The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-01
New York Hears
of Alabama s Work
for Better Speech

That Alabamas efforts for promoting
the better speech movement are attract
ing attention outside the state is indi-
Gated by the following letter which ap-
peared on the editorial page of the New
York Times on Tuesday under the title
THE Language and The Flag
To the Editor of the New York Times:
Thoughtful Americans throughout the
country are addressing themselves to the
duty of Americanizing our foreigners,
explaining to them our national ideals
and institutions, and, above all, teaching
them our national language, so that these
new members of our Hundred Million
Club may understand the thoughts and
sentiments of their fellow citizens
In teaching the foreigners the rudi-
ments of English will avail little If the
Americans among whom he lives are
themselves careless and irresponsible in
the use of their mother tongue. Every
American should support actively the
splendid work of the National Security
league, of the night schools, of the may
ors committee here in New York, and
of the Amcricanization committees else
where. But he should not stop there.
He should realize his personal RESPONSE
bility for the use of the nations Ian
guage, as toward the nations flag, it's
uniform, it's laws, and should do his
part toward making such a realization
general.
If we Americans had had such a feel
ing for our own language-the noblest
and most beautiful in the world-as the
FIenchman has for French, the prob
lens of our national life today would be
easier of solution.
1t is good to know that the schools,
under the leadership of the teachers of
English, are bringing this matter of the
| close relation of the nations language
to the nations life to the attention of
| their communities. In Alabama the bet
| ter speech campaign is especially ac-
/ luton, drafted by DR.. ]. III. Phillips, SUI
perintendent of schools in Birmingham,
| has proved very useful:
| Whereas. The English language is our
| common heritage, our medium OF commu-
nication, and the vehicle of expression for
all our thoughts and aspirations; and
| Whereas, English. as the language OF
our country, symbolized by our country $
/ flag, must be the medium through which
our American ideals of honor, liberty,
! and truth shall be expressed to all the
peoples of the earth;
| "Be it Resolved, That it is our patriotic
| duty to respect our country's language as
We honor our country's flag; to keep II
| pure by distinct enuncation and correct
articulation; to encourage the improve,
| ment of English speech, both in CONVEX
sation and in writing; to provide correct
models of English speech for the imi-
tation of citizens of foreign birth, and
| to transmit to those that shall come
after us a language pure, beautiful, and
1 unsullied the flag of our country.
1 This resolution is being presented tc
! schools, churches, clubs, organizations Of
| business men, farmers, etc, throughout
| the state, and has been widely reprinted
/ in the country papers. In the north
| where the problem of Americanization IL
4 so much more serious, such a resolution
| might be of still creator usefulness
i JOHN M. CLAPP.
/ New York, March %. 1918.