The Forum Volume 53 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915-01 edition. Excerpt: ...of the country excepting the Southern States. You have heard from the distinguished senior Senator from New _IerscentsY Mr. Martine, who is competent to speak for the Democracy of his State. He protests against it. I have not yet heard a single favorable opinion of the proposed policy from anyone competent to speak for the Dem0CraCY of the North. Surely the great State so well represented by my distinguished friend from Illinois Mr. Lewis does not ask for it, and win protest against it. What is to be gained by it? I ask those who advocate this restrictive policy what is to be gained by it? We need immigration. Why, we need it more than some of "5 appreciate. Do you stop to realize that the birth rate among the native Americans is year by year getting lower and lower? Fortunately, in that respect we are not so badly off as France, but we may profit by her exa.mPleAt the time of the Franco-Prussian War--44 years ago--France had a population of 37,000,000; Germany had 40,000,000. In the intervening 44 years the population of Germany has increased to 70,000,000, While the French are almost where they were 44 years ago, because they 0Il1Y show a net increase of 2,000,000. If we do not encourage foreign immigration, the consequences will be upon our own heads; the misfortune will be felt by the American people. Mr. President, the agitation for the exclusion of the immigrant at this time seems to be one of the manifestations of hysteria now afflicting the American people. They want change. They want experiment. The" Was a time in our history when we were regarded as an indestructible Uniflll of indestructible States. Nearly every one of the great propositions urged in the Congress in the recent past has been entirely destructive o