New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-01-04
new CITIZENS ARE
ACCORDED WELCOME
Public Exercises Held in Audi
forum Of EIihu Burritt School

Certificates of citizenship were pre-
scented to % candidates at inspiring
exercises held last evening in the au-
ditOrium of the new Elihu Burritt
school on North street. This was the
first public gathering of its kind in
New Britain and an interesting pro-
gram was rendered with q large at
tendance present.
Mayor George A. Qugley formally
welcomed the candidates to full citi-
zenship, advised them as to their
duties and responsibilities and out
lined the privileges to which they had
become heir. He expressed the hope
and conviction that they would always
consider sacred the honor which was
being conferred upon them and that
they would readily respond when
their adopted country or its flag was
in danger. He told them he was
sincerely pleased to extend the hand
of fellowship as an individual and
as mayor of the community.
Mayor Quigley presented Judge
James T Meskill as the best police
court judge in Connecticut" Judge
Meskill rendered the certificates to
the candidates, extolled the privi-
leges of citizenship and warned
them that there is no place in the city
or state for Bolshevism. He ex-
pressed the belief that the public
school system was responsible for the
excellence of the class. AS each can
didate advanced to the platform to
receive his certificate he was ap-
plauded by the audience.
President Ernest w. Pelton Of the
Chamber of Commerce presented
each candidate with a leather folder
in which to keep his priced certificate.
Mr.. PeltOn fitted appropriately into
the program because it was through
the efforts of the Chamber of Com
MERGE that AmericanizatiOn work
here was given it's impetus and 1t
was the Chamber of Commerce that
engaged Francis =. O'Brien to direct
the movement in this city.
Superintendent Stanley H. Holmes
of the school department delivered
the address of the Occa siOn an eX-
cellent patriotic speech that was fire.
quently interrupted by applause.
Mr.. Holmes address follows:
My friends: We have come here
to congratulate you upon the success
which has now crowned your aspira-
tons to become american citizens. We
have come to extend to you in be-
right hand of fellowship to our COM
mon citizenship as you take upon
yourselves the new character and
standing in this community We as
sure you that this is a very pleasant
duty. We are glad to welcome you
as fellow American citizens and to
cordially congratulate you upon the
great and important step which you
have taken.
I'VE are sure that the deep signi
ficance and the solemn character of
this step has not failed to impress
each one of you. It is indeed most
serious and impressive thing to eX-
change allegiance to ones native
country for a new allegiance for an
other country. At the same time we
know that YOU have already been in
America long enough to have fully
made up your minds as to the reasons
for this change of allegiance, and we
also know that these reasons are to
your minds neither trivial nor IN
significant.
you came to America because
America was essentially different from
the lands in which you were born and
to which you formerly bore allegi-
ance. And though it might have been
quite possible for you to have re-
manned in this country indefinitely
without becoming American citizens,
vet YOU have seen fit to apply for
American citizenship because Ameri-
can citizenship seemed to you more
to be desired than that of the cOun-
tries of your birth or former allegl-
ance.
Il read the other day some hun
dreds of letters that had been written
at my request by the pupils of our
public schools telling why their
parents had come to America. This
was one of the most interesting and
prOfta BILE experiences that have ever
enjoyed for it gave me fuller appre-
cia ton of the viewpoint of the man
who leaves his native home and COun-
try as you have done, to come to
settle in and be a citizen of a new
country.
These children were asked to talk
with their parents befor writing these
letters and | am sure they did so be-
cause of the very intimate and real
nature of the inform alton contained
in them.
IF | were to try to express COM
posite form the answers to the pues-
ion which they were asked, | should
phrase it something after this fashion
Our parents came TO America be-
cause they had heard Of America as
the land of opportunity. of freedom,
and of Justice, and the country where
each man who does right may have an
equal share in the government.
Il have no doubt these children
stated very we'll the reason which led
YOU men to leave your friends and
kindred and native lands and come to
America. You came here because
America promised to give to the man
who is Industrious and law abiding a
better living, q larger life, and a
larger freedom than he can have IN