Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-19
I|RCE APPLICANTS
FOR CITIZENSHIP
TO Be PATRIOTIC



To-e held last evening at S O'Clock al .
.ha circui, court room Tor the benefit F.
ofthe % applicants Tor naturalization /
TIA procram was under the auspices F..
- Rock Island lodge No. $50. 3 =. O. .
Elks.
rr decorated with flags and hunting
ord pictures of President Wilson, /
Washington. Grant. Logan, Lincoln,
and other illustriOus Americans. Two
Il The flags were so placed that when
the electric fans were turned on they
we're unfurIed and waved gracefully
making an impressive scene.
Praises Constitution.
Judce r u Ramsay. Morrison, pre-
sided. and following prayer by Rev.
j. Rolf. the court took occasion to
make a brief address in which he de
rIared the constitution Of the United
states 10 be one of the greatest dOCu-
ments ever penued and urged that
those seeking 20 become citizens Of the
United States study it carefully, as it
contained a statement of all the es-
sertiaI features OF the plan Of govern
menf adopted by this nation. He eX-
nlsiued the chief difference between
the monarChies of the old world and
the democracy of this country, show
jnr that across the waters certain
families ruled through what they call
ed divine right. while this country
knows no king. but depends upon the
constitution for the proper admins
tration of its affairs,
Urges Study OF English.
A study Of the English language,
in order to early gain better under
standing Of this country and its insti-' l
q coll .avVf nd
dress bv F'loreut CalbreCht, editor Of
the Gazette van Moline. Mr.. Calbrecht
spoke in the Belgian language, which
was especially appropriate. since CON
siderabIy over half Of The class come
from that country The speaker kind
~ translated his remarks in English
for the readers of The Argus.
i consider it an honor to be iuvit-
cd 10 address YOU in your native
tongue" stated the Moline editor.
America expresses its respects TO the
Belgian candidates for citizenship
through me You arc paving an midi
rect compliment 10 America by seek
ing IA be adopted by this country. for
YOU come here of YOUR own free will.
Belgians have natural love for the
United states and lead all other ma
tionalities in the number seeking nat
uralization I'm the present class, for
out of = total Of % candidates. 40 are
from Belgium, while in Moline there
are ~ Belgian applicants These 81
candidates. with their women and chill
dren will mean At least 400 new Amer
lean citizens
1t is the duty of all Belgians to
take ont American citizenship papers,
for in so doing We in a measure give
10 this beloved country our gratitude
FIR 1rvr fGll in
We should be deyoutly thankful to
America for supporting the starved
people Of Belgium. During this world
war our native land has beer ruth
lessly trampled upon. Belgium did
not seek 10 take part in the conflict,
but the little nation was made a bat
tlefeld without its consent, and dur
ing these trying times the people Of
that unfortunate country are looking
to Uncle Sam TO help them.
Should Be Law-Abiding.
you should not become American
citizens from selfish standpoint. It
is not enough to gain citizenship for
your own welfare, or for what you can
get out of It, but we should be willing
10 aid and assist in the development
Of this country and be faithful to its
laws and Institutions. / would sug-
gest to you to learn the English Ian
guage as quickly as possible, as it is
essential to your advancement.
i know that in your own country /.
you were good citizens who stood for I.
the welfare for the little but brave .
Belgium, and I believe you will also
be good American citizens who Will I.
rush to the colors at the first sound .
Of the bugle 10 defend this country /
against any Of it's enemies"
What Citizenship Means.
states Attorney T. i. Thompson eX- !
planned in an address which was full .
Of patriotic fervOr, the duties Of Amer (
lcdnship, and impressed upon his au- /
qlence the obligations and response (
bilities, as well as the opportunities F.
and privileges which naturalization I
confers
The United states has no foreign !
Zoe 10 fear" said the states attorney. .
Il this country ever fails, IL will be (
cue 10 internal and not external /
enemies Therefore, IL is proper and /
Atting that every effort should be !
made 70 raise the moral tone OF the 4
nation and that those seeking to be (
admitted 10 citizenship should be /
gwen glimpse, at least. Of the cOun- /
rFs institutions and plan Of govern Z
ment ThicE is being followed here.
Are sou willing 10 give this coun- /
Try your undivided love- Are you /
ready 10 20 70 the battlefield 10 de- /
iend its honor II YOU are not, then /
you should not go further in your ef- !
!ofts 10 gain citizenship. This country .
GOES nor expect YOU 10 forget the old I
les Il is proper that You should /
aohor and respect the land from which /
you came II YOU did not. YOU would /
q 90 - "a