The record-union., 1895-01-21
RESTRICTION OF IMMIGRATION.

In December last we referred to the
formation of a new league of national
character, designed to promote the de-
mand for greater restrictions to be laid
on immigration into the United States. so
far as the undesirable classes are con-
cerned.
At that time the details of the organiza-
ton were not at hand, though we were
enabled to set forth the general purposes
and some Of the reasons advanced for the
necessity of the movement. There is
now at hand the official address Of the
league. At its head we find the name, as
President, of j ohm Fiske, the well-known
publicist, historian and scholar. The
Vice-Presidents are not less prominent
in public life, namely, Samuel B. Capen.
Hon. George f. Edmunds, George S.
Hale, Henry Lee, Richmond Mayo
Smith, Robert Treat Paine, Hon. Henry
Parkman, Thomas f. Ring, Hon. Lever
EFT Saltonstall and Professor Nathaniel
S. Shaler.
The purposes of the league, as set out
by Mr.. Fiske, are much as we first had
them, but they will bear repetition:
The objects of this league shall be to advo-
cate and work for the further judicious re-
striction or stricter regulation of immigra-
ton, to issue documents and circulars solicit
facts and information on that subject, hold
public meetings and to arouse public opin-
ION to the necessity of q further exclusion OF
elements undesirable for citizenship or injuri-
Gus to our national character. 1t is not an
object or this league to advocate the eXclu-
sion of laborers or other Immigrants of such
character and standards fit them TO be-
come citizens. The league is strictly nOn-
partisan, nOn-political, and non-sectarian,
and is not theoretical but a working body.
IL has already in its membership men of all
parties from all over the country. The league
has Specia. committees to furnish informa-
tion through the press, to investigate special
topics, prepare publications, and to encourage
formation of similar leagues.
The position is taken, and it is one of
much strength. that restriction of immi-
grafton is of social rather than economic
importance, since the duty incumbent
upon us to preserve intact our national
character is not merely political duty,
but relates to the social structure of our
civilization. The doctrine long has been
that it is the right of men to migrate
freely, but the league puts to the citizen
this question, in fact: SIS there not an
which we do not, the higher right to pre-
serve our social, moral and political in
tegrity? When these are crossed by the
assumption of right to migrate freely,
which shall yield ?'
The league addresses itself especially
to the American workman, saying:
The league believes that this question is OF
especial interest and Importance to every edu,
Gated American workingman. The competi.
ton OF his equals is desirable and healthy
and should not be restricted but the effect
upon his wages and standards of living from
undesirable and degraded competitors may
well be seriously considered by him.
The RECORD UNION has long demanded
that the bars be put up higher, because it
has long been convinced that we are re-
ceiving elements our system and civiliza-
ton do not digest, and that tend rather to
put apart than to bind together. That
the organization will meet with much
favor goes without saying, for it is not
secret in its activity, is open and above
board in its declarations, and it responds
to rapidly growing conviction that
further restriction must be placed upon
immigration into the United States not
only for protection to our own but to
those who are induced to come into the
land with only the hope before them OF
being elbowed to the wall or returned
to their point of departure as