Omaha daily bee., 1886-09-04


1t is not to be denied that there is
considerable drift of opinion favorable
to the view that the time is not remote
when it may become cxpcdicnt, if not
necessary, in the interest OF those en-.
gagged in industrial pursuits in this coun.
try, to adopt policy for the restriction
OF immigration Public sentiment has
been tending in this direction for years,
and It has the support Of the opinion OF
some thoughtful men who discern danger
in permitting the tide of immigration TO
go on unobstructcd. In an address to
OHIO farmers ut the state fair few days
ago, Senator Sherman made a somewhat
extended reference to this matter in con
ncction with the remedies suggested for
the conditions inimical TO labor.
Senator Sherman remarked that we
should not be so anxious as we have been
to increase the number of laborcrs inn
ported TO this country from abroad. In
a new and vast country like ours it was
natural to encourage such immigration,
and all the conditions favoring it. There
came 10 us from all European countries n
friendly and peaceful invasion of vast
hordcs, greater in number than the hos
tile tribes that overthrow the Roman en-
pire. We had in 1889 in this country
G,G1O, ,043 citizens of foreign birth. These
laborers have added enormously to our
wealth, and have made us what we are.
but now with changed conditions there
is n growing feeling that even so great n
good may have elements of danger i'll it..
The line was first drawn upon the
Chinese, and we have by general consent
gone to the extent of practical prohi-
biton of Chinese immigration Another
indication of public opinion is that on
the 26th day of February, 1885, congress
almost without debate or division passed
a law prohibiting the importation and
migrations of foreigners and aliens under
agreement or contract to perform labor
in the United States. BY the act of Au-
gust g. 1882, duty of fifty cents is levied
upon each passenger not citizen of the
United States, who shall come by steamer
or sailing vessel TO the United States from
any foreign port to n port within tho
United States And il there is found
among such passengers any convict, lu-
natiC, idiot, or any person unable to take
care OF himself without becoming pub
lie charge, then such persons shall not be
permitted to land, but must be returned
to whence they came. ~ am not sure, "
said Mr.. Sherman, but that the princi.
pie of these laws may not in time be eN-
tended to other Objectionable classes with
great benefit to our country. Sufficient
to say, that with our growing population
we must commence the study of these
problems of social order and employ.
mcnt that have occupied the attention
of European countries. We must cul-
tivatc stronger national feel
ing. The civil war has removed the
great cause of our disscnsion. Let us
feel that rs members of the great Ameri-
can family we arc al akin to each
! other, that we cherish the same flag,
enjoy the same liberties, arc entitled to
the same protection, and are common
heirs of an Inheritance Of free institu-
tions founded upon the yalor and wisdom
Of our anC oStors, and preserved and
strengthened by this generation" 1t is
certainly significant when distinguished
statesman like Senator Sherman, always
careful of speech and knowing his
ground perfectly, thus commits himself
to large body Of his constituents in
favor of discouragirg too free immi-
grafton, and to suggests at least that the
subject is worthy of serious general con-
sideration.