The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-05
The FOREIGNER snaaka.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Sfr: In answer TO tho
letter OF the american workingman" published ia
your issue OF March g. 1898. appealing to the citizens
to demand Of their representatives in Congress to
vote favorably for the Lodge Immigration bill or re.
tire them at the next election upon their failure to so
vote, / must freely confess. as q citizen Of the United
States. l cannot conceive any possible reason for this
action. Is this the method invoked by the few whose
hungry jaws for gain selfshly dem and the exclusion
from these shores OF the strong and stalwart peasant OF
the shores OF the Danube or the skilled mechanics Of
other parts OF Europe? Must the time honored policy
of natural liberty. SO long maintained and supported
by this country. be laid aside at the end Of tho
nineteenth century ? Certainly the Lodge bill has for
Its very object the violation Of this precious right.
which is attached to all human beings equally. when
1t demands OF those applying for admission TO our
shores the reading of q clause of our Constitution or
Declaration of Independence. Frequently IT has been
said the very purpose OF this is that only such will be
permitto to land who are learned and intelligent. |
would ask. how many of our naturalized as well as
our native born citizens are unable to undergo such a
own Language but still are unable TO command the
English in the Federal CONSTITUTIONS Large numbers.
ligence and learning, but 1T also needs men OF strong
physique; who can tn the unsettled lands ofthe West
est agricultural centres of the world.
speak With the utmost and de.lred sstisfacsion on
TN. subject. but 1t would be an experience for Mr..
cause Of his inability to read q sentence OF any com.
pilation In the language of that country. undoubt.
49, ~ WYNN ttkuiu buOn u ~ Hal1i
and denounce II as unjust, and why apply such a test
in a country like the I'm ted States. which stands to.
DAY In the eyes OF the nations Of the earth a. the
standard or high Institutions and civilization
All OF us have come Into this world as illiterates
and with . freedom to go wherever we please TO
Detter ourselves. Surprising before l gained admis-
sion to tho world. laws required me TO undergo o
civil service examination, - would not a protest
made by me- or In my behalf. that all persons arc
owners as tenants in common or the earth. and such
restrictions were breaking through the inviOlable
right or natural liberty to go where ! pleased without
hindrance. be sustained? This ! VIII leave to the
american WOrkingman to answer. | say keep
from our shores and refuse admission to those whom
the Laws OF 1893 enacted by Congress- exclude
such as e6'conyicts. persons likely to become public
charges, &C. But why have q sign at the entrance 81
ye that enter here y? for that 10 the inference thAS
can be drawn from this harsh and iniquitoua bill,
From tho letter OF the American Working man
us apparent that h' strongest argument In favor
OF this proposed Immigration law is that the rrduc'
tion OF compensation OF the lAborer TO starv alton
wages will result, This conclusion Is Ger taluly pre-
mature. The foreigner that comes to tn cSe shores
Tor his own use and PLAYING upon the market any
surplus. thus Increasing the opportunities Tor eN
change and necessitAting from time TO time the rec
CURED cOnvenienccs of transportation; here lalor
is sought TO construct railways, boats. and 0ihrr
apparatuso OF conveyance. As "A consequence of IN" Az
mission OF the foreign element. who quickly learn 10
demand American wages. we have an Abundance ~
posed to narrowness, which brings misery. The lods"
Dill manifestiy violates all nxed principles OF eco,
nomic truths. II Is time TO place restrictions uron
immigration when the country has been fully seiiIsd.
and surely II Ia not to-day. joins ], FEFscht
BRooKLYS. March Q. 1898.