The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-10-30
BY William Lustgarten
The WeiLknown New York Lawyer

WHf Is the ayDhenT
war there has been much discussion
regarding the divided loyalty OF a group OF
American citizens OF foreign birth or parentage.
The problem Of the hyphen has not been
focused by Americans OF unqualified loyalty.
tealty and patriotism. II has been forced upon
us by those who have obstreperuusly set them.
selves apart as citizens with a prior allegiance
to. and sympathy with. the land whence they
sprung.
The monstrous menace Of the hyphen has
been recognized. II presents a serious prob
lem. What the hyphen stands for Is OF ominous
Import OF fundamental danger to the peace and
well-being OF this country. OF so great menace
Is 1t that a number Of Americans have Joined
In movement to combat the idea Of dual citi.
zenship and TO erase the hyphen absolutely
and permanently from national life
what is the cause OF hyphenated American.
ism? Why is II bands of citizens set them
selves apart under the brand OF foreign nation.
alismI Why are there cliques of citizens who.
because of foreign birth or extraction, act en-
masse. not as Americans. and as American
voters, but as bands united in the mutually OF
possessing a foreign blood?
Why are there citizens OF German birth or
extraction who have failed to become 1O0-per-
cent Americans, retaining conscious allie
glance TO their Fatherland greater than that
to the country OF their adoption? Why have
they failed TO merge into our national life to
think and feel as citizens solely OF the United
why tnls unaSsimilability OF a
ucular portion which have pressed themselves
upon public notice OF late. attacking and an.
tagonizing the President In his policy OF neu-
trality. and violating the American ideal OF
liberty and democracy and the spirit of neu-
trality incumbent upon all who align them
selves under the Stars and Stripes7
There Is no question To the fact that a
portion OF citizens OF foreign birth or extrnc-
ton. especially those who cali themselves
German-Americans. have proved indgestible
as a mass In the great crucible OF American
life. II takes some big event. some crisis TO
bring the fostering sores OF society 10 a head.
The European war has brought the evil OF the
hyphen to a head. We must now deal with Il
as with any other social evil. and II must he
recognized as such. II was with this purpose
that In connection with other American citi-
zens of foreign birth and extraction In New
York. ! recently started a movement calling
upon American citizens OF foreign birth OF
parentage to repudiate the hyphen and all for
which II stands. TO Join in steps TO fight the
evil OF dual citizenship and 10 join In a move
ment TO promulgate the principles OF absolute.
sincere and undivided patriotism and fidelity
TO this great land. Our purpose Ia 10 found
an organization. TO be called the Loyal Legion
with branches in all the States This Legion
proposes 70 night the idea Of dual citizenship.
whether II be English-Americanism. French
Americanism, Italian-Americanism OF German
AmericAnism.
HOW THE HVPHEN CAME INTO BEING.
The hyphen Is OF American origin. OF Ameri
can manufacture Il was conceived and fns
tered In the United States Singular as Il
may seem. the hyphen Is not a product OF
Germanism, although element Of citizen %
German birth or parentage have conspicuously
adopted u. and TO degree marked by citizens
OF no other nationality In the United States
So far as citizens Of German origin In other
countries are concerned we do not hnd the
hyphen. Before the war German citizens OF
England did not call themselves German. Eng.
lish, OF Of France. 0erman-French. or OF Italy
GeNnanltalianS. The blame Tor the hyphen In
America must not be laid so much with the
Germans as with American professional poll
ticians.
The origin OF the hyphen dates back 10 the
time Of the Civil War when professional poll
ticians and political leaders endeavored to get
control OF the vote OF number Of people In
masses. They attempted 20 sway voters OF
German extraction IN a body. OF italians Irish
French and other elements likewise.
II was a feasible political expedient 10 band
men OF various national inheritances and to
appeal 20 societies, clubs and other organiza.
lions consisting OF members OF various racial
origins This practice developed so that 10.
day when a political party goes 10 maze up
It's ticket 70 selects candidates representing
these various elements so az 70 corral each
particular vote Candidates are thus too often
selected for office. not because of their ftnpss
for that office but because Of their popularity