The National tribune., 1893-01-26
THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.
America for Freemen from All Countries of
the Earth.

America Tor fffemeh rom All OF
the Earth.
FRIENDS OF THE c. c.: Permit me few remarks
growing out of Brother Goodwin's recent letter
concerning the duties Of the C. c. and Guards in
the matter of Progress and Patriotism. in view of
the great influx Of iInn grants.
Much las been written the subject of nm-
grafton. The United States has been. as The gem
eral phrase has it, used AS dumping ground for
the refuse from foreign lands.
Undoubtedly it is true that there great
many persons coming from foreign lands who
brought here by no choice OF their own. On the
other hand it IL true that there are persons coming
from foreign lands who good citizens Of the
country in which they were born, and who have n
real desire 10 become good citizens OF their adopted
country.
Some Of our grandest citizens were and are men
of foreign birth. Anyone vino is versed in the his
this statement Therefore. IL would not be wise
exclude ali foreigners from our Shores but folly
the part of the party or parties, who would at
tempt such move, for it would be crushed out OF
existence.
We should have more stringent INN gration
laws. The time has come when intelligent men Of
foreign birth extraction, no less than those of
native birth and ancestry. begin to seriously ques-
ton whether the old policy of unrestricted immi-
grafton can be continued any longer
Unquestionably, one OF the most distinguishing
characteristics Of the American Government and
the people has always been the cordial hospitality
extended to all strangers seeking homes among US.
The theory Of our Government, the spirit Of our
people and The hitber to Existing industrial
ditions of the country have each contributed
principle, policy and practice of the American
people.
The boast that our land offers an asylum for the
down-trodden and oppressed OF other lands has
been idle one, but truth amply verified by
everyone of the millions that have sought refuge
and homes under our flag.
To this policy is traceabie an important part OF
| that u psraeied progress and development which
makes this country the wonder and admiration of
children have been important factors in every de-
parlinent of substantial growth, and they are
rightly entitled to a liberal share OF all the honor
glory and prosperity that attaches to whatever has
| been done by or in this, their adopted country.
! Conditions in this country have undergone a
marked change In several important particulars,
one of which Is the fierce competition in productive
labor While the large areas Of fertile public land
| invited the enterprising and industrious poor, the
| great body OF Immigrants were absorbed by the
country without any noticeable effect upon the
labor market. The situation is far different now.
The remaining unoccupied lands Of desirable char
acter insufficient to supply the needs that will
soon arise from the natural increase in population,
and continued unrestricted Immigration will in
tens'fy the struggle for homes. This struggle has
already commenced, and is growing harder at an
alarming rate This pressure bears upon the agr-
/ cuturist and all others in equal force.
1t is not at all probable, however. that public
sentiment will ever declare in favor of closing our
gates against ali kinds OF immigrants irrespective
OF their character or sntecedents But there is a
| strong and growing sentiment in favor of rigid
restriction of immigration in the interest of the
common welfare and safety of the Republic.
| Certain powerful corporations and trusts and
them to seek cheaper labor than could be supplied
| by either native woriSmen or the better class OF
| European immigrants have stimulated emigration
| from southern and western Europe of class
whose moral training is sadly deficient. and whose
| ideas of standards and life dangerously low.
1t Is sad but nevertheless true that these ignorant
brutalized people incapable OF being American
| lied. Their lack Of desire to become part aud
| parcel of our higher and nobier form of Govern
ment constitutes them "a constant menace to civil
order and civil morality.
The advance bulletins OF the last United States
census showing the extent to which these degraded
laborers have already crowded out all other work
ingmen, would probably be IA surprise TO the aver
age citizen, would also the figures showing the
number of Objectionable GLASS of immigrants still
arriving. They work for wages upon which an
| American or an Americanized Iaborer could not
| subsiss without greatly lowering his present to a
| very moderate standard of living; and In this fact
lies the peril Of this aud kindred classes OF foreign
immigration.
The primary wants of mankind are the necessi.
| ties of life. Following these como the comforts,
| oonveniences. and last, the luxuries of life. The
] millions who virtually imported to this coun-
try by the corporations, trusts and other gigantic
| and dangerous com bnstioRs which we have per-
| mittsd TO grow up and practically take charge oil
| the Government. are of tho most degraded
class. They have been accustomed to barely
| enough to keep body and soul together. and their