Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1919-07-22

Inc Olt1ZeuSillp CldSS nv. uGid 40
graduating exercises last night IN
the Public Library auditorium when
thirty men experienced that happy
feeling, as one was heard to remark,
second only to that of receiving the
final citizenship papers.
The exercises were opened by the
singing of the Star Spangled Ban
ner" followed by Pack Up Your
Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag" and
Morning" Colby Dill, who was chair
man of the graduation exercises,
gave q four minute opening address
which, in part, he said;
you men have just begun to learn
how important and how difficult
thing it is of learning to be a citizen.
1t takes brains to be a citizen. In
your school of citizenship, which you
have attended for the past three
first lessons of citizen. You should
continue to study the ideals and
ways of this great commonwealth
until you can teach your children
| and grandchildren the same ideals
and ways as they have been taught
| to you"
The program for the graduating
] exercises was as follows:
Star Spangled Banner"
Four minute speeches by F. w.
| Henson, city Americanizati6n secre-
tary; w. II. War;, general secretary
Perth Amboy Y. M C. A; j. w. Mil
| Ter, state Industrial secretary, New
ark, N. ].
Gurnett, chief examiner, Philadel-
! phia. ..,.e
Closing address by Adrian Lyon,
Perth Amboy.
| MIR. Gurnett addressed the men, be-
| fore presenting them their diplomas,
in which be stated:
my father and mother were both
of foreign birth. One of the happiest
days of my father was when, after
| living in this country for FIVE Years, he
| was able to go into court to secure his
/ second citizenship papers. Many per-
| sons who have lived here the re-
lquired number of years, find it almost
| impossible to obtain the second papers
from the fact that no one was inter-
ested enough in them to aid them In
/ our form of government, our national
= and state history. This was found
necessary to teach the foreigner,
struggling to become citizen, and so
| the work of classes of such character
as you men have been attending Tor
the past three months is being worked
out throughout the entire United
States.
."There is something more than be-
| ing able to master our language TO
| be a citizen. To become real Amer
lean you must have the spirit and
LOYALTY. One form of spirit and 10y
ality was exhibited by the foreigners
at the various camps, when mobiliza-
tion was in progress, when men who
| were called by the draft, but were
not citizens, had the opportunity OF
declining to become citizens In so
doing they could not be forced to
shoulder gun.
: "Nfnety- nine per cent of the men
stated their willingness to becoming
Uncle Sans people and to lending
their shoulder to the wheel. You
men sacrificed, SO that classes could
be attended with almost the same
spirit and I feel that every one here,
| when given their final papers, will be
true and loyal citizens"
! Former Judge Lyon Speaks.
In the closing address former Judge
| Lyon spoke to the men, in part, as
| follows:
II am glad to be able to be present
| So that l can take some part In this
| graduating exercise. because l cannot
see of a more important object, In the
| conducting of our institutions. thar
| lust what is going on tonight. You
men. 1nQ6eO, SHOulu hoI pS tiSSoNA
| aged. If you do not make the prog
ress YOU think you should make.
| can tell you my friends that there
! are many men, national born. VINO
cannot answer questions like you have
| in these classes. You are getting your
/ citizenship because of your ability to
| answer these questions and this ability
| will see.
! MANY American born people ge
! this same privilege from the fact thai
| they have become 81 years of age
| You have been given this right to vote
because you have acquired the know
(, ledge of our institutions. the forms OF
| government, and an insight to oul
ideals and manners of our Unltee
States. This diploma as Mr.. Gurneti
/ said is issued on the behalf of the gov
| ernment of the United States to yot
1 men who they deem worthy to be-
come citizens. You have mastered oui
| language and our form of govern
/ ment. It is mark of recognition foi
| your faithfulness.
/ The diplomas can be presented Y
the government official in the court
when you are securing your seconS
( papers, which will show him that 1t Il
not necessary to examine you on any
| subject pertaining to national ane
state government.
tContinued on page 81