The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-30
AS AMERICANS AND NOT AS ITALIANS.

AS AMERICANS AND NOT AS ITALIANS
The policy of the United States from the be-
ginning of its history has been to receive to her
shores immigrants of all nationalities and all
conditions. TO speak OF the Statue of Liberty
in New York harbor as a torch Of hope held
out to the oppressed of all lands to point them
to the way to haven sometimes calls forth
the derision of the cynical and other thought
less ones, but there Is more than a measure Of
truth in 1t. 1t is not all pretty phraseology.
This policy has been frequently attacked in
past years but seldom with any great success
and never has a considerable body OF men ser
iously suggested that immigration be restricted
entirely. From time to time. however, has come
the demand that more restrictive laws be passed
assimilable are the chief This nation Is often
called the melting pot OF the world, but there
are some which cannot be welded
into American citizens and which should
not be. The broad policy of welcoming
all 'assimilable races. however. is still ad-
hered to, because these immigrants show a de-
sire as well as the ability to be assimilated
Once established In this country they become
American citizens. They are no longer English,
or Irish Scotch. italian, Greek or Syrian
they are Americans But for this attitude on
their part immigration would long since have
more greatly restricted and not only would
efforts have been made to exclude those of un-
desirable race, but also those who refused to
discard their former nationalities to become not
only loyal citizens OF the United States. but
Americans In spirit and hope and aim as we'll
as in technical nomenclature.
! These observations are called forth by Gus
tom among one element of former foreigners.
but present Americans, in Richmond--a custom
which The Viryintan believes should be abolish.
ed The italian citizens of Richmond heard
many kind things said of them at their club
meeting Wednesday night, and though these
things were said by candidates for Office thew
were not extravagant and to much OF 1t the
other citizens of Richmond will agree heartily.
These members of the Italian club of Richmond
met as citizens OF Richmond and Virginia, with
the ballot in their hands to hear what can.
didates for office in city and State had to saw.
ercising the prerogative of all citizens At the
close of the meeting. however. things took on a
different aspect second meeting was held
which was not a meeting of American citizens,
but OF Italians. 1t was meeting at which
Italians considered the exercise of their Rich
mond citizenship. not Americans, but as
Italians
The virofntdn believes this action, which is
a custom OF the italian club, was an unwise
one. 1t believes the custom should be relegated
to the limbo in which rests at peace the Italian
citizenship of the members Of the club. 1t be-
lieves that there is no more reason why Italians
as Italians should endorse a ticket or slate or
take any other political action than that Caro-
l.nians in Richmond should do the same. 1t
would be just proper for all Marylanders to
band themselves together into a club. act a
club of Marylanders in political matters, endorse
port II, as for the Italians Of Richmond to dc
go. 1t would be just proper for the Germans
or Irish or Swedes to take similar action.
| No one wishes the italian citizens of Rich.
mond to forget their nationality or to repu.
diate the country OF their birth. They could
not be true to their new love by proving false
to the old. 1t is best however, that in politics
they should act separately. as independent
American citizens rather than together as
Italians.
The Italian club Is desirable as a social Or
ganization or as political club. even, II the
members do not act In primaries and elections
and all things political as unit. but come to-
gether merely to hear and learn and then to
act their individual judgments dictate. II
is we'll for men OF the same race to gather
together at times, renew old associations and
do honor to their native land but having be
come citizens OF Virginia and Of Richmond they
should act upon all public questions. at least
az such citizeLe and not as Italians.
The people, of Richmond have the kindliest
feelings for the Italians. The recognize that
they are capable of making and are making
good citizens. This feeling The Vir0inian shares
and for that reason The Virginsan urges the
members of the Italian club to vote in the COM
ing primary as individual men. as Americans
and not as Italians.