The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-29
BY wILLIAM 4. ELLrs.

The increasing interfow OF travel
ana immigration among the nations
mas broken down many insular preiu-
dices Whole races are coming 10 q
clearer understanding OF one another.
commercially and socially, each IL busy
in selecting and adapting the best Of
the others products. And on the
western continent the very peoples
themselves are niingling and merging.
30 that what ethnologists characterize
As a new racial type IL developing
Ignoring the line that divides Canada
from the States. they call this emerg-
ing Westerner, this child Of varid ances-
Try, the American" Blended in HIN,
are the best of the characteristics OF
tne older peoples. He has new traits
Tor the new times. The coming man L.
our homegrown cosmopolitan.
--
There is an unfortunate tendency TO
lump all immigration and to label II
undesirable. Some demagogues
speak as II the immigrants to these
shores We're an intruder. In sober
truth. this Is land Of immigrants.
They We're its founders and, in many
respects. they are still Its strength.
Tne persons who are wide-a wake to the
meaning of current events have not
tailed to observe the frequency with
which children Of newly-arrived aliens
iatent powers Of slumbering genera
lions spring into Hover in the favor
able American atmosphere. Foreign
born residents are forging to the front
In many lines Of activity. That Is well
80 long as they are thoroughly ma
tlonalized and Christinized, % that the
essential ideals OF this new land be pre-
served This work Of naturalization
and Characterization Is what we cali
home miSsiona
Every Immigrant is a possible nat
tonal asset.
The cardinal ideals Of the nation are
frequently more precious to the man
Just landed at Ellis Island than to the
man whose ancestors came over In
the Mayfiower.
This North American continent may
become. cor even now be. Gods labor
atory for the solution of some Of the
old problems Of all the nations.
There. are aspects of the new trend
In this Western world toward federat-
ed Christian activity which are as yet
unsuspected by most persons. The
recent convention of the Federation OF
Churches showed how strongly the
leaders OF Christian thought and work
of the religious side Of the immigrant
question. There was then manifest a
determination to sink all denomina-
tional differences In a united effort to
show the best side of the national life
to newcomers into our midst The
reception of immigrants. Abe cosmopo-
Titan city population. the foreign born
communities at industrial centers. and
the smaller colonies of aliens In rural
parts were all discussed as urgent op-
portunlties for the most brotheriy and
diligent Christian service, All I'M
known to himself. the stranger with
In the gates" is helping his hosts to a
realization Of their highest RESPONSE
bilitiaE.
somebody has made the point that
an easy. practical and immediate form
OF Christian and patriotic service to the
cosmopolitan population is to learn
how to say How do you dor in the
Language of the nearesr foreign set
Element
The progress Of immigration shows
certain broad developments. The ten
fency now Is toward an influx OF for
stgners who are least sympathetic with
bur historic national Standards. When