South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-29
AUGMENTATION of Radical
Groups by Language Route

m recent letter. Or. P. P. Clax-
ton. commissioner OF education,
says some spirited things on Ameri-
canism and racial groups. The com
missioner writes.
In speaking Of the work for the
education OF our foreign-horn popu-
lstion IN our language and Literature
and ideals and other things necessary
20 enable them TO live happily and
successfully among us. both for their
good and for ours. and 20 adjust
themselves 20 American conditions
the education which we call Amert-
canization-we frequently speak o.
racial groups.
TT saOuld, however. not be for
gotten that the government or the
United States and the spirit OF Amer
lean democracy know no groups.
They know only individuals
Peoples OF all races. and tongues.
and creeds. and occupations. and
economic conditions live In the
United States. Yet their population
does not consist Of groups OF Eng
lish. and Irish. and Welsh. and
Scotch. and German, and Swedish,
and Norwegian. and French. and
Spanish. and Portuguese. and Ital-
ians. and Poles. and Greeks, etc.
but or a hundred millions and more
individuals. some OF whom were for
merly Of one Of these races or ma
tionalities and some Of another.
TT does not consist OF English.
and German. and Italian. and Greek.
and Polish speaking groups. but or
hundred millions and more iudividu-
als. most or whom speak English.
the common and official language OF
the country. some German. some
italian, and some one or more OF a
hundred or more languages and
dialects.
1T does not consist OF groups OF
Christians and Jews and Mohamme-
ians. OF Catholics and Professionals
of Methodists and Baptists and Pres
1yterians and Christian Scientists
and MOrmons. but OF hundred mil
ions and more individuals some Of
hem members Of or affiliated with
one or another OF these and a hun
ired and more other religious bodies,
1r with none.
1T Is not made up Of farmers and
veavers and smiths and merchants,
1ut OF a hundred millions and more
Individuals engaged IN one or more
# these and many hundreds OF other
occupations. or IN none.
Neither Rich Nor Poor.
1T is not made up Of groups OF
-ich and poor, OF employers and en-
)lOyes. Of landowners and tenants. OF
JrOducers and consumers. of tribute
akers and tribute payers, but Of q
hundred millions and more Of indi-
.iduals OF all grades Of wealth from
he pauper to the multi-milliOnaire
and constantly passing up and down
I'M the scale; OF a hundred millions
and more Of individuals, some en-
oloyers and some employees, accord
ng TO choice and opportunity and
many both employers and employees
lt the same time. Of a hundred mil
ions and more of individuals. some
# whom own large landed estates.
come OF smaller holdings. and sOmo
f none. but all buying and selling
freely as they may choose and are
BILE OF a hundred millions and more
IF individuals, some producing more
han they consume and some con-
-uming more than they produce.
mostly tramps, idle and unproduct-
We. bat for all Of whom in the eyes
IL the American people work is
noble and all kinds OF useful labor
honorable and idleness only a
shame.
1T IS not made up OF groups OF
~ulers and subjects. but OF a hundred