New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-18
Presidents Message-PrOtectiOn to Imn1i-
grants.

| Presidents message-PFOtectiOn TO Immi-
grants.
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 begin
| ming OF the present session, allusiOn was
made to the hardships and privatiOhs in
tilcted on poor emigrants on shipbOard and
| upon their arrival on our shores, and a
suggestion was made favoring national
legislation for the purpose of effeeting a
radical cure of the evil. Promise was
made that a special message on this sub
ject would be presented during the present
session, should information be received
which would warrant it. | now transmit
to the two houses of Congress all that has
been officially received since that time
bearing upon 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 and such privacy as will not COM
pei immigrants to be unwilling witnesses to
so much vice and misery; and, second, legis-
latiOn to protect them on their arrival at
our seapOrts from 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 citizen of any State
or Territory on his arrival, but comes here
to become citizen of our great republic
free to change his residence at will, to enjoy
the blessings Of a protecting government
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 cOnfdes implicitly in the
protecting arm of the great free country of
which he has heard so much before leaving
hls native land.
1t is source of serious disappointment
and Encouragement To those who start
with means insufficient to support them
comfortably until they can choose a resi-
dence and begin employment for COM
PORTABLE support, to find themselves subject
10 lu-treatment and every discomfort on
their passage here, and at the end of their
journey seized on BY professed friends,
claiming the legal right to take charge of
tleLn lor IheIr protection, who do not leave
them until all their resources are exhausted,
when they are abandoned in a strange land.
surrounded by strangers, without emnIov-
ment and Ignorant Of the means of secTri6r
it. Under the present system. this is the
fate of thousands annually. The exnosnras
on shipbOard, and the treatment on land
ing, is driving thousands to lives of vice
and shame, who, with proper humane
treatment, might become useful and re-
spectacle members Of society.
l do net advise national legislation in af
fairs that should beregulated by the States
but ! see no subject more national in its
character than provision for the safety and
welfare of 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 locality for
protection and guidance, The mass OF i'm
migrants arriving on cur shores, coming, as
they do, on vessels under foreign flags,
makes treaties with the nations furnishing
I1ese immigrants necessary for their com
pdeJe protection For more than two years
enorts have been made on our part to secure
such treaties, and there is now reasonable
ground to hope for success.
u. S. GRANT.