The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-08-27
American Nationalism.

The one grave question in which. our
social and political fabric is now in
volved is the important one that touches
the expediency or inexpedicncy Of re-
stricted foreign immigration, and as this
influx of humanity continues to steadily
pour upon our shores, in time it must
become the most prominent for the
sagacious legislator to consider. The
outlook for the peace and prosperity of
the country forecasts even in the mind
of the most philanthropic an alarming
state of affairs, and no man can be
regarded as an alarmist when the
question is discussed from lib
eral and patriotic standpoint, for our
national individuality has drifted so far
from its original moorings that on every
side the inquiry is oftencst asked by the
thoroughly Americanized, Whittier are
we going as q nation at this break-neck
speed. increasing in rapidity with each
new foreign arrival, and when, and at
what point, shall halt be demanded in
our social disorders, and sentiment
cultivated to check the brazen corrup-
tions that ramify almost every public
trust? The causes that produce these
conditions are apparent; and to bring
such startling condition of affairs to
standstill, whence American progress
and social contentment and public hon-
esty can be shaped to its original pur-
pose, the antitheses of these causes
must be brought into play, gradual in
their reactionary movement, or. II need
be, by sweeping abrogation OF sys-
tenn to which these evils may be traced.
No other nation has the same
heterogeneity as, ours in race, in belief
and in instinct. Every impulse, in
fact, and every sentiment that may be
attributed to rational being is among
us and OF us, a potent factor for evil OK
for good to the commonwealth. Tho
people of the South, especially in ths
rural districts, have not felt this evil a.
ether portions of the country have ex-
perienced,. for in any large city in the
Eastern or Western States the five types
of man may be found intermingling.
but all striving heroically to maintain
their race individuality. even to the
ditfuse dialects of the fatherland, and
it is their constant boast that they hold
the; balance Of power in all political
actions. which is grievous fact.
The time was when America needed
population to people her unexplored
Western domain. and warm welcome
was extended to all that sought her
flag, but since she has been made the
mere dumping ground Of the vilest sle-
ments Of the human species, this feeling
OF welcome to the land of liberty aaa
civiliequality has changed rather t0a
sense OF suspicion and growing disgust.
And what'has produced this fealins but
the manner in which the kindness oe :
free country has been accepted. Out Of
this dominant conglomerate Of foreign
Ignorance and audacity, these swarming
refnge seekers who conceive of govern-
ment as,do petty tyrants,, who bring
with them the seed of ruinous socials.
ism ndioemmunism, who disseminate.
a savage nihilism and anarchy even boz.
fore the laws, the customs or the LAM,
guage ofthe country is understood, why
the alarm every day is becoming more.
prevalent that America is dangerously
nearing the precipice of great national.
disturbance. Yet this state of. affairs i
traceable. to what the sentimental hu-.
.manitarian and spouting demogogus
delights to characterize as a philan-.
thrnpy that opens wide its arms to the
oppressed of all nations, while under
the. heneficient invitation, called the
immigration laws. phiIanthropic Amer
lea. herself is becoming oppressed by 8.
growing incubus that poisons every
spring. Of the social state, political and [
religious For no soener does tho ref
ugee-too often an agitator in, disguise.
become citizen through the absurd.
ly rapid process of naturalization, than
invariably he aligns. himself aeon
stitneney where his own nationality is
dominant and where majority cares
not so much for the institutions of his.
adopted government as he wishes to.
learn the purchasing power ofhis vote.
Thus the house ofirefugs is being grad
ually but surely turned into multitude.
of foreign factions and ideas. The.
truly Americans no matter; how re-
naotely through a line Of ancestors, on
how Immediately through his own aot
he has undertaken to support this goy-
ernmeEt in its. original purity. has
stood aloof ard looked on. with infliffer-
ence long enough. After Ne has watch-
ed the tendency he must not, nor can
he longer regard with apathetic con-
Germ the action Of the newly fedged
citizen. wha straightway endeavors to
engraft his imported ideas, however
crude, or else throws himself unre-
servediy into the arms Of scheming.
unprincipled leader that knows. as lit
tie abouk America, har institutions and
aims as his blind follower. Il. is q na-
ism which needs only to be repeated
that mo- government can be, stable AN.
less there is honaogeneity among it,
ruling elements, and also no. true patri.
otisrn can subsist among . people nn-
less there is a sentiment Of unity IN the
support Of the administrative functions.
That this unity is, the sane as II was one
handrsd years ago or fifty years ago.
no one will pretend to, adnit; thai
we are less American than Va uers ~.
teen years age, or five years agN no ons
will pretend to deny. The causes thAk