Speech #700066714

I certainly feel that it is very much wiser to take the attitude that we will accept postponement now. and then repeal the bill at the next session. than to say that we will nave "repeal now or nothing." when in this case "nothing" means that the nationalorigins clause will actually go into operation. After all. the real object is to prevent the operations of that most pernicious quota provision. In the meantime the country is becoming well acquainted with the viciousness of this provision and I feel very certain that by the next session of Congress sentiment will be such that the law can be easily amended and the nationalorigins clause stricken out of the immigration act. I most heartily favor the principles of restricted and selected immigration. Immigration is purely a domestic matter. and at the present rate of increase in population in the United States it is very necessary to call a halt to general influx of other peoples. The best test of those desired is the proportion of those foreign peoples who. have come into this country and shared in its upbuilding. The present quota basis establishes that very nicely and is for the best interest of all the people of this country. It is not desirable. nor would it be humane to entirely shut out immigration nor is it wise or desirable to artificially change the proportionj of those people who will come into this country from the proportions of those people who came and did the most for building up of this great Republic. If the nationatorigins clause is put into effect. it would ilitate particularly against the Germans. Irish. and Scandinavian peoples. It is these very peoples who have formed- the backbone of the development of the great Northwest. They assimilate readily and make the most loyal and substantial American citizens. Almost without exception they become naturalized and take an active and intense interest in civic affairs. both locally and nationally. From these peoples have come some of our greatest statesmen and leaders. I think it is only fair to serve notice. however. that while ire are accepting poistponement now that we intend to repeal this nationalorigins provision at the next session of CongTess and that we have no intention of longer temporizing on this question.