The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-10
IGNORANT FOREIGNERS. "
An Iiliterate's Son on the Litcracy Test
I'm the burnett Uill

TO ritE EDiToR OF THE SuS-Sir: His
tory does not record whether the Indians
referred &c Columbus and his fellow adj
vcnturers as ignorant foreigners" but
the chances are that they did. In any
event the phrase has been IN constant US.
ever since Doubtless the early English.
spanish, French and Dutch settlers called
each other ignorant foreigners" and IL
Is certain that the Irish and German inn
migrants were SO characterized when they
began TO arrive IN this country in large
numbers many years ago Later when
the Jews ana the Italians and the Poles
began their invasion they IN turn be-
came ignorant foreigner and "a menace
TO the nation"
This attitude OF Americans toward
those who want 20 become Americans has
found legislative expression In that sec
ton OF the Burnett immigration bin which
provides "A litcrary test This Is 20 he
come ian asylum for All nankind' who
can read and write, n land OF the free"
for those who have already enjoyed the
boon OF education. the greatest blessing In
the power Of a free government 10 hcstoW
The oppressed and the downtroduen. who
have as children been denied Al! eduCa-
tional advantages. are 20 be turned back.
Immigration restrictions are necessary.
but restrictions based on a literaCy ties.
are OF doubtful economic value. and do
violence 10 all those humanitarian and
benevolent Impulses which animated TIE
fathers Of this country. The imposition
OF such a test, and the turning away Of
people whose greatest desire. perhaps. ls
that their children may enjoy pr.vi!t
and opportunities denied 20 them, should
make the Statue of Liberty hang her
head in shame.
feel strongly on tins subject because
my father was one of those 'illitcrat,s"
whom 1t is now sought to bar out With
the aid of "A friendly officer hc effected
a midnight escape across the Russian Dor
der. aud fed from the tyranny OF a.,
Cars country to England. and tbcu.,
TO America. His lack of educational OPP
portunties in his native land did not pre-
vent him from winning business success
IA the land of his adoption. Duriue iU.
civil war period he wus one OF the larg,.'
clothing dealers m New York ,.tN. and.
although long since retired from business.
hr IS stiN living and has never crus.d .u
be u public spirited aud houorcd citizen
This Is by no means an exceptional case.
but one which has been OF common o.
Currenct. such men as nay father haV,
played an important role u the com
mercial. industrial, educational and arts
tie development OF the United states
They realize, as native bonn Americans
never can. the tremendous value OF the
public school system. Those who have
starved have the keencst Apr, citation OF
food.
When Jesse James was at the height Of
his career all the crimes committed IN a
wide stretch OF country were attributed To
him and his band. In New York many
people seek to attribute all crimes Ia the
ignorant Foreigners although the court
records do not bear out any such charges.
The ignorant foreigner oil to-day may
become the enlightened American OF to-
morrow; and If he fails. his children may
succeed. The public schools dud libraries
and art galleries tnd their most appr,-
ciative patrons IN ignorant Foreigners. 90
The heroes OF American history find their
most enthusiastic admirers in these sam"
maligned people. And II the Stars and
stripes ever needs defenders | venture to
assert that these same ignorant for
eigners' will ho found at the front.
BABYLoN February Q. Mac LEVY.