Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-08-04

The New York papers mention unusual
activity in the formation of military regi-
ments and companies in that city, composed
of Irishmen. both Catholics and Orangemen.
Whether the motive for such organizations
at this time has any connection with the late
riots. or any reference to possible future
occasions for riots on any ground whatever,
we do not care to inquire. The formation Of
military organizations in New York city,
composed exclusively Of foreign born citizsns,
is no new thing, nor have the members Of
such organizations been from one European
nation alone Without any reference to
their origin, we have never had but one opin-
ION about such organizations, and that was
formed many years ago. We believe, and
have always believed, that they are wholly
inexpedient, ought never 20 have been al
| lowed, and ought now to be discountenanced
altogether We have never supposed that
such organizations were formed, as a rule,
with any evil intent, or were in any appre-
country; though it is at least supposable,with
the great influx of persons of foreign birth
which has taken place CT late years, and
which bids fair to continue for long while TO
come, that troubles might arise when military
organizations such as We speak Of might be
promotive of unpleasant disorders. Our OBJ
lection to them is on account of their injuri-
Gus effects on those who compose them, and
on the foreign-born portion of the com
munity.
1t is Of very great importance to all who
come from other lands to settle in the United
States, to share the privileges and RESPONSE
bilities of American citizens, that they
should as speedily as possible become familiar
with the peeuliarities of our institutions,
and enter fully into their spirit. They
ought, in other words, to Americanize them
selves as rapidly and as thoroughly as they
can. This does not imply that they should
crowd ont Of their minds all interest in their
father land, or cease to remember with af-
lection the relations and friends whom they
have left behind them. There is no danger
that they will do that. The natural instincts
Of humanity, and the strength with which,
as all the world experience shows, the adult
human being is attached to the country
where be was born, will always prevent any
such result. But they should keep in mind,
that for reasons quite satisfactory to them
selves, they have chosen to cast their lot in
another country, which, if it has much in
common with the country which they have
left, has great peculiarities of its own,
making it, as q whole, better place for
them and their descendants than the one
which they have left. A clannish adherence
to the usages and associations which they
have left behind them, cannot but be HIM
drance to their best progress. Appeals to
them as Frenehmen, as Germans, as Norwe-
gians, as Irishmen, as Italians, as English
men, to band themselves together in any
way, and especially in military organiza-
tons, lead to no conceivable good, and only
tend to make them tools of designing men,
who hope to profit by the influence and ae-
ton of such masses. The true WY for all
foreign born citizens, if they design to make
this free land their home, is to blend them
selves with American society in all VIII ole
some ways, to seek to become, gear by
year. less foreign in all their thoughts and
associations, and more and more A mericau
in their feelings, their actions, their plans,
and in their hopes for themselves and their
children 1t can never be necessary or ad-
vantageous to them to cherish intert SITS diff
ering from the common interest for, merg-
ing themselves in the mass of American citi-
zens, they will share alike the opportu mites
and advantages offered to the native born
and the encouragements and facilities so
offered will be more valuable than any they
can secure by independent organization For
this reason, all clannish action is undesir able
is a positive injury to those who share in
it. There is no occasion for any military
organization, especially, in this country, ex-
cept as part of the organized force of the
State or country, enlisted without dis tine