The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-03-21
SATURDAY. MARCH II. 1901.


III LlbttbhAE tAlO WIN N0gB nave AOhha
remedy to stop immigration to this
country from Europe. Quite a lively |
debate sprang up. on the Influence OF
Immigration on mind and thought
One OF the speakers. Rev. g. L. Holmes,
hold that recent foreign immigration,
had bad effect on American morality,
and that, therefore, something ought
to be done to check 1t. He had ready
remedy at hand for the evil, and he
saw no better way Of putting a stop to
It than by adopting free trade, which,
he believed, would 'tend to equalize
matters between the nations" Out
spoken enough surely.
But the Rev. @. W. Smith, editor OF
the Christian Advocate, wns even more
outspoken. He suggested as remedy
for the immigration evil, that the free
trade ideas OF the Democratic party
be adopted, thereby bringing the
United States to level with European
countries, SO as to remove all induce
ments to foreigners to come to this
country.
This minister was certainly getting
right down to the very root OF the
matter.
We have not tho least doubt that Mr..
Smiths method would be radical
cure. All that is needed to bring it
about is to turn in and vote the Demo
cratic ticket, which would result In
repeal OF the tariff law and this in turn
would usher in free trade. Why, the
plan is us easy as rolling of log
II the United States should offer no in
ducements to Europeans TO come here,
why to be sure the tide of immigration
would cease to ilowtowards the shores
of America. The editor of the Pitts
burg Christian Advocate was solid and
had level head when he said that the
advocacy of ''the free trade ideas OF
the Democratic party" would he n good
way to put stop to foreign immigra-
ton.
when wages In the United States get
down to the European standard, which
of course would be sure to follow il
the free-traders had their way of it,
European wage workers would not be
tempted to cross the Atlantic in search
OF better wages and better homes in
this country. That is a self-evident
knock down argument. Persons who
believe with the Methodist ministers
quoted that the stoppage of foreign
immigration is the one thing necessary,
will, no doubt, consider free trade a
cheap price to pay for diminishing the
number OF immigrants who land on
onr shores every year.
But, how about tho great army oil
wage workers in this country who arc
vitality interested in this question? Nc
doubt they would be pleased to see
this great flood OF immigration check,
ed especially so far as it would relate
to the worthless class of adventureri
who seek IN asylum here to screen
them from their crimes in the country
they have left but we very much
doubt il they are willing to become
the ardent advocates of free trade
which would cut their wages down II
level with European wages to accom-
plish that purpose. We do not beiievi
that the great number of working
men at Wilmington who regularly
vote with the Democratic party, they
can hardly tell why, would DO willing
to do so any longer, il they saw The
matter as these Pittsburg Methodist
ministers see it. Yet this is the prope
light in which to view 1t. There is nc
use beating around tLs bush or mine
ing matters over 1t.
England, and other European free
trade countries are In favor OF tht
democratic party Of this country, be
cause that party Is getting down I,
the European free-trade idea as fast a.
It can safely do SO, and that free trad,
policy means exactly the free-trad,
wages of Europe for the wage worker
of this country. The Democrats ma
talk about free raw material, such a
free wool, free lumber, free coal, FIRE
ores and free tin; they all sound yer
plausible to the ear, but after all tn
foundation OF it is free-trade and Ell
ropean low wages,
II the working men of Wilmingto
or any other city want to stop thi
flow OF Immigration to this countr
all they have to do is to fall in wit
the idea of these Methodist minister
referred to and vote the Democrat
ticket as that.would bring such 10y
wages that foreigners might as we
stay at home as to come here If bette
wages is what they are after.
Tue FIVE County Commissioner hi
is not law yet, Senator Williams
at home again with the govt. and hf
paired of until Tuesday with Senate
Richardson. As the legislature is
visit Delaware College on Tuesday, {
course nothing will be done until WoC
nesday, and SO majority rule will nc
be stamped out until that date at leas
and there may circumstances arise tn,
will prolong it.
The LEVY Court is pursuing the eve
tenor orits way in appointing ia
commissioners bridge tenders an
constables in spite OF the menaces
the new Five County Commission,