Speech #680076590

Mr. Chairman. that we are facing a crisis in our policy as a people toward immigration there can be no doubt. We must determine whether the old plan in vogue before the Great War of permitting all to come to our stiores without limit shall be reverted to. whether all further immIgration shall be shut off. whether there shall be a reduction based upon census figures. such as In the extension of the present law. or whether some other solution shall be found. I dare say that no question confronting the country during the entire period of Its history has ever been fraught with such momentous consequences as this one of what new bloods shall be fused with our stock. what new energies shall be added to the future of American life. what new elements shall compete with our labor. and what new points of view shall contribute to our political and social Ideas and ideals. The scientific results of immigration are so exact that our children and our childrens children can not but enjoy or suffer from the effects of what we do at this time. Therefore it devolves upon us to consider all the facts in the broadest and most patriotic light possible. As a member of the Committee on Immigratien. I have tried to do so. I have tried to approach this subject with an open mind. but solely. however. from the viewpoint of what is best for this country of ours and for no other country. I am convinced that what Is for the best interest of the United States on this immigration question may be diametrically opposed to the selfish interest of other countries. We are the greatest immigrantreceiving country In the world today. and probably the greatest in history. Nearly 10.000.000 immigrants have come to our shores during the past 15 years. and during 4 of these 15 years the World War stopped immigration entirely. The vital influence on the history of civilization of the migrations of people can not be minimized and should not be ignored. The Secretary of Labor recently has said: One of the prime factors In the molding of civilization since the days when the first prehistoric man preempted for his dwelling the cave of the bear that he had killed has been the migration of peoples. Throughout the ages. wherever a given race or people has set up a strong. prosperous. comfortable state of life there have flocked the throngs of less advanced races seeking the ease of the better civilization. There is no instance in all history since the Goths. starving and in danger of extinction by their enemies. succeeded In begging their way into the Roman Empire. which does not demonstrate that soon or late the immigrant people overthrow the older civilization. This has not been accomplished by force or by armed invasion. In almost every instance great civilizations have perished through peaceful penetration of aliens who were admitted to do the work of the community.