Speech #810322129

It is apparent to me that the language just quoted. namely. "to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law or to perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States." makes ample provision for conscientious objectors. since persons in this latter class have never been required to bear arms in violation of their consciences. However. to make doubly sure that the true conscientious objector. even though he be an alien applying for the high prize of citizenship. would not be required to take an oath in violation of his conscience in order to obtain American citizenship. the present oath. which makes no provision for bearing arms. or engaging in noncombatant service. is to be available to those persons who. by reason of religious training and belief. cannot in good conscience promise either to bear arms or to engage in noncombatant service. In order to limit the use of the present oath by those who conscientiously object to the bearing of arms. or to engaging in noncombatant service. there is a provision in the bill that a conscientious objector must show to the satisfaction of the naturalization court by clear and convincing evidence that he is opposed to the bearing of arms or the engaging in noncombat service by reason of religious training and belief. Thus. Mr. President. we will be adhering to the timehonored practices and precedent of recognizing the bona fide religious convictions of a petitioner for naturalization while at the same time making no exception for those aliens who desire the benefits of United States citizenship. but who would shirk its responsibilities. We come now to the last principal provision of the bill which amends the nationality law. Section 304 of the Nationality Act requires that every alien before he is naturalized upon his own petition must be able to speak the English language. unless he is physically unable to do so. At the present time many of the courts are requiring that applicants appearing for citizenship shall be able to read simple English. They are taking this stand on the ground that where an alien has lived in the United States for a considerable number of years and has made no effort to learn to read even simple English words he has failed to satisfy the requirement that he has been attached to the principles of the Constitution. and that he is well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.