Speech #700123474

Thank you. I desire to say. at the outset. that when I was first elected to Congress I advocated prohibiting all immigration. I still feel that way about. the matter of immigration. I am supporting Judge Boxs bill wholeheartedly. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee. ours Is a democracy and our Government is representative in form. It is our duty its representatives of the people to translate their wishes into law. The immigration problem Is one of the most important with which we have to ilea]. Its importance is more fully realized now than ever before. for the reason titat the World War opened our eyes on this important question. When the United States became involved In the World War and preparations were made for the registering of our citizenship. we found to our surprise and sorrow that we lad millions in the United States enjoying the blessings of liberty and living under the protection of our flag xxho were with us but not of Us. and not for us. This condition ought not to exist. This Congress at this session ought to enact such legislation as will make it impossible for these conditions to continue. Congress is to be congratulated because of the immigration nct anl amendments which have been passed in recent years. but it is my belief that Congress has not gone as far in that direction is a vast majority of the citizens of the United States desire. While Congress was applauded for the act of 1924. yet at that time. in my judgment. the country as tI whole was demanding that all immigration should be stopped for at least a period of five years. Abraham Lincoln once said that " this country could not endure half slave and half free." May I now apply that saying to the present by saying that time United States can not endure half citizen and half foreign? I do not mean to say that those of foreign birth are all bad.