The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-10-31
Comparisons That Show How
Great the Tide Is.
VAST OPPORTUNITIES
New York City Alone Shelters 175,o00
Italians-Most of Them Prosper and
Send Money Home-Congresa and
the Cabinet Show the Chances
for All.

that of America. This country has
attracted more home hunters than
ever went anywhere since the world
began. All the other migrations OF
men are puny affairs in comparison
with the movement to the United
States; in fact, the grand totals OF
this unparalleled trek to the land of the
free and the home of the brave are
SO staggering that mere figures do
not convey their full significance TO
the mind. Let us make our SMILES
without the aid of figures.
There are more Jews in the State
of New York than were numbered
among the hosts who followed Moses
from Egypt to the Promised Land.
The manner in which the subjects OF
the Kaiser have hocked to Yankee.
land Is indicated by the fact that
there are nearly ZOO newspapers in
this country which are printed in the
German language. There are so many
French Canadians in Lowell. Mass.
taat they hold the balance OF power
n municipal elections of that busy
manufacturing center The Swedes
are so thick in the Northwest that
q Minneapolis newspaper recently
offered the Bible printed in Swedish
Is a subscription premium, and there
are so many Irishmen in New York
city that each year 10000 sons of
Erin march in the parade on st.
Pairick's day, says the New York
sun.
That the lure of America Is not a
myth is proved by the material condi-
tion of the 175,000 natives of Italy
who now make their home in New
York-a colony in single community
of the United States containing moro
Italians than there are in the cit
of Venice. These New York Italian
possess property worth $60000,0 900.
They have more than $15,O0O,0O0 in
the savings banks Of Manhattan.
They own 10000 stores, 1000 pieces of
real estate and they are increasing
their substance every day.
Italians send more money home
than any other class Of adopted Ameri-
cans. Last year they sent to their
families and friends in Italy and to
the Italian savings banks for deposit
over $13,000.000, which was an In
crease in one year of more than $4,.
100000. Even the Greeks, who are
few in number, sent home over 5000.
900 last year. AS the Christmas sea-
son approaches the volume of cheap
travel to Europe always increases
inquiry develops the fact that many
foreigners visit their old home at in
teryals. Whenever there Is strike
at the coal mines or at any of the
large works where foreigners are EN-.
ployed there is an immediate exodus
for Europe. Surely this Is q land
of plenty when 1t ewards the alien
laborer with living for himself. as
sistance for his absent loved ones and
holiday excursions across the Atlantic
The rapid assimilation of foreigners
TO our ideals is accomplished through
the medium of the little red school
house. In 1906 we gave free instruc-
ton In our public schools to as many
pupils as there are inhabitants in the
kingdom OF Spaip. that proud Spain
which once ruled the world. Free
education for nearly eighteen million
pupils, and the number increasing all
the while. with the extension Of the
laws compelling children to go TO
school whether they will or not
The political equality In America.
ap no lot
tends to draw men to our shores. In
many states immigrants are permit
ted to vote even before they are nat.
aralized, merely by declaring their in
tention to become citizens. This
great country of ours offers equal ad-
vantages to all. Senator Knute Mel
son OF Minnesota, one Of the most
highly respected members of the
Senate, was a poor boy In Norway.
Anton Michalek, Republican Repre-
sentative from Illinois, was born in
Bohemia. Richard Bartholdt a Re-
publican leader in the House, was an
immigrant from Germany. Bourke
reared in France.
Another feature of the attractive
ness Of America Is the absolute guar
antee of religious freedom, not only
to worship as one sees fit but to be
privileged to participate In public life
without discrimination on account of
creed Oscar Straus of President
Roosevelt's Cabinet is Jew, and so
Is Tsidor Rayner "a Senator from Mary
land. Charles J. Bonaparte of the
Cabinet is a Roman Catholic. The
President is member of the Dutch
Reformed Church, and so 1t goes.
Our Fourth of July orators do not
need to exaggerate when they boast
OF the greatness of America. 1t Is
the most favored child of nature. It's
free form of government has been the
greatest magnet that ever attracted
men, and although 1t Is yet in its IN
fancy, as the age of nations goes,
its lustrN far outshines the "glory