Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-06-13
A REAL AMERICAN

mo, if + ever take up arms again,
II will be at the call Of the United
States of America, and not at the call
Of Italy" '.
That is what Mr.. Joseph @. Sassi,
the proprietor Of the Palmetto Monu-
ment works of Yorkville, said in The
Enquirer office yesterday. in discuss
ing letter he had just received from
his father advising him that accord
ing to orders Just issued by the italian
war department he had been named a
captain Of reserves.
Scenting a story that promised to
be of more or less interest to York
county readers, the reporter began
questioning Mr.. Sassi about his past
experiences, and was not at all disap-
pointed in the result.
II cannot tell you exactly why am
a stone cutter further than to say that
Is what always wanted to be-" said
Mr.. Sassi. my father was soldier
under Garabaldi, and always wanted
me to be a soldier. My mother, bless
her, who has passed away, was de-
vout Roman Catholic, and wanted me
to become a priest. Both father and
mother were willing to do for me any
and everything in their power to the
extent of spending their last cent on my
education; but somehow, after got
oh, 20 tnlr 10
had any other desire than to be a
stone cutter.
after had gone through the ele-
mentary schools at home-they have
compulsory. education over there, and
the elementary school Is about the
same as the public school here In
Yorkville-mother sent me to the
Archbishop college at Coma. Father
did not like 1t, as he was believer in
United Italy; but he did not make any
serious objection. After two years in
the seminary, I ran away. Father was
pleased with that, and sent me to the
college at Milan. remained there two
years, and then ran away to cut stone,
serving at the trade four years. Then
I went into the army, partly because
I had to and partly because my father
wanted me to. The enlistment re-
quirement was three years; but re-
mained four years, spending a part OF
the time in the military, school and
reaching the grade of lieutenant. But
still / did not want to be soldier, so
came to America. This was in 1899.
I came over here because understood
that this Is country Of real liberty,
and I have found that / was not mis-
taken. won't try to explain further
than to say that 7 look at Italy in the
light of being step-mother, and
America as being a natural mother.
After five years In Vermont took out
my naturalization papers In Montpe-
lier, and I have been voting for men
and things I thought best ever since.
"Of course know my dear old faith
er will not like to read what I have
written; but then he does not know
how 1t Is. He does not understand
how in America a man counts for
what he Is, while In Italy he don't.
I've got no quarrel against Italy, OF
course not; but conditions over there
do not suit me. like 1t where one
cording to character and intelligence,
where people may embrace whatever
religious views they care to entertain
without having to fight or be fought
by other people. I like America be-
cause 1t is free, and although I would
much rather cut stone than to fight,
whenever the United States leeds my
services in war or elsewhere 1t can
get them"