The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-05-10
HOW AND WHY.
A Minister Tells Why He Became a
Citizen of the u. S.

Rev. John Sinclair lectured on
GLOW l Became a Citizen at the
Presbyterian church last Sunday night.
A large crowd was present. A spe-
cial quartette consisting of Mesdames
Philbrick and Hunter and Mr.. Pea
body and Prof. Curtiss, of Owatonna,
furnished the music.
Mr.. Sinclair first stated when he
came to this country and what he had
done since. Since he had taken out
his. naturalization papers he had been
asked why he had not done so before,
His first reason was that he did not
expect to remain here when he first
came to America, and having since
changed his mind he had naturalized a
year sooner than he expected to. He
did not think that a man should be
pressed into the act-it should be vol
unfairly. II have never been asked
to naturalize," he said, "by a candi-
date for Office, but I have been asked
by their agents" The best time to
naturalize was when everything was
quiet, when one can think what he is
doing. Another reason for not nat
ura(izing before was that he wanted
to know something about the country,
it's climate. "There is no better eli
mate in the world" he said, ethan in
this State of Minnesota. 1t has cured
my throat disease. There's just lit
tie too much climate in winter, per-
haps, but it is made up in summer.
A man should also consider whether
he is going to like the people of the
country before he naturalizes." He
had never seen nicer people or been
shown greater kindness than by the
congregation Of the Presbyterian
church of Redwood Falls, as we'll as
those Of other congregations in this
city.
Politics was another reason for not
naturalizing earlier. If man does
not know the politics of this country
he is unable to vote intelligently. He
thought it all wrong that the ward
heelers of seaport towns should lay
around ports and gather in the new
arrival, naturalize and vote him. The
heller who does it wrongs himself, his
fellow-men and his country. Near
Marshall some time ago there we're a
dozen young foreigners. Two or three
candidates came down to where they
were and said, 1--WE are prepared to
furnish your naturalizations papers
free of charge if you vote for certain
men," and the young men bound
themselves to the party then and
there, before they even knew what the
party was. The man who doesn't
know the politics of the country
should not be naturalized.
Mr.. Sinclair had been asked how he
was going to vote, now that he had
taken out his naturalization papers.
II shall vote just as other citizens of
the United States do" vast reply,
"by ballot" He thought that no man
does his duty unless he becomes
citizen of the country in which he re-
sides, after he has looked about him,
and is satisfied. "This country" he
said, els the best under Gods sun.
AS good financially, although the fin
ances were low now, morally and Soc
tally, as any, particularly socially, and
in the want of conventionality."
The mode of making a living was
easier here. This could not be applied
during the last year, but the last year
was an extraordinary one which we
hope would not last long. He thought
that the time was coming when all
the broad farms in this country would
be divided up into 40 acres. plenty to
make good living upon, he thought.
Mr.. Sinclair closed his remarks by
saying that there was but one better
country than this the country beyond
where our Heavenly Father dwells.