Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-09-18
NO NEED OF ALARM.

There has always been feeling among
certain classes of our people against immi-
grants and immigration, and the sentiment
of opposition often crops out in unexpected
quarters.
The fact that Chinese immigration Is pro.
hibited has been cited as an illustration of
our ability TO prohibit all other immigra-
ton, and no doubt the thing, while ex-
tremely difficult, is within the bounds of
possibility. But 10 pass an act, as some of
our leading journals are agitating. prohibit
ing immigration simply because we are able
TO carry out its provisions, is nonsenslcal as
well as tyrannous. There was good rea-
son Tor prohibiting immigration in the case
of the Chinese, the difference In the race
being 80 marked that no matter how long
these people remained in our country they
would never be of us, but would stay as dis
tinctly separate as ii they had just come
from the Flowery Kingdom. This does not
hold with European immigration. for al
though they come 10 this country and dur.
ing their own lives retain to some extent
the peculiarities of nationality, that make
them English or Irish, Swedes or Germans,
yet their children forget the mother tongue,
abandon the foreign habits Of thought and
life, and become as truly American IS IL
their ancestors had lived here for hundred
years.
There Is no danger TO be apprehended
from the inflow OF the foreign element, us
predicted. SO long as it continues TO become
Americanized as rapidly rs heretofore IN
questionably the danger might grow serious
II the foreigners remained separate class,
but as they do not, the cry Of alarm is IN.
seasonable An apparently more valid ar
gument is found in the statement that there
are already too many laborers and handi-
craftsmen out of employment in the cuun-
try, and that increase Ia their number will
stiil further embarrass the labor situation
This, however. is not, AS rule, a matter
with which Legislators can safely tamper-
The labor problem is one that, il left alone
works out lis own solution much more sat.
isfactorily than II it be continually tinkered
at When the lumber of men employed
in any particular line of work becomes too
great. and the rate OF wages is thereby re.
duced TO unreasonably low figures the din
Guilty is invariably remedied before great
while by some of the men going elsewhere
or Into other occupations
The foreigners do not come 10 this coun.
try Tor the reason alone that they need us
and our free institutions and liberal wages,
but also because we need them and their
muscle and Industry, and the results of their
labor.
When We can afford 10 pay them more
than they make at home they will come and
stay. when the demand for their services
falls of the number Of immigrants will de-
crease, and In cases some Of those already
here will return, so that there need be no
alarm at the tide of immigration. no need of
Congress taking any action the evil, II any
exists. wilh work Its way out and we may
feel no alarm. We have already ten times
~ much legislation as We need, and when
there Is disposition shown 10 increase the
quantity, without at the same time also i'm
proving the quality. the people may well be
excused Of my unnecessary Legislation, and
we may add also alarm.
In this age Of light and know ledge. when
religion, charity and tolerance are every.
where ncouraged-when the benign prin-
ciples Of liberty and equality Of rights are
flowing over the four quarters of the globe
when commerce, regulated by the sound
maxims OF honesty. is extending from pole
10 poler-when social Intercourse between
man and man and between nation and ma
ton is gradually taking the place Of war,
iasasion and conquest-whe by the magic
power OF steam time and distance are an.
nihilaied--when the inhabitants Of remote
places are whispering their thoughts with
the speed ~ lightaipg. II Is no time 70 write
about breaking the tide Of immigration