The Irish standard., 1918-06-22
A TIMELY TASK
FOR CATHOLICS
Training of Foreign-born for Citizen
ship a Patriotic Duty and
Work of Charity.

The cry of the times is for the
Americanzation of immigrants The
desire that all those who have Jcome
into this country from beyond our
borders should, as soon as possible,
be enrolled in the lists of citizens is
wholesome one, although the en-
phasis laid upon the immediate Amer
icanization of foreigners at this time
is, in many cases, somewhat eXagger-
ated. The Christian Science Monitor,
G. 6. Gssue of May 1Sth), does not take
stock in this sort of eXaggeration, but
rather advises greater moderation in
these demands, and urges the argu-
ment that calmly and prudently con-
Quoted process of AmericaniZation will
produce better results than hasty ef-
forts in the enforcement of conform
ity to certain forms and formulate.
This organ quotes government officials
as declaring that undue haste would
prove injurious to the immigrant, and
ultimately would fail of obtaining
proper results. Such advice is proper,
for it requires more than hasty coer-
cion to make the immigrant thor
ough American, for the process re-
quires much cooperation on his part
and much preparation on the part of
those whose mission it is to lead him
into an understanding Of American
life and American institutions. It is
one thing to demand of the foreign
born that he become thorough Amer
ican citizen, and to shout from the
house-tops that we favor the rigid and
universal application of TIE process of
making citizens Of the permanent
guests whom we harbor within our
gates. 1t is quite another matter,
however, to engage, and induce others
to participate, in the labor Of love
which will help the immigrant to find
his bearings readily in the strange
surroundings in which he finds him
SELF,
Catholics above all should be inter-
ested in this social and charitable
work, not only because countless
Poles, Italians, Hungarians and South
Slavs, now residing in this country,
are their followers in the religious
sense, but also from pure patriotism
and charity. The immigrant needs
guidance in many things, and where
there is any need, charity, Catholic
social endeavor, must be eager to meet
the need. The laborer who has come
from foreign countries is sadly in need
of instruction in the English language.
Unless it is impaired to him in kind
and effective manner, he will not be
able to bargain properly for employ
ment. Exploitation is the common ex-
perience of those unfamiliar with the
country's language and conditions.
Many foreigner is not even able to
understand the warning signals Of dan
ger in hazardous occupations until
some one teaches them to him. Be-
sides, the talent Of many trained i'm
migrants is diverted into the channels
of unskilled labor-a mfanrtune which
could be avoided through proper care.
Men skilled in intensive agriculture
80 necessary at this time-are en-
ployed as laborers, at loss to them
selves and the country. Neglected and
dissatisfied, many of these men fall
an easy victim tn advocates Of rad.
icalism,who do teach them something
and who gain their goodwill by talk
ing to them in their own tongue.
Many other things can and should