Such legislation
will be in the interests of humanity, and seems to be fully justifiable.
The immigrant is not a citizen of any State or Territory upon his
arrival, but comes here to become a citizen of a great Republic, free
to change his residence at will, to enjoy the blessings of a protecting
Government, where all are equal before the law, and to add to the
national wealth by his industry.
On his arrival he does not know States or corporations, but confides
implicitly in the protecting arm of the great, free country of which
he has heard so much before leaving his native land. It is a source of
serious disappointment and discouragement to those who start with means
sufficient to support them comfortably until they can choose a residence
and begin employment for a comfortable support to find themselves
subject to ill treatment and every discomfort on their passage here, and
at the end of their journey seized upon by professed friends, claiming
legal right to take charge of them for their protection, who do not
leave them until all their resources are exhausted, when they are
abandoned in a strange land, surrounded by strangers, without employment
and ignorant of the means of securing it. Under the present system this
is the fate of thousands annually, the exposures on shipboard and the
treatment on landing driving thousands to lives of vice and shame who,
with proper humane treatment, might become useful and respectable
members of society.
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