Speech #680076464

Mr. Chairman. perhaps no Member of this House may be more warranted than myself in opposition to legislation designed to discriminate against any people of any particular race or religion who may be seeking the boon and the blessing of citizenship under the flag of our liepublic. And I am persuaded none here will now approach the problem of building immigration regulations with more perfect freedom from racial or religious prejudices. I am in the blood line of a people for long sorely persecuted by bigots in the realms beyond the sea. In search of a land upon which they might build their modest meeting houses. and there worship God in their own quiet way. they began soon after the dawn of the seventeenth century to transfer themselves to the American shores. where they hoped to find full right to worship and protection in e..erclse of their right to worship God In their own manner find design. Then. as now. there were those on American soil who were Instant in effort to prevent the coming to American shores of all "undesirables." Behold in me the offspring of "undesirables" of the vintage of more than 200 years ago. I want to play In my legislating here the best part I may in behalf of my country and her people. Some who either can not or will not understand my attitude with reference to the pending legislation have branded me as One ready to throw down all immigration bars. On the contrary. I am ready at this moment to join my fellow Members here In the passage of legislatia to absolutely bar all immigration for a term of three or five years. so that America may have a breathing space in which to assimilate the immigration of recent years. This statement ought to instantly remove me from the list of pleaders for "undesirable" Immigration. and if any shall doubt my sincerity In making this declaration let him offer to this bill ei amendment to bar all immigration for a term of three or five years. and listen carefnlly when the Clerk shall call my name. and hear me give my favorable vote to such an amendment. But I do not like the pending bill. My opposition does not run against any provision of the bill which lessens the volume of immlgration. generally. but with heart and soul I protest against the bill because it discriminates against the entry of certain aliens of particular racial and religious mold. Men will be hea d to say that this bill does not seek to enact ench discrlminatgry regulations. but all men know that in basing future admission of immigrants upon the ancient quota base of 1890 the fact of such discrimination Instantly appears. I have been glad that in all the discussions of this measure here no gentleman has touched the hem of the garment of racial or religious prejudice. That fact is high compliment to the pure Americanism of the membership of this House.