New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-01
"AMERICANIzINGn NEWCOMERS.
Memorial Day Exercises for Small Strangers
on These Shores

We welcome You to-day. A few months ago
you did the same for US. and return the
pliment We want to be good Americans We
haven't known freedom long. We hound to
make blunders and ask your help TO do what
is right"
This was the address of welcome yesterday morn
Ing to the visitors 1T the Memorial Day commem-
grafton exercises OF the Baron de Hrsch English
classes for immigrant children, held the Edu
cational Alliance. in East Broadway. The welcom-
ing speech was given by Abraham Ptsnitz, who
little more than three months ago was living in
Russia, with knowledge OF the English Ian
guage As his family got settled here he
was enrolled in one OF the classes for Immigrant
children. and now, with four hundred other boys
auI girls Russians. Rumanans and Galicians-he
Is ready to enter the public schools of New-Ycrk
CT. with knowledge of English. and with the
impulse for making good American citizen i'm
planted in his heart.
The Memorial! Day exercises were scheduled 10
be held last Friday. but postponed on account
Of the death of Judge Myer s Isaacs. who
president of the Baron dc IIrSch Fund Yesterdays
gathering was presided over by \. s Solomons of
Washington. honorary agent of the Baron de
Hirsch Fund
These children elated beyond measure at
the flag" said Mr.. Solomons in a few remarks to
the visitors The point endeavor to reach IS to
make good American citizens Of them. and I hope
that when they needed they will be at the ser
/ vice OF their country
The children sang half dozen songs, ranging
3
| lullaby Sweet and Low" All the words could be
easily understood. although they were accompanied
! by a kissing sound the boys and girls twisted
! their tongues 10 this strange language.
David BIauFtein. superintendent of the Educa-
tionaI Alliance said that in their native country
! these children had music, and 80 per cent Of
/ them had never heard GUscal instrument be
! fore they came to America, Yet they sang with a
! fine sense Of time and tune
| Neither did they know anything OF physical cult
I I'M homes through
with n long set of calisthenics. and stage Of
! two tiny American flags. which they waved with
enthusiasm.
! Charles Brown who had SUCH an unpronounceable
namc that it had TO be changed upon his arrival
IN this country. gave lengthy patriotic recitation
/ with little haste and much infection. Charles Is
only. twelve yea old he is said 10 have studied
the original Of the Jewish Bible and COM
/ meataries in Hebrew, and 10 have also been 4
student OF the Talnud when in his home at
/ Mnsl Russia Superintendent Blaustein remarked
that the latter amounted to about the same as a
/ law
4 little girl read poem In memory Of Judge
Isaacs written by Of the teachers at the Ali
/ ance.
y Taylor Phillips spoke briefly the value OF
education. and Adolph Lewiston said word OF
greeting.
So far all the exercises had been in English, but
! Mr.. Blaustein brought light and interest into the
! faces Of the children by a talk in Yiddsh-an ex-
PLANTATION OF the meaning of Memorial Day
| America" sung. and the exercises closed
with oath OF allegiance 10 tho hag. written espe-
cally for the class for immigrant children:
] Flag Of our great Republic. inspirer In battle.
. guardian OF our homes. whose stars and stripes
! stands for bravery. purity. truth and union. We
nd Tst Under iy fods do pledge our hearts our
lives and sacred honor TO love and protect thee
pie forever