The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1923-11-21

mlSHC uOC greatly Increase .ouf uuue-
date danger to continue the quota
law, provided that 1880, and not 1910,
were made the ratio basis for admis-
sion. Up to 1880 fully IS per cent of
cur immigration was of the Nordic
types, the kindred, desirable, easily
assimilable kind. By 1910 it was an
overwhelming flood of inferior for
eign elements. Therefore, any con-
tinuance of the quota principle,
whether tentative or permanent, must
revert to that earlier period when the
influx was of character that did not
perceptibly lower our standards of
American private and public life.
Further, if that basis be retained,
the quota should be extended also to
all the countries of this continent, to
fortify our borders to the South and
North. 1 need only to remind you that
last year more than ten per cent of
all the aliens coming to US were from
Mexico, where the quota law does not
apply.
But regardless of whether or not
the quota basis be retained, we, as
Americans, seeking American SUI
premacy for this nation because that
IS altruism's highest goal, should de-
inand that any permanent immigra-
ticn policy shall bring about COM
plete reversal of the existing situa-
ton, both as to principle and practice.
Now, the immigration motive is all
in alien circles. Likewise, and equal
ly unstatesmanlike, the agencies for
the examination and admission of i'm
migrants are upon this side of the
water.
The Selection, and then the invita-
ton to come, should originate here:
the machinery should be there.
We should know, we must know,
lot by guesswork, but through exact
analysis of our needs, both the num-
Der and quality of people whose mi
grafton to America would be of last
ing advantage for all concerned. Their
domicile here cannot aid any element
if it enervates US. Our wholesome
ness, our stamina, as nation is the
hope of humanity everywhere. A sell
fish, militant, attention to the COM
posite character of our citizenship be-
comes at once the most sanity, unset
fish and altruistic endeavor to which
we can turn our hearts and hands.
I say, therefore, that eliminating en-
tirely all considerations save con-
structive benefit to ourselves, think
ing only of the fulfillments of Gods
purpose of a superior Christian civil
ization for America, after learning
where, why and to what extent immi-
grants can advance our common well
fare, we should say to kindred coun-
tries having our ideals and aspira-
tions:
"There is in America a place for
so many thousands, or tens of thou
sands, of your best citizens. We in
vite them to settle in this or that
particular place, where the need ex-
lists for agricultural production, or
creative labor. For their conven-
fence and our own safety, we will
move our Ellis Islands to your land.
That machinery, renovated and rein
vigorated with the true American
spirit, Will make all decisions as to
their physical, mental and moral fit
ness before your sons and daughters
begin the pilgrimage to America.
Their admissibility will be deter
mined before they start. Then no
uncertainty, no financial danger, no
dread of unsettled consequences, can
mar the journey.
Officially and spiritually will we
await their coming with words and
deeds of welcome. additionally, if
not directly by ties of blood, they will
be our kindred. We invite them to
come, to remain, to join with US in
the sacred creation of a country of
freedom and justice, governed by
and for the millions Of it's people, a
land of happy, wholesome homes, out
of which the spirit and purpose of
American patriotism shall overflow
to every nook and corner of the Re-
public, and finally in Gods good time,
bring its blessings to all mankind"
The divine intention, it seems to
me, has been manifest from the be-
ginning. Ages and ages before this
country was called America. He
fashioned this land in SURPRISING
beauty and placed in it and upon it
3 varied, exhaustless store of re-
sources to which His favored chill
dren could apply their genius and
attain new heights of human well
fare. On all the planet there was
no country approaching it's perfec-
ton. Throughout the centuries,
when man was savagely struggling
upward, learning the lessons of life
at the cost of death to himself and
devastation to his possessions, Amer
lea remained hidden. It was as
though His choicest earthly heritage
were being kept concealed until a
superior people should emerge to JUS
tify it's habitation. Certainly it 40
came to pass. The discovery, long
ldelaued Was timed to the aduant Of