Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-10-07
FOR HOME AND COUNTRY

Uncle Sam welcomed into his family another group of
citizens last night when a class of thirty-four was graduated
with appropriate exercises held in the auditorium of the public
library.
These men become American citizens in every sense of
the word. They represent more than the mere fact of having
lived in this country five years. They can do more than humble
a few words of English and repeat. parrot-ike, a few sentences
from the Constitution of the United States or answer some
stereotyped questions that have been carefully rehearsed prior
10 the examination in order that they might "get by
These men who received their diplomas last night have
BctualIy been in training all summer. They have been attend
Ing a school in citizenship taught by self-sacrifcing, patriotic
men who have had no interest to serve other than that of the
men themselves and the welfare of the country.
Not only do the graduates of this school learn what real
citizenship means and receive a training in American history,
form of government, customs and ideals, but they are under
no obligation to any party or faction for their instruction.
They are free to choose their own party and vote as they
please; furthermore, they are in a position to vote intelligently
One of the most significant features in connection with
the class that was graduated last night is the fact that some
of the members are going to keep right on with their citizen
ship studies. They are not satisfied with knowing merely
enough to become naturalized. This must be as encouraging
TO those in charge of the classes as It's gratifying to the Amer
lean people generally.
Furthermore, the third class in American citizenship has
already been formed which promises to be more popular than
the two previous classes. This is real progress. 1t is a Won
derful work that this Americanization movement is accom-
plishing. AS the foreigners who come to these shores realize
that this is a genuine effort to help them and that they are not
to be exploited as so many of their fellow countrymen have
been in the past, they are eager for the opportunity to become
real American citizens. The assurances that they have re
ceived along this line has been confirmed through experience
and there is every reason to believe that these citizenship classes
will grow rapidly in popularity.
1t is a notorious fact that most of the unrest that we find
all about us today is caused either by foreigners ignorant of
American institutions and customs, or by men who have been
misled into a false impression of what American liberties stand
for.
We cannot get very far unless we all understand each 9TH
er. We do not ask the foreigner TO forget his mother tongue,
but as this is an English speaking nation and as the immigrant
has come here of his own free will he ought to make himself
familiar with that language as soon after arriving as possible.
Especially should he insist that his children learn to speak,
read and write English for there is no question that the chill
dren, with but few exceptions, expect TO grow up in this coun-
trEahd spend their lives here. 1t goes without saying that they
will be greatly handicapped if they are not thoroughly taught
English while they are young.
It'll highly commendable in one of our so called foreign
churches that within the past few months a pastor has been
engaged to take charge of the services in English in addition
TO the pastor who breaches in the foreign language. This
church realizes that it is established in America where the
language spoken is English and for that reason the people are
being encouraged to use English and, needless to say, the chill
dren are being thoroughly grounded in English. We COM
Aend the progressiveness of this church to other religious or
CARNATIONS conducted by different nationalities in this country.
AS a decided step along this line the Americanization
classes in citizenship now being SO successfully conducted in
this city are a great success. The value of these classes to the
individual as well as to the city, state and nation cannot be
overestimated. The man who embraces this opportunity to
become proficient in the use of the English language at and the
same time learns American history and becomes informed as
to American customs and institutions is placing himself in q
position of leadership among his fellows. When at work in the
various industries he will not have to depend upon what some
one else tells him, but will be able to read and understand for
himself. When crooks and exploiters try to put something
over on him he will be able to judge for himself what are his
rights and just what privileges he is entitled to.
So we offer our congratulations to the members of the
citizenship class that has just been graduated and wish for
every one of them a full share in all the blessings that this great
republic offers. Before the law they, today, stand the equal
OF any other American, from the President down to the
humblest citizen. While they, themselves, being of foreign
birth, can never hope to become President, there is no reason
why their children born in this country cannot. Here's hoping
that some of themrwil rise to become the head of this greatest
of all nations on earth.