Speech #820200456

For we are not concerned merely with the proper distribution of some 150.000 quota numbers each year. Let us be clear about the fact that this Is not specialinterest legislation. or a measure drawn to meet a specific problem at a given time. We are here concerned with a bill which. for the first time since 1911. proposes to redefine this countrys immigration policy in all of its ramifications. And in my considered opinion. the major argument against H. R. 5678 is the evidence of history and of conscience that it represents a repudiation of some of the most basic and timetried principles underlying the American idea. Let us remember. today. that this is not the first time that Americans have been called upon to consider this type of legislation. The first organized attack on the immigrant occurred during the administration of John Adams. when the Congress enacted a series of laws which are remembered in history as the repressive measures of his administration. The Naturalization Act. with its provision to increase the requirement for citizenship from 5 to 14 years was clearly an attack on those immigrants and refugees who. because of political upheavals in France and the British Isles. had come to America. These debates Indicate that some men of that time wanted to deprive the immigrants of all political rights. Others were content to keep them from holding office. Then. as now. the argument was that national security considerations required such measures. But. as we all know. the laws were speedily repealed after the Jeffersonians won the election of 1800. and time proved that the little band of fearful men responsible for the repressive measures were wrong. During the 1840s and 1850s Americans were subjected to another period of intense nativist agitation. This time the chief targets were the refugees from Ireland and Germany . The agitators used platforms and pamphlets to warn their fellow citizens of the dangers of allowing the country to be taken over by "splayfooted Irish bog trotters." and "dumb. lopeared Dutchmen." Fortunately. once again. wiser men were to prevail. It is appropriate.