The record-union., 1894-12-08

tries Increases disproportionally that
even IN the panic year of 1893 "a there
were 5ll,404 immigrants-an average of
o0o per day; that as regards their distri-
button A per cent. live in the 124 princi-
pal cities of the United States; that, as
bearing on their assimilation, of the total
Iorelgn-born males over 81 years of age
oZS per cent. are not naturalized and 32.6
do not speak English; that a foreign-born
population of the United States, which is
I4.V per cent. of the total, furnishes one
third of ali the insane and nearly one
half of all the paupers.
1t is held by the league that the restric-
ton question is one of social rather than
of political character; that while we may
believe the right of men to freely migrate,
there is higher right, namely, that of
the United States to preserve its moral,
social and political integrity. Three of
the strongest points made in the docu-
ments sent out by the league are:
tirst-It is for the interest OF the working
men ana OF the trades unions that none but
honest, Industrious, healthy and lit imni-
grants snail be allowed to enter the United
states as competitors. The protection which
an American wor6inguan needs is against
those classes of laBOrers who come here with
loWer standards, lower aims, lower desires
ana lower morals. The competition OF his
equals need not and ought BOT to be feared,
Dut the unlimited freedom Of immigration OF
otleF classes, now allowed, tends TO depTess
wages ana degrade the high standards OF Nv
ing and character OF the American citizen.
Second-At the present time when there is
put q small immigration, further restrictions
can be imposed with the least hardship to
Iqtnfe immigrants and the least injustice to
a.! classes.
Ihird-As soon as our financial prospects
brighten considerably the tide OF immigration
VIII sweep in upon us again, probably in
greater volume Than ever before, and we
should be prepared In time. Because the best
service that Americans can render to the
world is to preserve the American Republic
| ana the high standard OF American citizen
ship, and this cannot be done unless steps are
| at once taken to debar from our shores all
those who are united to become American
citizens.
Among the twenty reasons SGT forth
by the league for the restriction of immi-
grafton we do not find any reference
whatever to the anarchist, the radical
| or destructive socialist or to those dis
turbers who hold to and practice the gos-
pei OF dynamite. Perhaps the following,
the nineteenth reason, may be held to in
clude these classes, but it is lacking in
definiteness and precision. Why not
have spoken Enthusiastically on this point?
Observation-Disclosures the immigration of re-
cent years Is largely composed OF elements
oil s.ly,a-
ernment or TO take part in the duties and
Responsibilities OF citizenship under such u
form OF government.
1t IS humiliating that any considerable
number Of our people should feel it to be
necessary to form an organization Of this
character. Our National Legislature, if
it is truly representative body, ought to
be equal to the task Of taking up and dis
posing of the subject; for we undertake e
to say that the sentiment of the people is
| right on this question; the National heart
| is sound upon it; the great majority of
the people do demand better and stricter
restriction, and our Congressman are
fully aware of this sentiment. But it is
to be replied that political jealousies,
carelessness and procrastination operate
TO prevent speedy action by Congress.
What the league should do, therefore,
is to address itself to Congress at once
for public opinion is already aroused"
and there is no need to move further in
that direction. Let the league bend it's
energies 10 the arousing of Congress
rather than public opinion.
The organization is not secret one; it
seems to be working openly and with
out concealment, and for a purpose that
has the approval of the great body of
Americans. We cannot see, therefore,
why it should not have public commen-
dation. We confess that it does not go
far enough to suit us. We would hold
the league in higher esteem if instead of
attempting to further stir public opinion.
it would suggest, out of hand, form of
legislation and Of regulations needed, and
ask the opinion of the people and the
press upon them, and in the meantime
secure the introduction of the measures
into one or the other of the houses of Con-
gress. We would then have something
definite upon which to make fight, for
or against.