Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-06-03
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
What 1t Means to Become An Aneri-
can Citizen.

Mr.. Editor: AS an alien citizen and
in view of the present state of the
European nations, 1 wish through
your paper to call the attention of
every other alien citizen, whatever be
the country of his birth and former
allegiance, to the solemn oath which
we take as we become Citizens of this
Republic. Let me quote from my own
paper in part these words: And the
said applicant, now here in this court,
declares on oath that he does abso-
lutely and entirely renounce and alb
Jure all allegiance and fidelity to ev-
cry foreign Irince, Potentate State
and Sovereignty whatever, and par
ticularly to the King of ---- and
he also declares on oath that he will
support the Constitution of the United
States Of America.
Is this only a scrap of paper" or
is 1t sacred VOW and solemn agree
ment with this country of our adop-
ton, whose benefits and privileges we
enjoy? To me, and it must be the
only right and true Interpretation of
it, it means Just what it says While
I love the land of my birth, where
friends and kindred still live, and
while I respect its government and
ruler, have by my own free will and
act, and by solemn oath and a sign
ed contract, forever severed myself from,
my Fatherland, as far as any alIegi-
ance to it is concerned I am no
longer a subject of that country. but
have become an American citizen, to
enjoy all its privileges, and to be
faithful to this land even as if it were
the land of my birth. My native land
may be in jeopardy. Enemies threat
en- it, or even invade it, and nv dear
father and mother be driven from their
home, but I have no right whatever
to leave this country, return and take
up arms against the enemies of my
native land, for l, have specially for
sworn all allegiance to that particu-
lar country, nor have I any right to
take partisan sides for that coun-
try in word or deed while I reside
here. And if this country becomes
engaged in warfare against my native
land, then my former ruler and coun-
trymen become my enemies, because
they are enemies of this country, and
If called to take up arms against the
enemies of this land, then I am TO
stand shoulder to shoulder with the
soldiers of this nation. and turn as an
enemy against the land of nv birth.
Am I right? 1t sounds hard, rigid,
and contrary to nature but duty is
OFTEN so and there can be no middle
ground. There is no other alternative.
we are either wholly Americans or
not Americans. Of our own free will
and desire came we hitler, and by
act of oath and contract have become
1nseparably one with every native
Dan6r
not empty phraseology, to be lightly
cast aside when irksome and I hold
that every one who violates the oath
therein subscribed to becomes a
traitor to their country. Many men in
the present crisis have gone across the
ocean IN order as they say, to "raIIv
to the colors Of their native land. and
on the.face of it, it sounds patriotic,
noble, but many of these men are
citizens, and have no right whatever
to do so. AS citizens, there are oT,Iv
the colors of the Stars and STRIPES to
rally under, in the present unsettled
state of affairs. The very country thew
have gone to help. may turn as the
enemy of this country, ard I can only
see in their act broken oath and
pledge. When 1 signed the document
that made me a citizen, 1 became an
American and am no longer a Ger
man, or Swede, of Englfshman. nor
any other, but every tie except birth
an American, and as an Alien Citizen.
call on all others who have taken
their oath Of allegiance, to be true
to that oath in every sense of its
wording and loyal to this country in
word and deed at whatever the cost.
ALLEN CITIZEN"
Norwich. Conn. June 1. 1915.