Speech #880282360

And what is freedom but that situation where a man may heed the yearning of his heartto prove his worth. to affirm his dignity. to grow to the full measure of his manhood without the crippling judgmentsimplicit in discrimination. America remained the symbol of freedom for many decades. The torch of liberty was a beacon to millions of immigrants who pulled free from their past. from their community. and from their traditions to build and populate a new land. That light faltered when the national origin quota system announced to the world that opportunity was no longer open to all but rationed according to accidents of birth. The quota system was adopted four decades ago. in a postwar climate of suspicion and hostility. These fears and prejudices coalesced to bring about restriction of immigrationfear of competition in jobs. pessimism over the possibility of continuing economic growth. and spurious sociological theories concerning the "purity" of certain ethnic groups. It is to the everlasting credit of President Wilson that he recognized the obligation of his office to lead. not merely reflect. public opinion. In 1921. one of his final acts of office was to veto the quota law. However. it was subsequently signed by President Harding. became law. and our present version went into effect several years later. Even had this law been equitable and wise. it would be well to review whether changing requirements and times. and our changing role in the world community. have not made some of its provisions obsolete.