The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-08
LuDGE PRYOR on CITIZENsHIP.

Judge Roger A. Pryor, of New York
city, has for some time been attracting
good deal of attention 10 himself by the
viror with which he administers the law
governing the naturalization of foreigners.
A citizen of New York having requested
him 10 state the principles that govern
him in this procedure, he replied with a
letter. which has been published. and. We
are frank 10 say, that II is a model i'm its
way. lie says that in the FIRST place he
requires of the applicant FOR citizenship
a knowledge OF the principles Of IN, Con-
stitution of the United States. The Law
requires that for an alien to 1e admitted
TO the privilege Of ciu' snship Of the
United States he must give satisfactory
proof of his ATTACHMENT TO the principles
Of our Constitution, and Judge Pryor per-
tinently asks how any ono can give such
proof If Ne IS ignorant Of what the Con-
stitbtion is?
The law also requires that the alien
shall be well disposed towards the good
order and happiness of the United States.
But how. asks Judge Pryor. can he have
such disposition II he knew nothing of
the foundations upon which that order
and happiness rest?
The Judge says that in the next place
he requires the applicant TO be able TO
speak and write the English language.
The law Of New York requires that to
serve as juror in the city OF New No,s
a person shall be liable to read and write
the English language understandingly.
II the alien Upon naturalization acquires
all the fights Of citizenship he should
certainly be competent 10 perform all its
duties. But how can he perform the du-
ties of juror if ne cannot read or write
the English language? We are compelled
to tolerate this inability in d native but
are we to confer citizenship upon one
who shows as at The start that he is in
capable of performing some of its most
important duties?
We quote the remainder Of Judge Pry-
or's letter because it Is instinct with such
an elevated conception ofAmerican citizen
ship that il should be conned and studied
by all men DESTROYS Of understanding and
approaching the real breadth and
strength Of an ideal democracy. lie says:
Five years previous residence in the
United State Is requisite 10 naturalIZa-
ton: and Ii curing that period the alien
does not become cOuNersant in the Ian
guage Of the country. the fact argues an
indifference or reDugnance to that thor
Ough Incorporation with the community
which ! regard as essential 10 citizenship.
Moreover, a knowledge Of the language
OF the country is important, II not indis-
pensable, 10 an intimate acquaintance
with the multiform interests OF the cOun-
try On the other hand seQuestered
society. speaking only the language Of a
foreign land is incompatible with the
identity and oneness Of community with
out which true national unity cannot
subsist
In view of the immense Immigration 20
cur shores from all lands and by all
peoples peoples mainly without moral or
intellectual enlightenment totally isno-
rant Of our institutions and unfamiliar
with the ideas and habits OF free men
! deem 1t of the utmost moment 10 the
welfare of the country that extraordinary
effort be made TO nourish and diffuse the
American spirit. To that end surely
knowledge and use Of the American Ian
suago Is an efficient nstrummtaliLy'
These arc noble and patriotic sentiments.
The American citizen should understand
that he is an integral part Of "A greaA .e-
public. in which one man is in all respects
the equal before tho law OF any other
man. and i'm which al have their rights
regulated by law. Citizenship in such a
democracy is the most valuable right a
man can have on this earth and all
should be educated up 20 a perfect under
standing of that fact and none should be
admitted TO the blessing OF such a cti
zenshiD who are ignorant of or Indifferent
10 what IL means