Speech #700190945

The only thing that is pleasing to me is that neither the gentleman from Texas nor the gentleman from Florida speak for the Democratic Party or even for their respective States. I do not like to abridge the privileges of Members. but I feel that in the near future in the interest of the dignity of the House some action will be necessary to preclude and prevent speeches and charges that have no foundation and are made only. as I have stated. to create prejudice and resentment against millions of our foreignborn people who are being maligned in that way without having any opportunity to answer these scurrilous charges and accusations. For years these professional prohibitionists and paid lobbyists and undercover KuKlux dictators have had a free hand in distributing falsehoods by their lying propaganda so as to close the doors of the United States to immigration. and anyone who has dared to oppose their program of discrimination was charged with favoring the opendoor policy so that millions. as they charge. of undesirable immigrants could swarm into the United States. and this notwithstanding that they know that there are no such efforts being contemplated on the part of anyone. I. who for 22 years have been a member of the Immigration Committee. have always opposed harsh and discriminatory imamigration legislation. but have not been. and am not now. for the opendoor policy. I have stated many times on this floor that I recognize the present policy of this Nation to restrict immigration which will remain the policy of our Nation for many years to come. but I opposed. and still do oppose. the willful and deliberate discrimination which keeps the doors wide open to Great Britain. Canada. the British possessions. and Mexico. and deliberately and willfully cuts down immigration from all the other nations of Europe to an unwarranted. negligible nunyber on the false theory of these peoples inferiority. Anyone who has studied conditions in Washington on the question of inmigration. and is not blind to the facts. can not help but know that we are pursuing a British immigration policy. and this is what I am opposed to. I favor an American immigration policya policy which would be fair and just to all. Anyone who is familiar with the history of America and its development must recognize that the German. Irish.