Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-19
$4,000
DIR. Parker,
IHH4 G st. NV.


To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The press dispatches inform us that one
of the demands the commonweal army will
make upon Congress will be the pc ssage of
a law suspending foreign immigration. This
demand, at least, is a sensible one. 1t has
been apparent to every observing person for
a long time that the tide of indiscriminate
immigration into this country should be
stopped. Every social and economic con-
sideration has demanded it. The sound and
unimpassioned judgment of the country has
been in favor Of the severest possible re-
strictive laws-laws that would practically
all immigration. ! know OF no proposition
on which there is greater unanimity OF
opinion than this; and why one of the great
parties has not made ii a cardinal issue by
Incorporating in it's national platform a
declaration In favor of suspending immi-
grafton is one Of the political mysteries.
Unless the popular expression on this sub
ject is wholly misleading and meaningless.
such a party declaration would catch votes
as no other single proposition before the
country would be likely TO do.
1t seems to me IL cannot be successfully
gainsaid that all OF the departments of
States are overcrowded; that opportunities
for the native-born boy and girl have been
gradually lessening in number for years,
and that just in proportion TO the continued
irfsux of foreigners will this condition of
things become more pronounced. As a peo-
pie We have reached a point in our growth
where this consideration is forced upon us.
The policy Of our government in encourag-
ing immigration was wise and beneficial up
to a certain point Beyond that IL became
unwise and fraught with great danger to
the peace and comfort Of our people and the
permanency of the institutions of the re-
public. This fact may be unwelcome TO
many, yet II is a fact that we can no longer
shut our eyes to. 1t must be recognized:
and as a wise and Christian people we
should meet the issue and settle IL in the in
terests of all now living In this country and
for our children to come after us.
Intelligent citizens know how hard a task
that OF assimilating our foreign imrAigra-
ton is and how much more difficult II is
becoming each year. And II is this con-
sciousness on the part of the men and wo-
men upon whom devolves the task of keep
ing the republic in its place that makes
them feel alarmed for the safety of the
country. Every ship load of immigrants
landed upon our shores under conditions
now existing adds to and intensifies the
cause of this alarm. Intelligent citizens
feel and acknowledge this alarm and ask
In all candor IL there is no remedy Is
there? Are We powerless as a people in
this matter? Are We tied hand and foot so
that We cannot exercise the common right
of self-defense? Must we allow the repub-
lie to drift upon the shoals OF sure destruc-
ton without making an effort to do what
our better intelligence urges to do? IL is a
strange position for a nation of our intelli-
gence and strength to be In. Why are We
afraid, as a people. to speak out upon this
subject? What is of more consequence
Why are We afraid TO act? The time is not
far removed when action will be imperati
and II is the prayer Of every true American
that when the nation does fully awaken TO
its danger and the absolute necessity OF ac-
ton 1t will not be too late to act
WM. H. MICHAEL.