Speech #890119589

I understand they have. yes. but it was very peculiarly worded: "Therefore be it resolved by the American Legion in convention assembled. That we favor and recommend continuance of the method of restriction upon immigration-" That is a primary part. and they may have the right to do that. They could go on record in favor of closed or open or restricted immigration. I do not dispute their authority to do that. but then the resolution continues: "That we favor and recommend continuance of the method of restriction upon immigration in the 1924 immigration law with its fundamental nationalorigins provision. so that American citizenship and economic prosperity may be maintained at the highest possible level." And in a statement to the Senate Committee on Immigration they said: "We emphatically uphold the theory underlying the nationalorigins provision. which is that immigration quotas based upon entire population of the Nation is not only the fairest method for selecting immigrants. but is the most certain method"Mark this language-"the most certain method of maintaining in the future the blend of population and the racial mixtures as they exist in America today." In convention assembled they went on record in favor of that because it was the best means "by which prosperity may be maintained at the present time." the resolution read. It must be borne distinctly in mind that the quotas cannot be disassociated from the principle itself. The going into effect of the clause automatically established the quotas. and when the Legion takes a position on the principle they take a position on the quotas established thereunder.