The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-21

THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM.

what is the most vital question con-
fronting the people of the United States2"
1.-THE immigration problem"
Among other things Mr.. Edmunds, in
his discussion of the immigration prob
lem, said:
According to the prevailing system, the class
of people whom European nations do not re-
quire have been shipped over the seas to New
York.
These aliens do not readily assimilats with
American ideas and customs, although, 1t may
be said. they acquire our vices moro readily
than our virtues.
They constitute distinct nationalities, with
their own home preiudices. superstitions. per-
sonai habits and mode of life. at the same time
enjoying all the privileges OF American citizen
ship acquired in a brief period.
You and ! served our tweuty-one years ap-
premiership before we obtained those rights,
during which time We were educated to an I'M
derstanding of the principles OF republican
form of government.
We should welcome 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 adop-
ton.
A large proportion Of the country people of
France and Germany would become useful
citizens.
The urban immigrants arc apt to te unde.
sirable.
There is no reason why Russia, in her desire
70 get rid OF q certain number OF sectarians,
should send them to America, where they are
undesirable. A change should be made q. once,
and large proportion of the class of immi-
grants who have landed should be denied ad-
mission in the future.
The salvation of the republic, az IL exists, ac-
cording to the principles of its founders. hinges
~ n .hrn ra1 sx,a,, ~
eirable immigrants.
This is very strong language from one of
the coolest and most non-sentimental
statesmen in America. Mr.. Edmunds is q
man who never INDUCES in "gush" or
demogogy: he has a hard, keen. legal in
tellect and is an intensely practical man
who believes in timely legislation rather
than political buncombe speech on the
stump. He is out OF politics for life; is 81
years Of age, and the fact that such man
feels SO strongly on the subject that he
pronounces the immigration problem the
most vital question confronting the people
of the United States ought to rouse the
thoughtful statesmen of both the great
political parties to prompt action for the
passage of repressive legislation.
The intelligent senators and representa-
tives of the two political parties have
always been in accord on this subject.
The able Southern men know that every
argument they urge against the domina-
ton of the negro makes against the I'M
checked vomiting upon our shores by
Europe of the subterranean savages,
paupers and imbeciIes of her white
civilization. The intelligent statesmen
of the Pacific coast see clearly that if
Chinese restriction is necessary to save
the labor and civilization of this section
from degradation, similar legislation is
necessary to protect the labor and civil
ixation of the whole country, East and
West. from the annually increasing plague
of human lice from European Egypt.
While the leading statesmen of both the
great political parties have been in accord
in admitting that unrestricted immigra-
ton is an evil replete with mischief to the
institutions of the republic, the timidity
that many public men feel has always
prevented adequate legislation by congress-.
Mr.. Fdmunds and Mr.. Blaine, who both
vigorously advocated the enactment of
anti-Chnese laws, have more than once
urged the enactment of legislation TO
eheck the foul stream OF undesirable. obi
ous and injurious European immigration.
After the election of Harrison those who
had this subject at heart said: Now is
the time TO do something. Let US
send a bill through and correct the
abuse we all suffer from. Let us
have no politics in the matter and
act for the good of the country"
But there were always those who said, 10
quote the testimony of Senator Edmunds.
"Wait. We agree heartily as TO the mer-
Cts. It ought to be done. But wait until
after the congressional election. Wewill
surely antagonize the foreign vote II bill
10 introduced now"
And so indefinitely the inaction prevailed
ana prevails, and seems likely to prevail
until self-preservation will compel public
sentiment to force strong remedial legisl a.
ton 10 meet condition that Will soon
reach 4 crisis. Our present laws did not
exclude more than one-half of per cent.
OF the Immigrants who came last year, and
total cessation of immigration seems
TO be the only efectual remedy, 50
difficult is il in practice 10 sift the wheat
from the chat. The New York Board OF
Trade and Transportation has adopted a
resolution requesting congress TO consider
she question of total prohibition OF immi'
grafton for period of three years. The
proposed period of exclusion ought to be
extended - twenty-five years.
The Democratic party has grand oppor.
tunitv presented 20 it TO iuaugurate strin.
cent. drastic measures against this fright
ful evil of practically unrestricted foreign
immigration. Its orators during the cam
nairn have frequently asked tie question
..Why don't the Republican party. If il
really desires to protect American labo,
.gsinst foreign labor, exclude this annual
so,a of foreign immigration which is as
.rre in time, to lower the scale Of wage:
=, the unrestricted food OF Monaghan i'm