The Dickinson press., 1908-05-30

fearless attacks upon evil-doers made
him enemies and brought him the per-
secution almost invariably mleted out
to reformers, and death, his life end
ing in seeming defeat. His was a
proud example of a good man battling
with infirmities and coming off con-
querer; and, through his words and
deeds, no less than through his new
philosophy, he still speaks to the
world and lives in the daily lives of
men.
A plea for "True Citizenship" was
made by Miss Merrill. One who swears
allegiance TO- a government is a citizen
but true citizenship depends upon his
truth and fidelity. Corrupt politics work
against good citizenship. The official
does not quite dare be true to his nobler
feelings because of the conditions of his
election; the legislator votes for a cor
poration's bill because of its gift to the
campaign fund which, perchance, elected
him. John E. Bigelow at ninety years of
age was said to possess the highest
American qualities of rectitude, dignity,
ability and public service. Governor
Folk believes liberty means law prop
erly enforced, and not the license to
break laws and he enforced the law in
St. Louis. Judge Lindsey established in
Denver a juvenile court to reform boys,
instead of Furnishing criminals later on.
Education tends to true citizenship and
the compulsory education and child labor
laws should be rigidly enforced. There
is a field for true citizenship at home in
attending to the government and beauty
of the city, and in always being out to vote
SO that important questions are decided
right. Surroundings have great effect
upon citizenship. Advancementdepends
upon the citizens themselves.
Japan" was the subject of a very
interesting essay by Miss Litch, who
| pictured the condition of the island
| empire at the close of the war with
Russia and her wonderful work since.
| Previously despised or regarded as a
joke, her relations with other coun-
tries became closer and more digni-
fed after the defeat of Russia, and
the "Child Nation" became respected.
She has since consoled and cared for
the families of her dead soldiers, re-
suscitated Korea, established factor
les, paid a large part of her war debt,
given time to the study of foreign
languages, notably English, encourag-
ed and wonderfully increased com.
merce, especially with the United
States. She has done all this and
done it we'll because of the industry
and integrity Of her people, always
courteous, clean and frugal, whose
sentiment of personal honor is far be.
yond what that of any other nation has
| reached. They are ever-ready to grasp
what is good in the educational or
| commercial systems of other coun-
tries, but loyalty itself to their own.
They are said to have absorbed civil
ization but conceal it under the flow.
| or and poetry of ancient Nippon. The
serenity of the Japanese during and
| after the war and their sudden transi.
| ton from a childlike, flowerIoving ma.
! tion of simple tastes to a military
| power, without losing their simple:
| ity, is we'll nigh marvellous. Japan
has caught the spirit of the west and
is herself the bearer of the message
of liberty to China and India.
Miss Nichols chose for her topic
"Our Opportunity" and discussed in
te%restingly the great question of for
eign immigration into the United
States. One million immigrants come
yearly, most of them illiterate ant
most of them clinging to their ole
habits and beliefs and totally ignor
ant of our customs and institutions
Residence and process Of law Otter
enable them to vote even before the!
can read and write, and such 1gnor
ance is the worst foe to a Democrat,
government. A serious phase of tn,
problem is the tendency to c%ongregat,
in cities where the slums shelte,
hundreds of thousands, often severa
families occupying a single room
knowing nothing better, desiring moth
ing better. This tends to lower th,
moral standards and is a menace t.
the government. They cannot be fore
ed to leave the city tenement districts
but their environment may be impro1
ed and Fairgrounds be provided 70
their children. Thus they can b
shown there is something better
Immigration, laws are very strict an,
must needs be so;v for, while we car
not exclude all foreigners, We mus
guard ourselves against criminals
paupers and those diseased. We &c
many undesirable citizens, It Is true