Speech #680087284

Under the general leave granted to extend remarks on the pending immigration bill I desire to insert In the RECORD a brief but admirable speech by Mr. JOHNSON of Washington. chairman of the House Committee on Immigration and Naturalization and author of the immigration restriction bill. delivered on .Friday. April 18. before the annual congress of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 1 This speech is a clear and ringing American statement fitly set6ing forth what I believe. and what a nfajority of the Congress 4f the United States believes. to be the true attitude of the American people. Mr. JOHNSONS speech Is as follows: Madame President and Daughters of the American Revolution: The Congress of the United States is this very day passing a restrictive Immigration act. under the terms of which the United States ends forever the idea that It is the asylum for the oppressed of the world. This step has become necessary. We are about to require examination of immigrants overseas. This is to end misery and hardships. and is also for the welfare of the United States. We are about to reconstruct Ellis Island. This is an effort to give the limited number who may come under our 2 per cent of 1890 quota act a little better reception at the front door than others have received In the past. We are about to end an arrangement which Is not part of a treaty and which has caused endless misunderstanding between our people and those of a friendly nation in the Far East. We are vot abrogating a treaty. If we desired to do that. our Government would give the required six mouths notice. By the agreement our immigration from Japan Is regulated by Japan. It Is our sovereign right to regulate immigration to our shores. Our right to say who shall live among us and be of us has been challenged. and our Nation has been threatened with "grave consequences." I say to you that no nation can or till compromise Its sovereignty. This Nation. born of the deeds of your ancestors. will never do that.