giving what America should receive. At the present time. in certain areas. immigrants constitute a substantial percentage of the population and. drifting together and holding aloof from Americanization. hold themselves as foreigners in America. These citations are given to show the attitude of the present administration upon this great question and its anxiety for speedy remedial legislation. and further. that this is not a matter of partisan politics. but strictly a great American question. The conditions 4existing li this country. as well as throughout Europe. are such that we must protect America from this foreign menace which is seeking to enter our country.