The National tribune., 1896-05-14
RESTRICTING IMMIGRATION.


DEAR FRIENDS OF THE L.H.W AND &C:
/ Upon receiving THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE OF
April % / turned at once to tho columns de-
voted to cur discussions and conversation, and
found much 10 interest and some instruction.
The prize papers. Memorial Day" and In
fuence of Reading" are very good, and worthy
OF thoughtful consideration; but regret TO feel
it incumbent upon me as a member OF the
L.li.W. to disagree with the writer OF the paper
on Restricting Immigration"
The author says: Our hard times are largely
due to foreign immigration" ] have heard
many causes assigned for this condition OF
things, but never heard until now that the
ignorant foreigners" were TO blame. Our
politicians lay the hard times TO the currency
and tariff. Miss Davis says that the majority
of the immigrants who come to this country
are of low, ignorant class, who do not intend
to remain here" etc.
Let US see how this is. From the year 1S4l
to 1890 there came to the United States from
the United Kingdom Of Great Britain, 5,9is, 445
imm grants. The great ma ority of these were
young men and women, fairly well educated,
who came here to make this country their
home.
in the same time there arrived from Ger
many 4, 95l immigrants. As education is
compulsory in Germany, il is safe to say these
Germans were moi ignorant or low. They are
the people who settled Wisconsin, Minnesota,
and other of our Western States. They a'e tie
bone and sinew of the land. Thousands OF
their sons fought in the ranks Of The Union
armies during the rebellion. The same is true
Of those who came from Great Britain.
Mulhali estimates the number OF individuals
who emigrated from Europe in % vears-lSi6
to 1SS6-at %, DOS 600. OF these $4,000, 600 came
to the United States. Who can estimate the inn
mense value OF the industry and labor performed
by these $4,000, 900 people?
q These people have no love for America"
says Miss Davis. The rosters of the Adjutant-
Generals Offices in all the loyal States con-
tradict tina: statement. Thousands laid down
their lives for their adopted country.
Our country drained Of its wealth J" Pray,
who created the wealth thus drained from Us?
Does not labor create all wealth? But il would
! take more time than have at command and
more space than The NATIoNAL TRIBUNE has
TO spare TO correct them in the paper named.
Permit me to say few words about the state
ment that Chicago is an ideal American city,
or a true American city"
This is not fact The population Of Chicago
in 1880 was ]. 099, l33 and Of this number there
were 40 GO6 foreign born. The population Of
New York City in 1890 was l5l3, sol, and the
foreign born numbered 639,943. So it appears
that Chicago has much larger percentage of
foreign-born people than New York, or any
other city in the United States.
The city Of Philadelphia has. probably, the
smallest number Of foreign-horu residents OF
any OF the large cities in the United States; the
population Of Philadel phia being l.0s6, -452 aud
the number Of foreign born 269.4S0.
What is true American .? If we look
for a genuine American must 90 to the
Indians. They arc the aboriginal Americans
We are al the descendants of foreigners. As
William Lloyd Garrison said in his recent ad-
dress on foreign immi grafton in Boston: ave
are Nation Of descendants Of foreigners"
What would this country he to-day we're it
not for foreign immigration | would advise
all the &C. and I'll. VS. to look at this ques-
tion in ali its bearings. It's too late to return
TO the tactics OF the Pur!taus. Let us welcome
with open arms ail who come to our shores
with the intention Of making this country their
+ home.
We have room enough for all We want
4 stroBr, healthy mon and women to fill up our
new States. The State Of Texas has territory
TO support $4,000. GO people. Sift immigrants
if you will. bat do not forbid them coming.
The United States 81 America is destined to
be the greatest Nation the sun ever shone
upon. Rome ia her grandeur, with it's popu-
lation OF l40,G10,009. one-h=If OF them slaves.
will appear babe compared to the United
1 States with It's 900, CSC Geo freemen.
Immigrai ION from the East 10 the West is a
natural law. When the Southern and Western
/ States are populated as Massachusetts now is
AHc LultEb s~Edtcs " III DC tue IsOIQeSL nation
aud greatest on the earth. Let us extend a
/ welcoming hand TO the oppressed aud down
tr0dden Of all lands. remembering that we arc
all members Of one great family, and have for
our motto, The FAihcrhood Of God and the
/ Br0i herhood Of Man"
The mission Of this Republic is to learen all
] peoples with the leaven OF Republican priuci-
/ pies and ia time create system Of Republics
/ throughout the earth. May tiod hasten The
day when the people will establish Govern.
menis for the people. by the people," and
Kings and Queens will live only iii history.
! Yours Pro Pair;a-
James Mckcnna, Pittsfeld, Mass.