The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-19
OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS.

One of the most significant features Of the
recent lynching in New Orleans is the interest
which has been developed therein by foreign
Governments, notably that of Italy. Lynch
law is. at all times and under oil circum-
stances, TO be deprecated. Even under the
most favorable conditions. when people are
forced TO resort TO such an heroic remedy,
il shows most clearly that something Is
wrong with their civilization. Either the
courts have become careless, juries have be-
come corrupt, or there is general lOoseness
in the administration Of the laws. Something
certainly is wrong. When lynchings occur.
therefore. it is customary for the average pub
lie to express regret at them, wish that the
causes which produced them had not existed
hope that they may not be necessary in future,
and forget them.
The New Orleans lynching. however, be-
cause its victims happened to be OF Italian orr
gin. seems to have excited the ire of Italy TO
such an extent that war is talked Of and. IN
consequence, the people Of the United States
find themselves confronted with the interest
ING questions. why is it that people Of city
and State of the United States cannot takeste
TO protect themselves against dangerous class
among them when they deem protection
necessary without bringing down on them the
Indignation Of outside countries 2" Are the
United States filed up with class of imni-
grants who think that liberty in this country
means only license, and that under the liberty
guaranteed by our Constitution, they are
licensed 10 commit crime at will, and when
punished for it can appeal TO their native Gov
eminent for reparationl"
These are exceedingly interesting questions,
and may even lead TO "A revision of our natu-
ralization and immigration laws. Certainly
if under our system Of government, foreign
countries can export their Objectionable sub
jects 10 this, and those subjects can imagine
that the United States are only colonies OF
their native lands, where they can commit
enormities at will and if when they act ac-
cordngly the people of the localities where
the disturbances arise undertake 20 protect
themselves they are liable to be called in ques-
ton for so doing by foreign nations, it is time
to pause and reflect.
The sentiment, called forth by the New
Orleans case. is plainly gaining ground all
over the United States that a revision Of our
immigration and naturalization laws would be
advisable. These laws were made broad and
liberal in the early days of the Republic be-
cause the country then was mostly a wilder
ness. and needed filling up. Now We have
already 60, 600. 900 people, whose natural in
crease is enormous. and who will soon require
up all Of our unoccupied lands. The same
necessity for large immigration which existed
then does not, therefore. exist now, and if
immigration should cease entirely the country
can well afford 10 do without II.
II would seem most reasonable that our
immigration laws should be revised 10 the point
Of requiring immigrants to be Of the best
classes of settlers; also that our foreign treaties
should be so changed as 10 relieve the United
States Of all responsibility for penalties in
fcted upon Objectionable foreign subjects
for lawlessness and crime committed while
enjoying the protection which our laws afford.