The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-26
DISTINCTION on IMMIGRATION.
Mr.. William Hosea Ballou Defends His Re
cent Warning to tho President.
NV ORLEANs. la, April 20. 1sl

NEW ORLEANS, LA, April ~, 1881.
Editor Times: Permit me TO emerge" once
more from THE obscurity Of novel writing,
for which. doubtless, get handsomely paid"
That is the way in which some unknown cor
respondent in your paper of the 18th instant
begins q reference TO my recent letter OF warn
ing TO President Harrison on the menace OF
large foreign element in this country, profess
ing 10 he American citizens, who call on
foreign power for MD. The attention OF this
correspondent IL directed 10 the fact that
early in the fisheries dispute, Great Britain
ordered a rol-cal Of her citizens engaged In
fortune making in this country; that during
tho Samoan arbitration, not long ago
the German ambassador at Washing
ton sounded the German element in
the United States as tot its patriotic sentiments
toward the fatherland; and now we are treat
ed 10 the spectacle of italian mass-meetings
vigorously deuouncing the United States and
calling on Rome for vengeance and American
Italian newspapers bowling down Washing
ton aud calling for the presence of Italian war
vessels at the mouth Of the Mississippi river.
/ marvel that my fellow citizens Of New York
city have not torn out the contents OF the
Italo New York press Offices and thrown them
into the streets an proud to cay that the
COMMUNICATIONS when sounded promptly
sat down on Bismarck and that everywhere
throughout the country their representatives
in the Legislatures, in Congress and the press
proclaimed alOuQ luclI hilcAlhliNo W tApi
adopted country.
THT "wiRNIsG" AS IT WAS SENT.
But | submit that the conduct Of tho
Italians has verified my warning, which was
incorrectly quoted by your correspondent,
and which read as follows
In view Of these facts ! suggest the need
OF stringent immigration inspection and Ie-
striction. otherwise foreign countries hostile
T. us prospcctively. will plant large bodies Of
"a d
others Of their kind, and who will rise against
lis whenever called upon 10y the government
from which they came, while protesting quasi
allegiance 10 tho United States. While we
may regard with pride all toregn-Americanl
patriots. the time has come 70 distrust all
who look 10 foreign country for protection
while claiming loyalty 10 this country"
COMMITS or THE PRESS.
This letter was sent forth from Washington
by the United Press. and here are some OF the
comments Of American newspapers on the
subject and not single paper has e0mbatted
the views expressed. which would tend 10
show that the warning will not be allowed TO
pass unhccdet. .,,
Journal: New Bedford, Mass: William
Hosea Ball0u the novelist. who has been re-
siding in New Orleans for some time. has writ
ten to President Harrison that the lynchlng
OF the M0tI was right. Not exactly that
II is pleasing 10 find here and there man
who has the courage 20 say what he believes.
Observer, Utica, i. y: The letter adj
dressed to President Harrison by William
Hosea BallOu, the novelist, should be OF IN
terest 10 every American citizen. Though
Mr.. Ball0u deals largely in fiction, there IS no
reason 10 believe that in this letter there IL in
corporated anything but the plain unvarnish-
ed truth. One of hts suggestions to person
10 whom the idea never before occurred IS
startling one If, - he states. We have in this
country a large number Of foreigners who APP
peal not 10 the Government under whose laws
thew are living and to whom they have sworn
allegiance. but 10 foreign power, they GER
tainly cannot be depended upon 70 act as
American citizens in case Of war. If they feel
that after renouncing all claim 10 the benefits
of the Government Of their native land ana
swearing 10 uphold that of the United states;
if they then feel that their native land is the
place to look for protection against laWiess-
ness and outrage and for redress for injuries
sustained. then they are not American nu-
zens in spirit. they are traitors 70 the Govern
ment at Washington. and not to be depended
upon 20 perform the part Of an American.
The New Orleans affair will stimulate the
dread ~ the great danger Of unrestricted i'm
migration. of allowing the froth and scum OF
Eur0pc'S population 10 land IN thu. country.
The Utica u. ny Press. William Hosea
Ballou in n letter 10 President Harrison,
makes a strong point in saying that closer
inspection Of migration u desirable. Every
year thousands OF desperate characters come
hero from foreign countries who are not and
never viii be IN sympathy with our laws ana
institutions They are constant menace 10
our peace and prosperity. These fellow, IN
cite others 10 deeds Of violence who might
otherwise be peaceful and harmless. The
very presence OF these men in community IS
a Threat OF violence The abstract of tree
country, TO whose shores the oppressed OF Ii
countries arc welcome. sounds well, but when
these oppressed are outlaws and outcasts OF
-. .ls,.s . l.off hHrr
moro acceptable than their company. The
United States raises enough people who need
watching without importing any from Eu-
rope
Gazette OF Cincinnati. speaks Of these ftaiO-
Americans as bad folks from abroad" and
General "A. V. Boynton, its correspondent,
later takes up tho matter statistically from the
Congressional reports at Washington. The
News. of Columbia, Pa, says the warning
points to menace 10 the national peace.
The Iimes-Star, of Cincinnati, calls II a
ringing letter on our alien menace"
Tho W tCovington Del) Messenger, in
quoting the letter, says He asks for strin-
cent immigration laws. When Europeans
come here 10 live and call upon monarchies
and dcspotsms abroad to protect them 1t is
apparent that they are dangerous 70 the well
being II our country. The kind Of immigra-
ton needed and welcome is moral upright,
hbefty-loying, God-fearing men and women
pcCplc who have come to stay, 10 obey tho
laws. t. enjoy freedom, and help the country
at large. Anarchists. desperadocs and muir
derers are not needed. and should not be toll
Grated
The Washington Post editorializcs at length
on the letter. and its editorial has been widely
copied. Among other things 1t says
MIR William Hosea Ballou, the author, and
a gentleman whose judgment Is not likely TO
be led astmy.by any prejudice IN favor Of mob
law. las been in New Orleans for several
months and is evidently convinced by what
ne las seen there. AMI by his general obserya-
ton elsewhere. that there are elements Of
foreign immigration against which the coun,,
try should be much more eiectually guarded
than it is by our present statutes"
THE UPPER TEN"
| have previously discussed the foreign me.
mace within our borders IN Chapter VI. OF
The Upper Ten" II your correspondent
still believes THAT this is a question 70 be nd
culed he can find sufficient evidence in that
chapter 10 the contrary. But am sure the
American people and press at large are not
very tolerant Of lax views on this matter at
present. WILLIAM HOSEA DALAOU'
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