New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-06
THE CAHEysLEY MEMORIAL.
DANGERS FROM THE IMMIGRATION OF PEOPLE
WHO EXPECT TO REMAIN IGNORANT OF

AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.
TO the Editor Of The T ri b Il e
sir: However foreigner may feel IN regarN 70 the
Cahenslev memorial il is difficult for an American 10
read it with patience. The cool manner in which our
country is dlshed up for the whole world, the lgnor
ance displayed in regard to our institutions ana inc
false tone Of pretended philosophical mmanltarahiS
gives an air Of frank impudence TO this paper "hcl
is not refreshing The author bases his ideas upon the
suppoSition that America does not exist as distinct
NATIONALITY but is vast colonization, in which each
national element retains and should retain, It's own
language As a result of this retention, II must also
keep many Of its peculiar ideas. prejudces and inner
tied traits formed and developed under circumstances
which have no existence here. our Constitution IS
most respectfully named but is referred to as though
L were an Independent personality, when Woud coll
time TO exist without reference to the makeup Of TIE
Nation and would, in mysterious way continue
20 exert its benign influence. The author says OF
course the different natOnaties OF immigrants must,
may We be padoned the expression, Amencanze theil-
selves" Bat what is meant by AmercahInhSI heEr
Cahcnsey fancies that this consists in accepting INC
Constitution ct the United States" but at the same
time retaining the native languages, be they German
Polish Hungarian, spanish or italian, and maintaining
native pesthoods and schools permanent aud sep
ar,,te establishments. The author speaks with en-
thrsiasm Of instances where the immigrants IAN
uaces instead OF being lost in the second generation
havo already been firmly fixed and maintained.
Our idea of AUGMENTATION differs from this We
know that our Constitution is mere paper, except rs
If is fully understood and its articles followed by the
whole botv Of the people To accomplish this end
.hono ,r.t be q common national spirit, unhnmpered
~, interests imported from abroad. The people gov
orn and they cannot govern integently and Tor the
good Of every section, unless they are united a. OILY
the possession OF a common language can uihuc u'0ii'
To retain the presthoods, schools and language Oh eae
body Of immigrants is 70 establish permanent nun
cary. Poland Germany, Spain and Italy WitMh the
T-ri+od stotcs. il is not TO Amercanize. one great
reason why our various Protestant churches 10" IT.
ard the catholic Church of America WITH at least
SiondIv interest IS because during the years OF us
-u,,r+b that Church has become nauOnalZed' us
language Is English. its spirit is in accord
with orr institutions, ii has strven more
and moro 10 identify itself with the social con
ditions existing here. Cahensley CathoHcSh VIII
naturally revive among Pr0esant the old dread Of the
Romish Church; for it would attempt 10 dolnaOe tf1
lives of Us followers even in secular affairs WIN ue
control Of the immigrants old Government and the
influences Of the fatlerland removed 1t would cen
traIize his interests upon his Church. while II excludes
him. bv the retention of his language rom many
of the best influences Of his adopted country Az tue
same time IL expects that he should nave Ine 4I'''
chise and all the rights Of citizenship Inc movement
ITSELF suggests much for reflection 1t throws s'ro7
jdellgbt upon the possible existence OF struggle
for nouer within the Catholic hierarchy Of this country
u ,so nonifests one point Of view from which America
& regarded and which represents this country not a.
Nation Int As an advantageous place for settlement
7, i time that foreigners understood why the English
language IS spoken here. 1t is because Enehshmeh
etad this country founded its institutions, ana nave
dominated IFS life 50 successfully that it Is now looked
rnon as the best place in the world 10 live H. inc
ENGLISH idea of free government independence OF inc
individual under laws which work for the good OF all
has been readily accepted by the northern peoples VINO
first came As immigrants to this land Ihey cheer
fnIlv identified themselves with It's institutions. bu1
the mixed hories which threaten Us from all siaes
coming from many lands, retaining their lanSag s.
sattIinp together In Isolated colonies, cannot be 50
easily Americanfzed For, to be Americanzcd means
NOR than taking an cath of featy % our written Con
,itrtion II means a new Ife rcSeneratlon growth
- UeU- idea into the immigrants life, by when ne
can reaIIzo the great National lie OF WmcH
NJ should become part. BY these lusFts ne y W
Ioee his old sense of the government az usuhCt loH
himself and know that he, a. one Of me people. Is
uarf II that government How can Jhls CROWN ye
arcomplshed amid such Babel ~ tongues a, ne
CabeSley idea would favor The scheme Is ridiculous,
and will OF course fail but the fact OF IT. appearing
al All T., a warning that should not pa. nhh'uc.i-
Much has happened within the year that calls orr
attention 10 the almost unrestricted Immigration ana
tD the undesirable elias Of our nVad p u congress
cannot stor this inundatiOn, should M least insist
.ia uob1 he allowed Ia take rot lu THIS land That
c.,n an any WY work against the many cH"j> hlfciN
being made BIZ churches and secular ORGANIZATIONS 70
educate and AmeTicanze the newcomers ana every
trp American should 10 II that he chooses Tor MS
notcI marty that which seems least 10 favor ana 10
attract 70 Itself the lowest and most ignorant Of these
aliens A. A. Il.
T,1,-Q