I desire to say just a single word before casting my vote in relation to this matter. My first disposition was to oppose the pending amendment. because. of course. I am cognizant of the fact. as pretty much every man of ordinary intelligence in the United States is. that there is at the present time a reaction against the immigration law which I am happy to say that I had a share in framing. and which. In my humble judgment. marked the beginning of a great epoch in the history of this country. The time will come. in my opinion. when that immigration law will be deemed a law of equal dignity with the petition of right and the habeas corpus act as a truly conspicuous and significant landmark in our national history. So. when this amendment was first called to my attention. I asked myself whether it might not be a rat hole in the dike that lets in the ocean. I have not the slightest doubt that behind Itnot. of course. so far as the Senator from New York is concerned. because I know that he was an earnest if not an enthusiastic supporter of the present immigration lawthere is unquestionably at work a widespread effort to bring about the repeal. or at any rate the radical modification. of the present imlnigration law. There are all sorts of influences in this country Inimical to that law. First of all. there are those ethnic. those nationalistic. those racial feelings that are so strongly cherished by recent immigrants to this country from many countries abroad. and then there is some sectarian bias against it. but it is my opinion that the great mass of our people. whatever their origin or sect. are unreservedly in sympathy with that wise and salutary law. But. Mr.
Identified stereotypes
Recent immigrants strongly cherish ethnic, nationalistic, and racial feelings.