Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-04-20
WILL HURT EVERYBODY
An Unfair Appeal to the Prejudice Of
Nationality from Whieh All
Would Suffer,

The following from Leslis's Weekly
Of February 18th. indicating = start.
ling drift in sentiment and disposition
in this country, should nave the sober
and thoughtful consideration Of every
American citizen:
The Packard Motor Car Company
has evolved a plan TO abolish the by
phen" from its plant. Promotion Will
b limited to ~native-born or natural
lied citizens Of the United States. m
while no discrimination is 10 De made
against foreign WOEAmen L now at
work, a purpose 10 acquire citizenship
will be a prerequisite TO employment.
This company, in other words, Will re-
Quire Of its employees loyalty to our
government and Jul flag, in addition
TO loyalty to the company itself, In an
open letter explaining the plan, II IL
pointed out how the war has revealed
4 great political weakness in this
country, since "our hypnenated cttl-
zens Of all na~tionalities are pulling
apart according TO the thoughts and
ambitions OF the lands that gave them
birth"
The Vim Motor Truck Company
Of Philadelphia has followed the
example OF the Packard Company
and Henry Disston & Co, and the John
B. Stetson Company have approved
the idea and are considering its applio-
ability to their own plants
Whatever may be said of the puI-
pose TO discriminate in e~mployments
in favor Of the ful! tledged American
citizen. whether native or foreign born,
as against the alien whose failure to
naturalize indicates his continued po-
litical allegiance TO his native land,
the statement from Leslie's should
open the eyes Of honest and thoughtful
Americans OF all and every former ma
tionality to the common danger OF
arousing, on any account, preiudices
based solely upon the fact Of nativity
and previous citizenship.
II il is proper for an American citi-
zen OF French birth to hate and oppose
and discriminate against an American
citizen OF German or Austrian birth in
business, in politics and in society, for
that reason. 1t Is also proper for an
American citizen Of German or Aus.
TRAN birth to hate and oppose and dis.
criminate against American citizens OF
French, British or Russian birth. In a
word, If the fact OF birth and former
citizenship, even when long foresworn
in favor Of American citizenship, IS
going to make us hate and oppose each
other, the rule will work both ways
and he who gives opposition on this &C.
count will have to expect it in return.
Both Sides Would Suffer.
Such a condition ct hatred and dis
elimination among good Americans,
who came here from other lands to
get away from ~unfavorable political,
financial, industrial and social condi-
lions and to embrace the larger and
better opportunities Of America, would
be no less than a national disaster and
Ia utterly unthinkable. Thoughtful
men shudder to consider where 1t
would lead, but certain it is that not
only one 6Iu6 Uul oolu riueS IL SuNh
an unnatural warfare would suffer.
Stirring Up Trouble.
In Missouri just now we have the
spectacle OF a man who was formerly
q member of the Republican National
Committee, twice chairman OF the Re
publican State Committee, and who
was favored by the party with the po'
sitions Of postmaster at st. Louis (for
four years. and s~ub-treasurer Of the
United States at st. Louis (for four
y~ears)-two Of the best paid federal
appointments in the Western states
flooding the state with letters over his
own signature. with the purpose to
arouse, within the party to which he Is
80 largely indebted. this sort OF war
fare Of opposition and hatred against
q man who has been an American citi
zen and a loyal Republican Of the high
est patriotism and Of the most earnest
activity In one county Of the state fol
over thirty years, during which nc
man can charge that he has ever been
guilty Of . single act Of Discrimination