The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06

Indignant Protcs, by an Italian Against
ipyu lice 10 Ris seuntrymrn Here.

To TpE FDrroR or Tue SrN-Su; With
much reluctance am convinced that large
part Of the American prc,S deserves rcproof
for its inaltreRtment of Italians In this coun-
Try. ! say a large part, not all Happily.
there are newspapers both lust and liberal
A close observer Of American affairs during
the past twenty years. believe am abun-
dainty fortified with good reasons for this
which | make in behalf Of my fell
low countrymen and in Justice TO the ancient
glory Of my native land and its present status
among European nations. An American
citizen myself. solici'ous for the welfare Of
the country. no man will uscribe to me mo-
tives inimical TO that welfare,
With no intention to exaggerate, ! cnafss
the newspapers IN question with discriminate
ing against Italians, melting the popular
mind against them. traducing their charac-
ter BY inputinx 20 them crimes and offences
IA fabulous us the unicorn. bringing them
into contempt and exciting prejudice, UNI
meritPd and malicious. against "A docile and
la w-lbding part Of the community. Adj
wanting. IL taken of the defen celess position
OF my countrymen. who. If more familiar with
the language. laws and customs Of the people.
would be able 10 defend themselves properly
Whenever n crime Is committed 1t u pro-
claimed the work of an Italian. A mutlated
murderer must have been one OF those BAN
dts who glory in blood. have a genius for
counterfeiting. make life study not Of the
Bible, but of the Penal Code. When. again.
an Internal machine was discovered on the
Umbria, Il was said to have been OF Italian
origin. and a tissue Of alleged facts was woven,
In which were included names neither italian
nor Of any other nationality. My country
men, besides being expert in using the stiletto.
are said TO be as astute as the fox. as fierce
and merciess AZ the tiger and'as elusive az
the rapacious animals that burrow into the
ground 10 escape pursuit. Crimes perpe-
trsted by men Of other races are only glanced
ut and quickly forgotten. The actual burg
laries, poisonings, infantictdes, arsons and
lynchings. so frequent in certain sections.
are In a measure overlooked II done by
others. The fictitious offences Of Italians are
magnihed in lurid colors. In the midst
Of 40 much accusation. strange TO say. We
seldom hear of an Italian being convicted
In court OF law. II conviction does
take place, II Ia not oftener than with men Of
other nati0nalites. As rule the Italian u
honorably discharged. and the very papers
that rang his death knell in advance are
forced to admit the falseness Of their accu-
sations by publishing his acauittaL
Ifyou would know the awful consequences
that follow these calumnies, call to mind the
infamous lynching in New Orleans q few yeare
ago. An American was killed. Suspicion fell
upon tho unfortunate Italian residents. Eleven
Of them were dragged from the Jail and killed
a. hogs are butchered. Yet no crime had
been proved against any one OF those vretched
victims The fame OF great State was sui
lied. star In the national dag was disgraced
before the civilized world: and the Consttu-
en- mi
soil equal liberty and protection to life and
property. was belied.
ifis Common practice to abuse the Italians
for working at low wages. thereby unoeryalu-
Chinese ' and the coolies Of India. With slaves
and drudges yet no sooner do they rise to
demand . parity Of wages. than they are de-
CRIED as gTssplns ana sd ss a;.tngbeIs Of
the peace. Then follows general howl that
Italian immigration must 30 stopped. ls
this fair to the Italians. Who have op .aled
mani, Of your. colossal structures With their
muscle. eometimes cemented them WIN tneir
blood? Your mines entomb thousands OF my
po1s bs s.n ses
'R ~ and founding :s
e the bs and
rdiouled. The spectators are envenomed
ssans. him H. TIE butt Of Eysn ~
: JSdss Soea
an Italian appears before hin. In political
life he is q cipher. Though hi: numerical
= III. city no
ubiquitous missionary. good though hh IN
may be- t5ef TO roS sotse.
futile 10 such missionary work! AS reHElo N
could be bought or exchanged for bushel OF
coal or a new hatl Easier would It be to tame
an %n ,9a lion than to change the 'a''h o.
School children Of italian psrentags do not
escape the common abuse. Their nauonanty
books Before me. at this moment, Is vol
ume used In our public schools: II preeends
TO describe italian habits and life. From 1t
make brief quotation:
family Of dozen xi occupy room Of med e
boarders. AZ their single room . filled With beds.
cooking stoxe Nth y; p0n ana pens sna a any
and Ca card playing ali take place In the street.
deny the truth s 2, this in d syy s5.ve Rst
ton benefit those whom the concocter Of this
classical nonsense processes to bring up with
liberal ideas and generous sentiments! would
known the grand history Of the people thus
mali ned? Would it not be better 70 tell the
young that Italy flashed the torch o. learning
and rescued Europe from the thra!doI OF
Ignorance, that her schools and universities
gave birth to art. science and philosophy and
civilization which it enjoys to-day?
The condition OF my .countrymen. bad
enough at the best, 10 rendered more painful
| and critical by the cruel and vindictive as
| pensions emanating from unprincipled news
| papers. Honesty, patience, sobriety. oeler-
ence and other virtues, which abound IN them.
| bring no reward The very qualities that WIN
esteem for others bring them vnincation and
| contempt.
Now, ask. is It possible that no champion
| can be found to come to the rescue OF itaishA
| against their enemy? Are they still 10 Pr
downtrodden by those whose highest QUAIL
| ties are inferior to their lowest? Such, a
F., champion could do philanthrop'cc work WORTHY
OF the country that proclains liberty ~ ns
! foundation. equality az It's policy ana Iustios
as Ito guide.
| at home and TO every traveller abroad, 10
say II he ever discovered any evil IN the ltal-
ian character to Justify this sort OF Journals
| tic assault Does not this country owe " tf
! Italy and to humanity to. put an emo 70 tht
! InslifYerabe wrong? In the name OF honor-
! able journalism, I condemn such offences
! in the name Of the Constitution demand
| redTess in the name OF humanity appeal 10
| the spirit OF Justice that abides IN the Ameri-
| can COINCIDENCE. o. hiAhohlsAo'
BROOKLYN. Sept. 1.
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Tale Of Connecting Link.
From ne Amrla BGzar Pdtrko.