Speech #710027464

I am acquainted with many of the Syrian people in northern Ohio. and I may say for them that their names very rarely appear In the criminal court records. They are industrious. lawabiding. and patriotic. As soon as possible they become naturalized American citizens. Their children are taking an honorable place in the public schools and they. whether as merchants. laborers. or In whatever capacity. are becoming an integral and helpful part in our cosmopolitan population. I much regret the statement made by the Senator from Pennsylvania. and at the same time I must say that the letter just read is a little stronger in some of its adjectives than I would altogether approve. but it is very natural that the writers should be extremely sensitive about the attack and should answer with some degree of bitterness. In regard to the general proposition pending. It seems to me best that we adopt legislation postponing the operation of the nationalorigins plan and give to the subject of immigration a very careful consideration. Our immigration laws and policies are seriously in need of adjustment. I can not see my way clear to vote for the nationalorigins plan. It seems to me that the plan based on the census of 1890 is. in the first place. very much more practicable in its application and is more thoroughly representative of the citizenship of the United States at this time. An unfortunate issue has been raised in the way of accusation that racial prejudice is involved in one plan or the other. I am not going to take the time of the Senate to eulogize this or that nationality. In the adjustment of immigrants coming to this country and to American life there has been a very wide difference in the promptness with which those coming from abroad have become real American citizens. Indeed there are certain classes. especially from Asia. that we felt it necessary to exclude altogether. But no man can deny that in peace and in war in all the various activities of American life the immigrant who has come to this country through all the period of American growth has made a very valuable contribution to the upbuilding of the country.