Evening journal., 1919-04-07
AMERICA ALWAYS
friend OF JEW
Mayor Invites Those Now
Alien to Become Citizens
at Once
OTHER SPEAKERS
LAUD THE RACE

A well attended Amcricanization
meeting was held last night in the \,
NJ. II. 4. auditorium. under the aus
plces OF Delaware Lodge No. iii, indie
pendent order Birth Sholom. The speak
ers were Mayor Lawson, Benjamin l.
Rubinson, Philadelphia attorney, and
Isadore Rccs. Harry llirsch presided
and introduced the speakers. Mayor
Lawson said in part:
at seems 20 me that YOU have chosen
a very good day 70 consider the sub
ject as 10 why aliens In This country
should become citizens. Two years ago
today our Congress resolved in favor
OF war with Germany. Germany scoif-
ed and was sure that we never could
set our men across the sea I'm any num-
Der 10 affect the result OF the war. The
readiness Of our men 10 answer the call
10 protect our country proved the real,
true American spirit and was the means
Of sending two million soldiers over,
half Of whom have seen active service.
After asserting that since INC jew
and GENTLE alike have been free to
come to this country, Mayor Lawson
continued as follows: "Having, there
lore, come to this country, having en-
ioyed the opportunities and blessings
which a Republican form Of govern
ment cOnfers upon mankind and real
ling that no handicap. because OF race,
\ placed upon him, / assert without
fear OF contradiction, that today No
country IN the world offers 10 the Jew
} greater measure Of freedom mentally,
morally, financially and politically as
loes the Unllcd States.
u, therefore, must earnestly urge
upon you, as Hebrews. that those Of
you who have not as yet become ciii-
Eens Of the United States Of America.
should, as soon as possible. under our
laws qualify yourselves 10 become such
citizens, and thereafter see to 10 that
YOU take a hearty. active and earnest
interest I'm the political affairs OF our
country: so that when you cast your
vote, no matter whether it be a city
election, county election. state
election or a national election. YOU will
have at an times the welfare OF the
whole country at heart. In this con
nection, let me add, don't make your
votes count as votes as Hebrews. Make
your votes count as votes as Americans
and for America"
Mr.. Rees declared that all foreign
ers who had been oppressed by an auto
cracy, readily recognize the advantages
Of our democracy. America does not
stand for revolution" he declared.
"Glve the best that is in you 10 this
country and contribute those moral
and ethical qualities that characterize
our race" he added as hc cul0gized the
Jewish people as eXponcnis Of enlighi-
cnment for the advancement OF man
Kind.
Mr.. Rubinson. who represented the
Birth Shol0m organization, declared
that 10 is not enough II some OF the
Jews are Americanized. 1--WE want all
the Jews to be Americanized," he said.
This Is imperative" he added "be-
cause when a jew performs noble
deed, he Is given credit as an indlvld-
ual. whereas, when a Jew commits anI
ign0ble deed, the whole race is censur-
ed" Mr.. Rubinson concluded his adj
dress by an appeal for organization in
lodges, where men can get together and
exchange ideas and at the same time
satisfy their instinct for gregarious-
ness.