Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-11
IMPORTED pAIPERISM.

Governor Butler OF Massachusetts, what
ever may be said of his motives or against
his methods, is certainly hitting upon some
rarely sensible things in his reformalory
crusade. Although like horse on The
grant pas, he may seem 10 advance with II
great deal of unnecessary display, there is no
question that he gets over the ground much
more rapidly and effectively than the ordin-
airy legislative invalid in his rolling char.
Following close upon the Tewks5ury in
igation-lilic the fast Appearing ven
lures Of a successful tyre in the field OF lit
crature we see the doughty governor setting
lance ia rest for new enterprise. And this
time he will venture little further from
home, and attack u larger public abuse in n
broader field. His challenge rings out clear
and strong and, lest it be not sufficient OF
itself, he pranccs up to the National Cabinet
and touches with his lance the FURNISHED
shield of Sir Secretary Folger. The Knight
of Tewksbury will take issue with the gov
eminent on the subject of paupcr immigra-
ton. Bravo! lis high cmprise albeit
somewhat quiXotic in this lazy camp of ious-
tiers, this merry tournament for fair prizes.
But what may be windmill to some is a
dragon to Others; and the knight OF La
Mancha need not fear but that some, at least,
will see in the vans of the whirigig,the wings
of a monster.
Governor Butler, it seems to us, has taken
the right stand in this matter of imported
paurcrism. 1t certainly is a fact that our
free country is being overrun with the Of
gar figure, when Europe has any filth in her
mouth she uses America for cuspidor.
Here is England shipping her fierce, un-
washed crowd Of Irish dynamters to the
United States as fast as she can, and Germany
spcwing up her socialists and frcc-thinkcrs
Oh our shores and Russia trying 10 put
her nhilists overheard, with tie
benevolent suggestion that they strike
out for America. Says General Bat
Ter, of cargo of English and Irish paupers
just arrived at the port of Boston. IF
were convinced that it was in the power OF
the Commonwealth TO prevent their landing,
should deem it my duty to do So" Wheth-
the willy Governor would or not, had he the
discretionary power for which he is angling
the TACT remains that he has boldly aEowed
what ought to be lone. lie is an excellent
FeioFmcr on paper-and That Is where every
reform, IN these days, has to Start.
he governor makes an excellent dis,inc-
lioh between the class OF paupers we want
and The class we DO not want. Il have, y
he says, 'the strongest sympathy with these
poor people, and II landed will endeavor to
sec lhal they are humanely anu properly
cared Tor, but recognize and rejoice in the
theory upon which our government was
founded that America should be home for
the oppressed and downtrodden. We wei
come therefore all, however humble, who
come TO us OF their own free Will and aided
by their enterprise, energy and resources
The linmigrating class is what We want, not
Ill we may use the word-the immlsraled.
we ooJec'' or should OBJECT, thlnks5 cover
nor Butlcr, Just as much to receiving cargocs
oil deprecated humanity as cargoes oil
deprecated merchandise. We would not
take swcated wheat or tainted meat into the
market at any pricc,-why should we thank
fully receive consignment of spoiled immi-
grants, vicious, depraved, inflamed with
hatred against the mother country. and de-
termined to involve us as much as possible,
and our resources, in her discontinue Gov
crnor Butler asks Secretary Folger to take
legal measures TO prevent the landing of such
deportations, at least within the limits of
Massachusetts. And if it so happeps
that the laws of the United States
are Intellectual to hinder the land
ing of these forlorn creatures, certainly"
he says, sit is within the scope of the dplo-
matte power of the United States to make
such representation to the government of
Great Britain as will prevent their being sent
here against the will aud wish of our govern
ment.'
We are not aware of any direct provision
in the Constitution or anything in The laws
of the United States, Immediately available
in this emergency. But there arc certain
matters of international importance which
province Oh u'piomacy' ana TINS, II seems to
US Is one oil them' Inc matter OF immgra-