Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-05-21
Message from Pres. Grant.
Recommendation for Legislation TO Pro-
trct lmmi grants.

Recommendation iof Legislation y" ~"
tect Immigrants.
The President on Tuesday sent The
following message to the Senate and
House of Representatives.
In my message to Congress ut the be
ginning OF the present session alluSion
was made to the hsrdships and priya'
tons inflicted on poor emigrantS on ship
board and upon arrival on our shores,
and a suggestion WAS made lavoring Ma
tional legislation for the purpose OF et'
/ lectirg n radical cure OF TIE evil. Prom
Use was made that special message on
the subjec, would be presented during
the present session should information
be received which would warrant it.
now have sent to the two houses OF Con-
gress all that has been officially received
since that time beaing upon that subject,
and recommended that such legislation
he had rs will secure, FIRST, such room
and accommodation on shipboard aS Il
necessary forthe health and comfort, and
such privacy as will not compel emf
grants to be unwilling witnesses tg 50
much vice and misery; second. legisla
tion to protect them upon their arrival at
our seaports, from the knaves who are
ever ready 10 deSpoil them of the little
they are able 10 bring with them. Such
legislation will be in the interest OF hui
manity aud seems to be fully justiabie.
The emigrant Is not the citizen of any
State or territory upon his arrival, but
comes here to become 4 citizen ol great
Republic, free 10 change his residence nj
will--to enjoy the blessings ot protect
inc government. where all are equal be-
fore the law, and to add 10 the natural
wealth BY his industry. On his arrival
he doe. not know States or corporations,
but confides implicitly in the protecting
arms Of the great free country, of which
he has heard 80 much before leaving his
native land.
1t is 4 source of serious disappoint-
ment and Encouragement to those who
start with means insufficient 10 support
them comfortably until they can choose
a residence and begin employment for a
comfortable support. to find themselves
subject TO in treatment aud every dis
comfort on their passage here. on their
journeys end here to be seized upon Icy
prolessed friends, claiming legal right
to take charge of them for their protec-
ton, who do not leave them till all their
resources are exhausted. then they are
abandoned in strange land surrounded
| by strangers, without employment, igno-
lant oil the means OF securing it under
the present system. This il the fate OF
thousands annually The exposure on
,hipboard and the treatment on landing,
driving thousands 10 lives OF vice and
shame, vine with proper and humane
treatment might become useful and re-
spectacle members OF society. | do not
advise national legislation in affairs tina;
should be regulated by the States, but !
see no object more national i'll It's charac-
ter than provision for the safety and well
fare of the thousands who leave foreign
lands to become citizens OF the Republic.
When their residence is chosen they may
then look to the laws OF their locality Tor
protection and guidance. The mass OF
immigrants arriving on our shores, COM
inc rs they 10, on vessels under foleign
flags, makes treaties with the nation fur
nisbing these immigrants, necessary for
their complete protection. For more
than two years efforts have been made
on our part to secure such treaties and
there is now reasonable ground to hope
for success.
(Signed.) l.. s. GRANT