Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-06-21
Shall Immigra tion be Restncted2

Shall Immigra ton be RestEic ted?
loration, delivered at the late graduating ex.
ercises OF the Mineral Point High school. by
Edward Bruwn.l
immigration has a great effect up
on the history of this world. This
is proven by the formation of the
most important governments ever
existing.
Referring to the Greek records
we find that about the year 100 Is.
c., the Dorians, who originally had
been an unimportant tribe, occupy
ing the southern slope of Mount
Eta, moved southwark and con
quered the neighboring kingdoms.
This resulted in the upbuilding of
the great cities and nations which
have figured 80 prominently in the
history of this world
One of the greatest events con
nected with England's past was the
immigration Of the Normans into
that country. These people became
the ruling class and their language
was substituted for the Anglo-Saxon
in court,
During the eighth century the
Moors immigrated to Spain, and
after making that country their
home for many years, attempted to
conquer the tribes TO the north.
They met their enemy under Charles
Martel who defeated them at the
battle of Tours. This victory de-
cided not only the fate Of France
and Germany, but the fate of all
christendom.
In this country immigration and
Its relation to our prosperity is con-
sideIed among the greatest questions
of the day. In searching for the cause
of the industrial diseases which have
affected the manufacturing world
since 1889, 1t is interesting to note
how greatly profession or calling
influences opinions. Bankers on
merchants give as the absolute cause
for depression some financial or
commercial reason; clergymen and
mosalists assert that social and NOR
al influences, united with the proyi-
Dental causes, produce the industri-
al difficulties which atflict nations;
manufacturers give industrial CON
ditions, labor legislations, the de-
mands of the working men; while
the working men attribute Industrial
diseases to combination of capital,
long hours Of labor and immigration.
No one will consider for a moment
the idea of entire prohibition of
immigration, but its restriction is
subject for wise consideration. In
discussing the restriction of immi-
grafton the following questions will
naturally arise:
Are the immigrants of the present,
taken as a whole, drawbacks to the
welfare Of this country?
viii not the country become
over populated?
Is not the immigrant Of the pres
ent day Of a class lower than his
predecessor?
Should rot certain classes be pro-
hibted? ?
During the past sixty y.fiye years
$4,000, 900 immigrants have entered
this country. 1t will be remembered
that thirty-two per cent. Of all those
employed in the mechanical indus
tries are Of foreign birth, and have
increased the resources Of this
country, not only by their own
labor, but also by the aggregate
wealth brought over by them.
The commissioner Of labor says:
at is undoubtedly true that during
the past sixty-fye years immigration
has been of inestimable value az an
element in American industrial
progress; and it is probable that this
country could with benefit to all In
dustries absorb from 100000 to|
250, 900 new corners annually
President Cleveland, in address
ling the people Of st. Louis, said:
"This city stands as q mark Of the
genius, enterprise, and Intelligence
Of the foreign element"
Further, will not the millions Of
acres of land be developed by bis
labor? Will not places now Of no
benefit be made into beautiful
farms? VIII not cities be built and
deserts become sources Of revenuef
The area Of Europe is over $780,.
| 600 square milet; .hat Of the United
States 100000. The population Of