The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-05-24
Privati0ns OF Emigrants- Message from
the President.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE President
to-day sent the following message to the
Senate and House of Representatives
In my message to Congress at the be.
ginning OF the present session allusion
was made to the hardships and priva-
tions inflicted on poor emigrants on
shipboard, and upon arrival on our
shores; and the suggestion was made
iavoring national legislation for the pur-
pose of effecting radical cure of the evil.
The promise was made that a special
message on the subject would be pre-.
sented during the present session, should
information be received warranting it.
! now transmit to the two houses of
Congress all that has been officially re.
ceived since that time bearing on the
subject, and recommend that such legis.
lation be had as will secure, first, such
room and accommodation on shipboard
as is necessary for health and comfort,
such privacy as will not compel emf
grants to be unwilling witnesses of so
much vice and misery; and second,
legislation to protect them on their ar
rival at our seaports from the knaves
who are ever ready to despoil them of
the little they are able to bring with
them. Such legislation will be in the
interest OF humanity, and seems to be
fully justifable. An immigrant is not a
citizen of any State or Territory on his
arrival, but comes here to become a
citizenof the Great Republic, free to
change his residence at will, to enjoy
the blessings Of protecting Govern
ment, where all are equal before the law,
and to add to the national wealth by his
industry. On his arrival he does not
know States or corporations, but con.
hdes implicitly in the protecting arm of
the great, free country Of which he has
heard so much before leaving his native
land. 1t Is source OF serious disap.
polntment and Encouragement to those
who start with means insufficient to sup.
port them comfortably until they can
choose residence and begin employ
nent for comfortable support to find
themselves subject to i'll treatment and
every discomfort on their passage here,
md, at the end of their journey, to be
seized on by prolessed friends, claiming
! legal right to take charge of them for
heir protection, who do not leave them
Until all their resources are exhausted,
when they are abandoned in strange
and, surrounded by strangers, without
employment and ignorant of the means
" securing it. Under the present sys.
EN- this is the fate of thousands annu-
lily, the exposure on shipboard and the
treatment on landing driving thousands
O lives OF vice and shame, who, with
roper humane treatment, might have
'ecome useful and resi- eciable members
# society. do not advise national leg.
station in affairs that should be regu.
atedby States, but see no subject more
rational in its character than provision
or the safety and welfare of the thou.
ands who leave foreign lands to become
itizens of this Republic. When their
esidence is chosen they may then look
D the laws Of their locality for protec.
on and guidance. The mass of immi.
rants arriving on our shores, coming, as
ley DO, on vessels under foreign flags,
lakes treaties with nations furnishing
icse immigrants necessary for their
,mplete protection. For more than
70 years efforts have been made on our
art to secure such treaties, and there is
DIV reasonable ground to hope for
'ccess. (Signed) U. S. GRANT.