The Ocala evening star., 1915-01-30

their borders. 1t seeks to all but
close entirely the gates of asylum
which have always been open to those
who could find nowhere else the right
and opportunity of constitutional agi-
tation for what they conceived to be
the natural and inalienable rights of
men; and it excludes those to whom
the opportunities of elementary edu-N
cation have been denied, without re-
gard to their character, their pur-
poses, or their natural capacity.
Right of Political Asylum
Restrictions like these adopted
earlier in our history as. a nation
would have very materially altered
the course and cooled the humane ar
dor of our politics. The right of po-
itical asylum has brought to this
country many man of noble char
acter and elevated purposes who was
marked as an outlaw in his own less
fortunate land, and who has yet be-
come an ornament to our citizenship
and to our public councils.
"The children and the compatriot
of these illustrious Americans must
stand amazed to see the representa-
tives of their nation now resolved in
the fullness of our national strength
and at the maturity of our great in
stitution to risk turning such men
back from our shores without test of
quality or purpose. 1t is difficult for
me to believe that the full effect of
this feature of the bill was realized
when it was framed and adopted, and
it is impossible for me to assent to
it in the form in which it is here
cast.
The Literacy Test
"The literacy test and the tests and
restrictions which accompany it, con-
stitutes an even more radical change
in the policy of the nation. Hitherto
we have generously kept our doors
open to all who. were not untitled By
reason of disease or ineapacity for
self-support or such personal records
and antecedents as were likely to
make them menace to our peace and
order, or to the wholesome and es-
sential relationships of life. In this
bill it is proposed to turn sway from
tests of character and of quality and
to impose tests which exclude and re
strict; for the new tests here en-
bodied are not tests of quality or Of
character or of personal fitness, but
tests Of opportunity. Those who
come seeking opportunity are not to
be admitted unless they have already
had one Of the chief Of the oppor-
/ tunities they seek-the opportunity Of
education. The object of such proyis-
/ ions is restriction, not selection.
IF the people Of this county have
made up their minds to limit the nam-
Der Of immigrants by arbitrary tests
and so reverse the policy Of all the
generations of Americans that have
gore before them, it is their right to
do SO. am their servant and have
no license to stand IN their way. But
Il do not believe that they have
respectfully submit that no one can
quote their mandate to that effect.
Has any political party ever avowed
a policy Of restriction il this funda-
mental matter. gone to the country on
it. and been commissioned to control
its legislation? Does this bill rest
I upon the conscious and universal as
sent and desire Of the American peo-
pie? / doubt it. It is because I
doubt it, that / make bold to dissent
from IT. I am willing to abide by
the verdict, but not until it has been
rendered. Let the platforms of par
ties speak out upon this policy and
the people pronounce their wish. The
matter is too fundamental to be set
tied otherwise.
II have no pride of opinion On this
question. l am not foolish enough TO
5 profess to know the wishes and ideals
of America better than the body of her
chosen representatives know them.
only want instruction direct from
those whose fortunes, with ours and
al mems are involved"
Other business IN the house was
suspended while the presidents veto
! message was read. It evoked ap-
plause on the democratic side and from
some republicans.
cat the proper time said Repre-
sentative Burnett, 81 shall move re-
iderat;or, Of tha- veto hv HHhiell me