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About The united American : a magazine of good citizenchip. (Portland, Or.) 1923-1927 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1925)
Page Fourteen THE UNITED AMERICAN clearly define the measure as a measure of protection of the alien within his rights, as against the encroach ment of aliens without these rights, under the immi gration law. The provisions for a departmental system of supervision, checking and investigation should be broad enough to make it possible that the legitimately admitted and honorable alien could feel a helpful gov- vernmental contact during the entire five year resi dential qualification period. In this way alone could the attacks from the foreign colony groups be rendered least effective. The registration card should be an official department card with no fraternity embellish ments to detract from the desired contact between Uncle Sam and his adopted children, citizens in the making. The most wholesome argument for a present day registration of aliens in America, is the immigration restriction law itself. The conditions set up are in many instances such as to suggest illegal entry as an alternative. It has therefore become necessary to do something, in an intelligent way, to make American laws respected, or we will ere long become a nation of notorious law violators and “scofflaws” with a peculiar sensational urge to applaud violations as far as we are able to get by. If an enacted law is too drastic to meet with general public approval, instead of attempting to enforce it, we should in the interest of common decency repeal it. One of the most admirable traits in American citizenship is open-mindedness. Let us be suffiiciently open-minded at all times to reverse ourselves in our contentions when our ideas prove impossible of realization. There can be no question that the chief inadequacy in the present immigration law is not the restrictions and limitations placed therein, as far as it is deemed essential to America’s economic, physical and moral well-being, but in the clear and unmistakable racial and religious qualifications that are too plain to be a ques tion of dispute. But it is the law, and we should bend every energy in the direction of its enforcement, no matter who is affected, and meanwhile be making observations of the workings of the law, which would enable us to propose something of a constructive nature, a product of un biased minds, and adequate for an intelligent adjust ment. When the Nordic sop — which, for a purpose, was thrown to the public by crafty political panhandlers — loses its flavor, the mental agony which needlessly has been disturbing our civic cosmos, will pass away. When that time comes, and it is coming fast, we shall be in a better position than we are at the present moment to adjust the wrongs perpetrated against the American principles of equality. * * * In our search for means by which to enforce the im migration law, it has been observed, with some alarm, that the most aggravating violations of the law and its specific provisions, except for the Mexicans (who are furnishing a ready supply af cheap labor in certain industrial fields), are those that originate with the nationalities and races that are distinctly favored under the law. The “leaks” across our boundaries, mainly our northern boundary line, have' been increasing in volume until they now constitute veritable streams. The NOVEMBER 1925 “Nordic” example as such, and as we find it today, is evi dently, in certain respects, not the recipe which is going to cure all the ills, neither in America nor elsewhere. But the Nordic violators of a Nordic law should be held as amenable to the law as all others. For that reason we are inclined to believe that a simple and expedient system of alien registration will give us some specific benefits that may be briefly summarized in the following ten points: First, the most direct weapon with which to check on the illegal, the undesirable and the radical entrant. Second, elimination of wasted energy in the Ameri canization and adult education work, which is now being financed, if in a limited way, by civic bodies, by commu- ities, by some of the states and, to a small extent and as a beginning, by the federal government. Third, a more specific interest, on the part of the immigrant, in his gradual progress in citizenship quali fications during the five year residential interim. Fourth, a proportionate decline in the alien interest in the foreign group of his nationals, as he becomes interested in the benefits that accrue in his favor, to the extent that he shows himself capable of adjust ment in conformity to the American code of life. Fifth, a lessening of the poignant antipathy pre- velent at large against all aliens and their present mode of life in America, revealing a tenacious clinging to old country standards. Sixth, a more homogeneous spirit of good help fulness and interest in the great American business of civic responsibility and co-ordination in citizenship. Seventh, a helpful means to bridge the chasm be tween the foreign bom and the native bom, provided through constant contact as information is asked and furnished. Eight, an excellent weapon against the radical alien who is here for the purpose of spreading dissension and strife, eventually furnishing the intelligence necessary to seek his elimination. Ninth, the agency by which the indifferent and mentally lazy as well as the “too proud to learn” aliens, will be prodded along in a kindly way to redeem them selves and make good on their intentions. Tenth, a means by which the alien will come to appreciate fully what is expected of him, in under standing and love of his adopted country, and that it is expected of him that during the five years residential qualification period he shall develop that intelligence and acquire the knowledge in the language, the history and the civics of America to render his naturalization preparation, at the end of that time, not a matter of grief, fear, struggle, anguish and regrets, but one of happiness, joy and festal welcome. A registration system properly devised and properly handled could render possible these attainments; but a registration plan ill prepared and opening the way for additional abuses, distrust and contempt, will only saddle a greater burden onto the shoulders of those who have gone forth with the kindly Americanizing spirit, interpreting America and its real purposes to those whose spirits are weary and whose hearts are sore, because they have been treated contemptuously and unfairly by that part of America that has failed to acquire an appreciation of their personal relation to the American principle of human equality.