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.