The Irish standard., 1909-11-13
A VICTORY FOR sYRiANs.

A VICTORY FOR sYRIANs.
Richard X. Campbell, chief of the
bureau of naturalization at Washing
ton, should study ethnology, or the
science which treats of the division
of mankind into races, in order that
he may discharge his duties in accord
ance with the laws for the naturaliza-
ton of foreigners as American citi-
zens. Mankind is divided into five
races, according to Blumenbach, viz:
the Caucasian, or white race, to which
belong the greater part of the Euro
pean nations and those of Western
Asia; the Monaghan, OF yellow race,
occupying China, Japan, etc.; the
Ethiopian, or negro race; the Amerl-
can, or red race, and the Malayan. or
brown race. The only race excluded
from American citizenship is the Mon
golian, and Mr. Campbell thinks that
the Syrians of Western Asia belong
to that race and are consequently in
eligible to citizenship.
He is laboring under a delusion. The
Syrians are white men, though of
dusky complexion, and have nothing
yellow about them. Their country Is
situated in Western Asia and is part
Of Asiatic Turkey, bounded on the
north by portions of Asia Minor, on
the west by the Levant, on the south
by Arabia, and on the east by the
sands of the desert. The population Ia
nearly 100000, and the inhabitants
are a progressive, energetic people for
Orientals. The fact that they desire
the rights of American citizenship and
are ready to swear allegiance to the
Stars and Stripes is an indication OF
their intelligence. Many of them have
already been admitted under the nat
uralization laws and make excellent
citizens. Chief Clerk Campbell, how
ever. thinks they are Mongolians and
has issued instructions to deprive those
already naturalized of the rights of
citizenship and to refuse papers to
Syrians who apply for them in future.
A judge in California recently admit
ted Syrian to citizenship despite the
ruling OF Mr.. Campbell and here in
Minneapolis the clerk of the district
court has issued naturalization papers
to all Syrians who have applied for
them in accordance with the laws.
None have been turned away.
A prominent Syrian Of New York,
who is a native of Palestine, filed
charges against Campbell and asked
for his removal, and the department,
of justice has recently notified its
agents in various parts Of the coun-
try to issue naturalization papers to
Syrian applicants. Nikolas Kali, OF
this city, who Is in the employ Of the
Rapid Transit company, was about
making his case test Of the ruling
of Mr.. Campbell, but tho notification
referred to has caused him to halt in
the proceeding. The young man hal
the support of the Syrians of Minne-
apolis, led by Rev. Benedict Bellama
pastor of st. Marion Catholic Churcn
who has been naturalized and is a
member Of the Knights of Columbus
1t is needless to say that the Syrians
under the spiritual guidance of Faith
err Bellama. will mako good, law -abid
ing citizens and that they will prove
themselves worthy of the blessings OF
American liberty by being loyal and
true to the institutions of the greatest
country on earth.
The yellow and the brown races ara
| excluded from American citizenship
but the Filipinos, whose country now
! is governed by the United States, may
| hereafter become citizens instead OF
subjects, after going through prepare
tory training and proving themselves
worthy Of the great dignity to be COLI
! ferred on them. To be an American
citizen is a grand privilege, and none
but Caucasians are yet entitled to be.
come the political equals of the Ame:-
| lean people before the law. The Syr-
| ians are Caucasians and hence th.v
are eligible to citizenship. The Chi