New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-05
IMMIGRATION AND ITS DANGERS.

IMMIGRATION AND ITS DANGERS
Distrust of immi grafton is not wholly I'M
reasonable Citizens here are sOverelgns. Inc
destiny and the welfare of all depend upon the
governing faculty of each. The bare fact that
ten millions of immigrants have come into the
country since 1850 from countries IN which
the people have shown less faculty Tor sell
government than Americans have displayed Is
not one to be lightly put aside. Naturally IN
clined to vote together, these Immigrants Wleld
n larger political power than an equal number
of American citizens, in many of the States and
in most of the cities. The American is but
poorly fitted for self-government hlmsell VINO
supposes that the newcomers are all qualneu
for their responsible part in shaping the deS-
TIMES of the country. They come with foreign
tastes. habits and prejudces, and many OF them
with social customs and peculiaritieS OF race
which make them an essentially different and
in many respects an unwelcome addition. Iheir
influence constantly modifies American socla'
as well as American political hfe.
If the American believes that training IN
self government is of any value to race, ne
is compelled to regard with some Apprehension
the growing influence of those who have not
had such training. If he considers that knowl-
edge of the language Of the country, ability
m read its Constitution and laws, its news and
its literature, are essential to full appreciation
of its institutions, he cannot escape a sense Oh
danger when he finds large bodies o. lmnh-
grants who retain their foreign language and
make no effort to acquire any other. When he
finds if necessary to address audiences in hall
10 in
on political campaign, he is apt to consider
whether there should not be at least mod
crate educational qualification for suffrage.
The tide of immigration, moreover, steadily
rises. Fifty years ago it had never reached
90, 900 in a single year; it has since been
nearly 1000 in year, and is accounted I'M
usually small just now because it falls below
half a million. But the reservoir from which
these supplies are drawn is practically mex
haustible. What is to hinder movement OF
thee or even five millions in a single year
within the lifetime of Americans who are now
of age? Is it clear that greatly increased adj
ditions to the population will be readily as
simulated?
An elaborate report just issued by the Blu
reau of Statistics embraces all the information
presented in official records regarding the ma
tiyities occupations and ages of immigrants.
1t is well calculated to make Americans ask
themselves whether their institutions nest on
firm foundation. For long time Ireland sent
more than half the immigrants every year.
Then Germany took the foremost place, and in
two successive years sent 400, 600 persons to
our shores. But Russia, Hungary and Italy,
pfrih MI nothing
to the population of this country, are now send
ing large armies; Russia from 10000 to
40, 600 yearly, Austro- Hungary from 90 900 to
$4,000, and Italy over $4,000. These come
not from nations familiar with our speech or
customs not from races akin to our own They
come from lands where government is not what
it is here, and where illteracy renders larger
part of the population united to acquire the
language of another country, or to learn Of its
institutions through publications in their own
tongues.
In paper in "The Political Science Quar-
terly,D Mr.. Eugene Schuyler sets forth facts
tending to show that the Italians are not as
undesirable immigrants as many suppose. He
reasons that their condition and manners az
home have not been as disqualifying for free
CltZenSnlp jS Is COlnmOnly lhldSlhcu' anu OndV'
in the second generation at least, they may be
expected to add something of value to the in
telIectuaI and moral life of the Republic, as
their thrift and industry do in the first genera
ton. But it is MOI denied that the Italian
immi grafton comes Tainly from those parts Of
that country in which the percentage Of il
iteracy is greatest. Nor is it denied that actual
misery is the cause of migration in large pro-
portion of cases, and that part of the population
which does not rise above want and suffering
in Italy can scarcely be supposed to be above
the average in intelligence, or in other quail
tiles which make useful citizens.
This is no longer question to be lightly re-
garded or fippantly dismissed with pleasant
platitudes. The assmilating power Of Ameri-
can institutions is indeed wonderful But it is
conceivable that it may be tested beyond the
limits of safety within the next quarter Of a
century. If any measure whatever is desir-
able 10 restrain immigration or to modify its
character, it can probably be more easily ma
tured and passed now than at any future time.
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