Iditarod pioneer., 1916-04-15
AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP

The Atlantic Monthly calls attention to the Iact that the supreme court of Minnesota, late as l9O9 held man fit for citizenship who, though 40 years of age. did not know whether the President ot the United States was George Washington or Theodore Roosevelt, but thought that it was Washington; did not know where the capital of the state was located, but thought that it was Minneapolis or Duluth; did not know who was governor of Minnesota the state in which he had lived for twenty-four years, or where the laws of Minnesota were made or who made them, but guessed 1t was the governor dd not know what it means to take the oath of allegl- ance to this country did not know anything what ever about the constitution although he had heard of it; admitted that if he took the oath to support the constitution of the United States he would not know what it meant. The court with these facts in mind, considered that this was attached to the principles of the constitution of the United States.
 The above noted instance, while of course excep- tona is probably the result of the sentiment so gen. eral in the United States up to very recent period that the United States, as an asylum tor the weak, down-trodden and oppressed of the nations ot the old world should not place any restrictions on those desiring to participate in the blessings of free coun try. It was sentiment that could be highly com mended from phiIanthropic point of view, but its results were lamentable It was responsible for large class of citizens who, not understanding the principles and ideals of the American government, retained and still retain their loyalty to the land of their nativity--a loyalty which cannot be shaken even when the interests of the land of their adoption are at stake
 The present world war has brought home to the people of this country realization ot the dangers that such laxy Tn the conferrng of citizenship ndls criminatey entails When 1t IS remembered that even small percentage of ignorant voters, sup posedy expressing their views through the ballot box may have the result of changing nullfylng the policies and traditions of this government, 1t IS seen how serious Is the condition that confronts the nation The policies of this government dictated by public opinion. When 1t Is found that public opinion is opposed to the policies of the admnstra- tion one of two things happens Either the policies involved are abandoned or the people are dehed, with the result that at the next election there entire change of officials, in the event that they have been unable to impress their views on the people.
 There IS every indication that in the future the ac- qusition of citizenship will not be mere matter of form The government has provided strict rules for the examination of applicants, and if court off, cals do their duty new citizens in the future should be we'll informed as to what they are undertaking. It is not difficult to evolve a good American citizen where knowledge and understanding prevail It IS usually the ignorant and prejudiced who find it dfh cult to give their undivided loyalty to this land of equal opportunity and equal rights.
 case recently coming to our attention was that of man who, having made his declaration of inten- ton to become citizen, found that he not pre- pared to give his full allegiance to the United States in case he were granted citizenship. The ties of home and native land were too strong and he failed to perfect his citizenship. Such man, were he to become imbued with true Americanism. with love of liberty with the grand institutions which. in spite of deprecatory mouthings of unfrendly critics,