The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1919-02-21

men in the life of America who had
risen from the ranks of emigrant to
Congressman, Senators and Cover
nors of States by mastering the Ian
guage and history of the country.
He deprecated the fact that there
were over 100000 people in the
United States who were not citi-
zens and that a large share of them
would never become citizens. It was
also his opinion that more drastic
measures would be adopted to either
have them become of us or deport-
alton would eventually follow. He
was not in favor of going out and
gathering them to the bosom of the
best country on earth but that in
order to remain in the country they
should show their intentions. He
did not spare the native born who
were not loyal and stated that some
thing should also be done to bring
this class of citizens to true real
ization that America was for Amer
leans first and not to be considered as
just as good as some foreign country.
While he thought much of the man
who venerated his mother country he
had no use for the fellow who came
here and took all opportunities Off
cred, and accepted none of the liabii-
ties. Healso left the impression that
the fellow who claimed exemption on
account of being an alien in the recent
draft, would be really and truly out
of luck hereafter. The talk was well
received.
The meeting opened with the rails
ing of the flag by Clerk Holloway
and the salute to the colors. The
audience then sang America" Miss
Esther Englund of the high school
and the high school glee club led the
singing and Miss Dorothy White
played the accompaniment. The
recitation in unison of the American
Greed followed. Supt. H. E. White,
chairman of the Americanization
committee in Ely acted as chairman
of the meeting. Geo. L. Brozich
stated the objects Of the plan in the
Slavonic language and John E. Por-
than spoke in Finnish. Both gentle
men briefly outlined the purposes of
the meeting and also the purposes of
the Americanization program through
out the United States. Both were
vigorously applauded.
Principal w. E. Englund of the
high school made very telling short
talk on patriotism and the chances
offered in the school to become pro-
ficient in the language of the country
through the night school courses now
being taught every Monday, Tuesday
and Thursday evenings. Mr.. Eng
lund very ably set forth the chances
offered by the schools and sand
wiched in few dialect stories to ill
ustrate his points.
Deputy Clerk of Court Holloway
told those present how and where to
secure first papers and how to go
about it to apply for second papers.
He has opened an office at the city
hall and will be there including to-
day from $50 to 1900 M, from 100
to 5 and from 1880 to P. M. for
the purpose Of issuing declaratory
(frst) papers and receiving pc
titions for citizenship (second) pa
pers. He stated that those who were
qualified as to residence and other
requirements could have their Pc
titions heard at the next term Of
court here providing they took i'm
mediate steps toward that end.
U. 8. Naturalization Inspector R.
X. Doe spoke very effectively on the
subject. He has come in direct con-
tact with the larger part of those Sc
curing papers in this state. He
spoke of the educational requirements
of the applicant and as to what con-
stitutes man of good moral charac-
ter. The demanded loyalty to the
constitution was also ably set forth.
He stated that the history of the
country was the best teacher of pat
riotism. He compared the chances
of the man who educated himself in
the English language withthe chances
of the man who could not speak En-
glish. He stated that he was a for
eigner himself and that upon arrival
in this country he had made every
effort to acquire the language, study
history and in every way fit himself
for citizenship. He said it was not
necessary to lose all love for the land
of your birth but that America
should be first in your thoughts and
loyalty.
According to announcement made
by Supt. White, beginning next
Thursday evening, one night a week
will be given over to teaching ap-
plicants in the fundamentals re-
quired for citizenship and requested
all to be present. Competent in
structors and lecturers will be on
hand to carry on the work. Everyone
is invited to attend these evenings
and the foreign born and also the
native born should avail himself of
the opportunity to brush up in civics
and history.
The meeting closed with the sing
ing of the "Star Spangled Banner