The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-08-09
AMERICAN CITIZENRY.


Native citizens are those born
within the jurisdiction of the United
States or born of American parents
temporarily residing abroad.
Naturalized citizens are those who
were born under foreign Jurisdictions
who emigrated here, and who have
Voluntarily foresworn all allegiance
to the land of their nativity and made
free-will acceptance of and allegiance
to the government of the United
States.
Involuntary citizens are those who
have come under the jurisdiction OF
the United States without their con-
sent, such as those that resided in the
territory acquired from Mexico at the
time of it's acquisition, residents OF
Alaska at the time of its purchase,
ana Une former Spanish subjects OF
the Philippines and Porto Rico.
There is also an alien population
who live in this country, larger per-
cenUage OF them for many years, but
who have never renowned allegiance
to their former governments.
Roughly estimated the population Of
the United States and it's dependen-
cies at the present time is placed at
l15,OOO,OOO, experts figure that 70,
100000 of these are native born,
many of the native born having for
eign born parents, 100000, are Of
foreign birth, 100000 are aliens and
100000, that have come under the
jurisdiction of the United States by
territorial acquisition.
That our native population, as a
rule, are satisfied with this country is
exemplified by the fact that emigra-
ton out of the United States is less
than that of any other country in
the world, and most of the emigration
that does take place is to Canada
where conditions are much the same
as they are here.
That our naturalized citizens are
satisfied is demonstrated by the fact
that less than one-half of one pei
cent ever return to their native land
to reside.
1t is doubtful that if one person in
a hundred in the Philippines or Porto
Rico, if given a chance, would vote
to restore Spanish rule.
We have citizens from every coun-
try in christendom and while many
come, few ever return, furnishes an
un-answerable argument that this is
the best all-round country in the world
in which to reside.
America owes much to her adopted
citizens but the debt owed them is
a mere bag a telle compared to the
debt they owe America.
No nation in all the world has been
as liberal to its adopted citizens as the
United States. No citizen distinction
is made between native and foreign
barn. Naturalized citizens can hold
any public office under the govern
ment except President and Vice Presi-
dent. There are no religious dis
abilities. They are allowed equal priv
ileges in taking up public lands and
more than two million foreign born
acquired free homes under the home
stead laws. Those coming from
foreign lands became citizens, free
holders and office holders on much
more favorable terms than they could
have possibly done in their native
land. They were not required to give
up any of their customs, their lang
uage OF their religion. They were
not forced to support state church
whose doctrines they did not adhere
to and in no case have they been
treated as aliens, but as brothers in
great national family.
Most of these adopted citizens are
true and loyal to the country of their
adoption, but blind indeed, must be
the man who does not realize that a
very large proportion of our inter-
nal disorders, labor troubles and es-
pecially opposition to war measures
have their origination in the ranks of
our foreign born citizens.
Less than two per cent of our for
eign born citizens are subject to
military duty under the preferential
selection act, yet practically all the
opposition to that measure comes
from them.
Glance ut the names of the leaders
of that famous, or rather infamous,
New Ulm meeting. "F'ritschie," "Pfa-
.ender," "Steinhauser," and no further
reason need be given why the meet
ing was held. They did not meet as
American citizens, the country that
has given them eevrything in life
worth having, but as sympathizers of
Americas armed foes. The speeches,
some of them, were made in the
Language of American, but the crowd
conversation was in a foreign tongue.
! Too much freedom breeds contempt
and in some cases the wide liberty
granted our naturalized citizens has
bred a. contempt for the country that
has granted them .his liberty
Similar meetings have been planned
in different parts of the state, one
at least in Stearns county.
The Safety Commission should