The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1915-01-28

government to be expressed, the very
mission and spirit VI the nation In re-
spect of its relations to the peoples
" the world at their border
The bill seeks 10 all but close the
lntes Of the asylum which have al
ways been open to those who can find
uo where else the right and OppOrtu-
nifty of constitutional agitation for
what they conceived 10 be- the natural
and inalicnahlc rights NJ men and II
excludes those tU whom the oppOrtuni.
Ties of elementary education have
been denied without regard to their
character their purposes, or their
natural capacity.
Restrictions like these adopted
curly In our history as a nation would
very materially have altered the
course and cooled the humane ardOrs
OF our politics The right Of political
n,ylum has brought to this country
many man of noble character and
elevated purpose, who was masked as
IN outlaw In his own less fortunate
land and who has Vet become an or.
luument to our citizenship and to our
public councils.
Effect Not Considered.
The children and the compatriots
II these illustrious Americans must
stand amazed tO sec the representa-
tiyes NJ their nation now resolved, In
the fullurss ~ our national strength
aud ut the maturity NJ our great in
stitutions to risk turning such men
back from our shores without test Of
quality or purpose,
1T IL difficult for me to believe
that the ful effect Of this feature "
the bill was realized when It was
framed and adopted and II Is imp0s
sihle Tor me- 10 assent To II In the
form IN which II Is here east. The
literacy test and the tests and restric
| tiIns which accompany H. constitute
nj even more radical change In the
policy uf the nation Hitherto we
have generously kept our doors open
tu all who we're not untitled by rea
son NJ disease or lnCapncity for self.
support or such personal records and
,nntecedcuts ns were likely to make
them II menace to our peace and or
der or to the wholesome and essential
relationships NJ life.
"In this bin II is proposed to turn
away from tests Of character and Of
quality and IN impose tests which eN-
clude and restrlct for the new tests
here embodied are not tests Of quality
or NJ character or of personal fitness,
hut tests NJ opportunity Those who
come seeking opportunity are not To
hc admitted unless they already have
rad one NJ the chief opportunities
they seek the opportunity Of educa.
tion
The object Of such provisions IL
restriction, not selection
III the people OF this country have
made up their minds To limit the
number Of immigrants by arbitrary
tests and va reverse the policy Of all
the generations Of Americans that
have gone before them, II II their right
~ do so have no license to stand
In their way Hut | do not believe
that they have. respectfully sub
init that no one can quote their man
date to that effect Has any political
! Wrty ever Ay0wed n policy of restric
/ ilon In this fundamental matter, gOn,
10 the country on II and been CON
mlsslOncd To control It's lcgislatlon7'
; Universally Deslredf
. Does this hlll rest on the conscious
+ pnd universal assent and desire NJ IN,
, American ueople3 doubt II. II 1,
{ because ! doubt II, that make bolt
. 10 dissent from IL | am willing I,
2 abide by the verdict, hut not until 4
i, has been rendered let the PLATFORM
= ~ parties spoak out upon this polic,
o and the people pronounce their wish
The matter ID too fundamental to b,
-. settled otherwise,
Il have nu pride OF, opinion on thl
question | am not foolish enough I,
profess 10 know the wishes aud Ideal
lt Americn better than the body o
Ter chosen representatives know them
u only want instruction direct from