Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-29

+. Now, the question naturally arises as to
Whctner ca not. in the present state of
our economic development We are in IL
POSITION to do without the low labor
Icrces that We have 80 far found indls-
nensihie N developing our material re-
sources ana 10 carry on the great enter
prises, even. now under way, without the
aid or the plodding foreigner. whose only
capital ~ his pick and shovel ! say that
We are not, and If they are kept out our
progress as nation must suffer detri-
ment. The patient, delving European has
been the fulcrum and American BRAINS
aud enterprise the lever Of our great ma
tional progress.
II we hope TO continue our marvellous
development, we must not turn the immi-
The cry Of CANA for he GhinessS pre- ,iso
vailed ard became a law in one of the
richest quarters of the globe, among a
people who had already reached a hign
STATE of civilization Since that time
their faces, have, been turned backward
ard they have been simply worshiping
| he shade Of their ancestors.
And Yet there are in this age, and in
| this country, men who would have us
practice Chinese craftsmanship. But
their advice will never be accepted. The
American people are an intelligent people.
| They realize that the immigrant founded
| this country: that ii was by his aid that
| it has bsen brought up to its present
| state OF perfection, and that for years
| he has furnished us with. the brain and
bone, the muscle and sinew necessary for
| a developing people.
| Not only has our country been benefited
| by the Immigrant but the benefit has
\ been mutual. Frem the ignorance, dark
ness and vice OF The Old World he sud
| denly steps into the light liberty and
| promise which America offers her low
/ Hest son.
We are doing a great work for Chris
| tianity and humanity by the civilization
| of these masses. We are doing the great
1 .y mi jaa,u nv marion has
1 ever proposed or conceived. We nave
| passed beyond the selfish period where
/ We close our eyes on their suffering III
| the Old World. and. turning away our
ears from their cries of hunger and OPP
preston, from the wall of the Jews who
are outraged by the Car, and the irish
| who are forced to give up their last grain
| Of wheat to pay the rent say, America
n Is for Americans"
I That policy is too narrowsminded and
| especially for a nation that processes TO
be haven of refuge for all men we
| have stretched our welcoming hands 70
all the children OF want and tyranny ana
| babe them come to this land of promise,
| where every individual is free TO do ms
| best and to make the most of himseli.
For four centuries We have done this and
for four centuries We have prospered as
no other nation has ever prospered.
| We aim TO absorb the best ideas OF
other lands and to Teject the fallacies and
| weaknesses of the Old World, method
| Ia WHICH / believe We are lifSSiy luutbt-
"a for the splendid results of which we sc
| rlgntfully boast. And have we not Il
right 10 rejoice and boast? Has not oul
| greatness expanded like the oak, boie
upon bole. ring upon ring. ana spread
It's branches from sea 10 sea, from gun
t. lake? Our benevolence and learning
and wealth and splendor and commerce
have become the cynosure of all eyes
even as our country is the refuge of al
people.
Shall we then exclude these people!
Shall our country be shackled by a
| wrongful constraint? Shall we with oui
opportunities be afraid of competition
| No, Rather let us adhere to the noble
sentiments of our fathers who in the
DAYS of our Revolution proclaimed the
unity Of nations and the brotherhood ol
| mankind. We have coal enough 10 warn
ill our friends, and iron enough to vel
| come all our enemies
with bloodylhands to hospitable graves
as witness the heights of Gettysburg. OF
the bloody plains of Antietam. let Us
| then welcome all these kinsmen OF ours
> Let them cast their lot with ours, toi
| willing hands would find waiting WORK
| to yield a livelihood.
II Whittier in his Centennial Poem" says
| that:
"To grace our festal time. from all
The zones of earth our guests we call
!; And asks God to be with US while
THE New World sreets
The Old World thronging all its streets
I dwelling all the triumphs won,
| I:y art or toll beneath the sun,
And unto common good ordain
This rivalship of hand and BRAIN
Then let us save from stain the ma
: tion's honor; do justice to these people
and the very stars of the old flag vii
! shine out brighter; gladden. the hearts
II AMI homes that were in sorrow and sad
! ness during the long years of oppression
| and our country will be stronger ane
z greater. And when the pendulum of time
| shall have swung the are of century
and the hundredth stroke shall peal gu
| over our wide. peaceful and prosperous
| land. let us hope that 1t may sound th'
eternal requiem of ali sectional animositN
au1 herald a peace that shall have nc
end.