New Britain herald., 1919-04-26

to seek new homes in other lands. America offered them a better op- portuntty than elsewhere to get on in the world so they came here ana adopted America for thelr roster country, and have now become bone and sinew of American l1te
 It is a hundred years since the congress of Vienna passed it's decrees against Poland but a century or such conditions has not lessened patriotism. The Poles have never forgotten the old kingdom. They never cease to sigh for their lost independence. They cling to everything that recalls the Poland of the past. Their artists and poets have all assisted in keep ing the spirit alive. and have made rationaI incidents the inspiration for their u,orl1s The ancient fire still burns in her authors, and the book stalls are crowded with their pro- ductions
 The majority Of the Poles when thev landed in America were strong, healthy. economical ana energetic, but an uneducated people. Here in the United States ot America they found the freedom of which they had been deprived and the opportunity that was open to them and which they were prompt to seize, here they can worship God as their conscience dictates. here they have educational nrivi]eees such as they could not have in Germany and Russia here in their beautiful land of America they find new life. new hopes and new privileges for which they are grateful.
 To America they owe loyalty which will never be forgotten. A test came during our recent war. When the call for volunteers came. who answered the call more Loyalty than the Poles? And that wasn't enough. for men over and under our draft age so that they were not accepted hy America. joined the independent Polish Legion. which took it's place in France and fought side by side With the Allies
 The Poles have been capable of every sacrifice for patriotic alrns lucy proved their sincerity by free " purchasing Liberty bonds and War saving Stamps; by their unpreced- ented support of the American Red cross; and by the cheerful way in winch they responded to the call of the rood administration to save. Nor was this all, for they also gave
 iberally to the Polish White Cross. and to the Polish army that is doing so m uch to restore their nation.
 Now the question arises, that since Poland has regained her place in the world, will the Poles remain in America? Iris true that some will re- turn. But of the many thousands now living in the United States a very small percentage will ever re- turn to their native land to stay there Although the Pole lcves Poland with m undying love that only persecution and oppression can produce, yet he loves America the land of his adop- ton more. And why shouldn't he |? This is the home of his children. This is the land that gave his family a prosperous living. This is the country that gives them education, and gives to all the privileges that come to the native born. For this the Poles are indeed grateful to America the land of opportunity and success. and they can say, in the language of the poet: Standard most glorious, banner of
 beauty.
 Wither you beckon me. there I will
 go.
 Only to you, after God. is my duty Unto no other allegiance, | owe.
 Heart of me, soul of me. yours to command,
 Flag of my land, Flag of my land. Educational Benefits. Education in the evening schools was treated by Esther Rose O'Rilley as follows:
 The education of the people is a necessity in republic like ours, be- cause the people govern. When the people govern, 1t is of the highest inl- portance that the people be not only intelligent, but that they have an educated intelligence. In 9 demo- cratic country, ignorance is the most dangerous Of enemies. If the people are without knowledge. and are un- able to avail themselves of the ex- periences of the past, they can never govern themselves wisely or well. To be able to govern others, we must first learn to govern ourselves. Out of this necessity of seif-sov- ernnlont there has grown up in the United States. a system of public edu- cation 70 protect the people aga inst ignorance, and to prepare them for American citizenship. And to this end we have the schools of the people. But there are thousands among us whose needs cannot be met by the day schools alone. There are people who oone to the United States from foreign lands, who are not able to speak our language or understand our Institutions. There are others who leave the day school very early to so to work. They are all a part of this great republic, and will later help to make our laws. Tn order to meet ; their needs evening schools have been established.
 Especially in the classes for be-