The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-10-28
EX-SENATOR EDmUNDs,s VIEWS.

i
The ". Y. Worlds correspondent at
| AK les Bains sends an account of an in
terview with ex-senator George f. Ed
munds of the 18th. In answer to the
question, "What is the most vital ques-
ton confronting the people of the United
States?" Mr.. Edmunds replied: The i'm
migration problem. The period has
been reached when action must be taken
to prevent horde of Europeans who
flock to America, from landing on our
shores. According to the prevailing
system, the class of people whom Euro
pean nations do not require, have been
shipped over seas to New York. These
aliens do not readily assimilate with
American ideas and customs, although
it may be said that they acquire our
vices more readily than our virtues. They
constitute distinct Nationalities, with
their own home prejudices, Superstitions,
personal habits and modes of life, while
at the same time enjoying all the priv
leges of American citizenship, acquired
in brief period. You and | served our
twenty-one years apprenticeship before
we attained those rights, during which
time we were educated to an understand
ing of the principles of a Republican
| form of Government. We should well
come the industrious, honest, immigrant,
who leaves his home in over-crOwded
Europe to improve his condition and to
become identified with the land of his
adoption. A large proportion Of the
country people of France and Germany
would become useful citizens. The urban
immigrants are apt to be undesirable.
! There is no reason why Russia, in her de-
sire to get rid of a certain number of sec
| tar Shnnll Sand thnnn IA, A
where they are undesirable. Steamship
companies, from business reasons, have
encouraged immigration, regardless of
The character of material they transport
A change should be made at once, and u
large proportion of the class of immi-
grants who have landed, should be de-
MED admission in the future. The recent
law passed by Congress, regulating i'm
migration, was step in the right direc-
ton, but very incomplete" Mr. Ed
munds spoke of the difficulty of securing
legislation, for fear of antagonizing the
foreign vote, and added: FINALLY, self
preservation will compel public senti-
ment to force strong remedial legisla-
ton. The salvation of the Republic, as
it exists, according to the principles of
its founders, hinges on cessation of the
abnormal influx of undesirable immi-
grants" Mr.. Edmunds thinks there are
not any legal constitutional barriers in
the way of legislation to prevent immi-
grafton. The ex-senator was asked what
he thought the outlook for next Novem-
Der was, and replied: 1.-THE country has
received political platforms and addresses
of candidates for the presidency, and the
merits of respective party claims have
been or are being weighed. The neces-
sity for the maintenance of Protective
system is so obvious that the weight of
sentiment and practical influence will be
thrown in its favor. The substantial
elements will generally support the party
that will give the best return. The dis
interested, intelligent sentiment, whether
it be that of banker, merchant, trader,
mechanic or workingman, demands the
Protective system, and cOrruptly OBJ
tanned maj0rities in the great centres of
population will not prevail against it.
anticipate the reelection of President
Harrison, for the reason that he, as
everybody knows, is conscientious, safe
Executive, who is always cognizant that
he is, like you or |, bound by the law,
He represents the Republican party and
he is wise and discreet. Public interest
will continue safe in his hands. He is
! DuChtu ny lilIGt-lOulIliS vi Ills D'tlJNs i
speak broadly, in the measures he advo.
Gates and supports. This gives him great
popular strength, for the President may
have views that are at variance with
those of the larger portion of his practi
cal associates, as Cleveland had. Cleve
land has no such solid backing. regard
him personally as strong, able and hon
est, and courageous. His recent letter
of acceptance, in which ne virtually de
fies his party, proves this. They have
to accept what he says, because they
cannot help themselves. The Democratic
party will swallow almost anything tC
obtain aScendency again, but Cleveland
financial views are not supported by Z
majority of the Democracy. A ma jOrity
voted for the free silver scheme in the
last Congress, and Cleveland, we are leo
to suppose, will oppose this. His mod
Grafton on the tariff question is antago
nistic to the wishes of powerful cOntin
gent of his party, also could he resist the
pressure that would weigh on him tire
menduously, in the event of his election
This is a question that the voters mus
ask themselves if they are wavering.'
Mr.. Edmunds thinks ''the recent elec
J tons in Vermont have no political mean
ing, except that the Democrats pOlleC
, nearly a full vote, or cuite so, and tina
, there were many Republicans who re
, manned at home. Vermont is almost en-
r tirely an agricultural, native population
, and generally Republicans, and the!
, know the State is securely for thei
, party. In every district there may have
= been five, ten, twenty men who were il
7 the middle of their harvest on election
day. They reasoned, why should we g
two miles, say, to vote, when the Legis
/ lature will be three to one Republican
) and our candidate for Governor will b.
elected beyond peradventure. They re
manned on the farm. The Democrat
have gained in strength slowly, owing t.
I, the influx of Irish and French Canadians
!, The recent election had no connection
> directly or indirectly, with the presi
Genital election to come.
PERSONAL.