The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-21

A Narrow-mindcd View.
The Rev. Dr.. ELMENDoRF Dutch Re-
formed clergyman o, this town, preached a
sermon last Sunday in which he described
this rcpubc as in very bad way. In
iluences are at work, lie said, that will lead
to its destruction if they are not checked.
Formerly, according to him, =" the supreme
plea OF every party for the sullraEes OF the
| people was tho superior devotion IL had
shown to the country's institutions and in
tercsts;" but now venality and wickedness
generally control politics.
| The cause Of this lamentable change
| the preacher found in tho " hordes OF I'M
| migrants" who have not tho slightest
| comprehension OF American institutions.
They have come hither in numbers so great
that they have obtained absolute control OF
| the municipal Government of this city, for
instance, and are having their will ut the e2-
pense OF what is right and proper and neces-
sary for the preservation Of our institutions.
So he thinks.
If that is so, the outlook Is very bad, for
tho number Of citizens Of foreign birth Is in
creasng steadily and rapidly. 1t is prob
able that the immigration during the next
one-half Of our white population is of foreign
birth or parentage. These foreigners also
are more prolific, on the average, than the
rest of the white population, and hence their
blood is bound to be in the veins OF the great
majority of American citizens, even If the
policy of excluding immigrants shall be
adopted in the future; and unless this
preacher talked to no purpose, that is what
he must be alter.
But has the republic declined in any re-
spect since this great foreign immigration
began? Is there any less patriotism and
is there any mora political impurity? DO
parties contend for votes on other pleas
than that they best subserve the interests OF
the country, thus changing their course as
compared with the days before the immi-
grafton began?
The period of activity in immigration
started in 1910. Since then has the Union
refrigerated morally and socially?
With the help of these foreigners slavery
has been abolished, our railway system has
been extended, until now it is the greatest
in the world and binds all parts of the Union
together the West and the Pacific coast
having been brought under cultivation. Be-
portance as compared with what we are now.
Without them, we should have been CEN
fury behind our present development.
Has the spirit of patriotism declined mean
while? We sec no evidences that such is
the case. True democratic sentiment has
rather increased. 1t was slow growth
hero at best. When the war Of the Revolu-
ton broke ont. the people were by no means
united in a desire for independence; and the
national spirit which has since grown up
was of tardy development Even the Dec
laration of Independence was only carried by
the persistency OF n minority Of the CONT
mental Congress. Loyalty to America, and
what we now know us Americanism, came
subsequently, and in their fulness did not
appear until within the period Of the pres
ont generation, so largely made up OF for
eigncrs who came hither during tho time.
1t was not until after the civil war that we
became united people, capable OF develop
ing such n spirit Of nationality. Previously
we were only struggling for its creation.
Therefore the national sentiment, the
patriotism of the republic, Is now far
greater force than ever before in our history.
As consequence there Is a higher level Of
the will of the people; for the larger the
political field the less chance there
Is for tho small games of politics
which distinguished the earlier DAYS. The
immigrants have taken our democratic pre-
tensions seriously and compelled us to live
up to them. They have really been the salt
which has savored and preserved our insti-
buttons, otherwise in danger from pessmists
like this preacher from Mugwumps, Anglo
manlncs, and all who would ape the ways Of
monarchy and distru5t the people.
This is n vastly better country because OF
the immigration OF the last half century.
It's institutions arc made more permanent.
Its national and patriotic sentiment is
stronger, and its civilization is higher. Tho
only enemies OF our progress are men like
Dr. EhNTENDORF, too narrow to understand
the meaning Of tho republic and to compre.
bend its destiny. But thcyare very few, not
enough for anybody to trouble himself about.