Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-05-23
Privations of Emigrants- Message from
the President.

| WASHINGTON, May 14.-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 aJlusion
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
favoring national legislation for the pur-
| pose of efecting q radical cure of the
| evil. The promise was made that a
special message on the subject would be
presented during the present session,
| should information be received warrant
| ing it. l now transmit to the two
houses of Congress all that has been
officially received since that time bear
| ing on the subject, and recommend that
such legislation 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
emigrants 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 q
citizen of the Great Republic, free to
change his residence at will, TO enjoy
the blessings of a 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-
fdes implicitly in the protecting arm of
the great, free country of which he has
heard 80 much before leaving his native
land. 1t is source of serious disappoint-
ment and encouragement to those who
start with means insufficient to support
them comfortably until they can choose
a residence and begin employment for
comfortable support, to find themselves
subject to ll-treatment and every dis
comfort on their passage here, and, at
the end of their journey, to be seized
on by professed friends, claiming legal
right to take charge of them for their
protection, who do not leave them until
all their resources are exhausted, when
they are abandoned in a strange land,
surrounded by strangers, without en-
| ployment, and ignorant of the means of
securing it. Under the present system
| this is the fate of thousands annually,
| the exposure on shipboard and the treat
ment on landing driving thousands to
lives of vice and shame, who, with
proper humane treatment, might have
become useful and respectable members
of society. l do not advise national
legislation in affairs that should be regu-
lated by States, but [ see no subject
more national in its character than a
provision for the safety and welfare of
the thousands who leave foreign lands
to become citizens of this Republic.
When their residence is chosen they
may then look to the laws of their local
ity for protection and guidance. The
mass of immigrants arriving on our
shores, coming, as they do, on vessels,
under foreign flags, makes treaties with
nations furnishing 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) U. S. GRANT.