The Irish standard., 1919-09-27
BY c. j. Gedwell, C.S.V. of St. Viator
College, Bourbonnais.

Any one desiring to reach certain
end, must be willing to use specific
means conducive for that end. Amer
ica is facing a peculiar problem. The
ideals of liberty for which America
stands have appealed to all nationali-
ties and men from all parts of the
world have responded. 1t happens that
English is the language of the coun-
try, and yet there are hundreds of
thousands making their homes and liv-
ing here who cannot speak English,
and other hundreds of thousands who
can neither read nor write it. The
large majority of these people are
loyal to American ideals as they un-
derstand them, and all of them ardent
ly desire to participate fully in the un-
trammeled freedom and the greater op-
portunity that America affords to
them.
This is "a government of the people,
by the people and for the people" and
as such it rests only upon the intelli
gence of all the people. Now common
action is possible only when each in
dividual fully understands the needs
of the Commonwealth. Consequently,
each individual who cannot commu-
nicate freely with his fellow man can
not enjoy the full measure Of liberty.
He suffers distinct handicap in the
service he would render to himself and
the country in which he lives. The
inability on the part of any person to
speak English is, therefore, not only
hindrance to himself, but also to the
liberty of each English speaking per-
be reached through this universal sole
means of community cooperation. The
present, ultimate and remote well-be-
ing of all, whether at work and recre-
alton, in the school and in the hall of
justice, or in the pubic forum, rests
upon the universal use of the English
language.
While America is seeking to have all
of her subjects, and all who reside in
the United States learn English, it is
we'll to remember that the non-Eng-
lish speaking Americans have made
and are still making many valuable
contributions to the welfare of the
United States. The marvellous devel-
opment of natural resources, the won
derful achievement of industry, and
the great expansion of trade and CON-
merce that have marked the growth
of America, have been made possible
by the immigrant In addition, he has
contributed much to the intellectual
and spiritual welfare of the American
people. The future greatness of
America will depend in some meas
ure, upon the wisdom with which she
holds fast to these contributions.
It is natural for men to cherish
those endearing charms of their ma
tive tongue, and yet it seems perfect
ly fair to ask each man and woman
living in America to learn English
1t may be considered to be culpable
negligence for any foreign-born Ameri-
can citizen, or resident of the United
States not to learn the English Ian
guage, if this negligence is willful, and
If he had the opportunity of learning
it; because knowledge of the extent
of the rights and obligations of a good
American citizen, is an indispensable
requisite for the enjoyment and the
accomplishment is necessary. Fur
thermOre, l venture to say, that per-
son knowing the English language will
never find himself at a loss in civilized
countries, because the English Ian
the world, and is rapidly growing as
the missionary language of the world,
hence, the usefulness of the English
language is beyond shadow of a
doubt.
America has extended to every i'm
migrant her singular welcome, saying
to all good and assimflable men: Come
over and help US; embrace our laws
and our language; share our prosperity
and our hopes, and defend the flag
that protects and brings glory to one
and all. Presumably, each individual
came to this country of his own free
will. He remains because he desires
to do so, and because he wishes to en-
Joy the full measure of American free