Evening journal., 1920-06-26
LESSONS IN AMERICANIzATION.

.w.ur delaware ,unercanization Committee has just
issued little booklet entitled "Noces OF the New
America II might very appropriately have been called
Lessons in Amercanism for Natlve-Born Americans"
Tor no thoughtful turn ts pages without re-
solving to be better American because OF the example
set by these new arrivals whose love for all that America
should stand for breaks through the barriers Of an alien
speech and ns with admiration.
These essays were written by pupils in the Amercan
zation classes Of Wilmington. Many of them few
months ago knew not one word Of English How dini-
cult was the task Of expressing themselves In strange
tongue can be appreciated only by The American who
has had to make public address In French or Italian
or perhaps Russian The mastery OF English shown In
these papers is truly remarkable and those writers, whose
knowledge OF the language is most limited, make the
most eloquent appeal OF all; MY hart says, but my
mou didn't help me-" says one; but siatesmans eo-
ouence could better portray for the true spirit OF
America And another who has just begun his study OF
the language gives this simple and beautiful descrp-
ton OF the attitude thousands OF his feow-counry-
men in America: They tAmercansl help me every weare
so ! want be good myself to the best can to help all
the Brother houd PLACE the nag OF the United States
and help that nag every yesre and forever
Many valuable comments Amesicanzation problems
are made in papers One mot knowing Eng
lish we lived apart and Americans knew mostly our
weak points but good ways they did not know be-
cause IL was hard 10 expect Americans learn Ian
euase and customs" Another states The problem thus
Upon arrival In the United states found everything
strange to us; strange people, strange custom and
strange language. No wonder then, that we were for
America. at that time, may say dead, because we did
no understand language and did not know their
customs had to remain until we learned an this.
It was very hard for TO leabecause had nobody
to learn il from Americans that could teach all
thought about it until he time OF ne world war"
What the night schools have meant to the foreSn-born
Of Wilmingon told and over "1hs viii give us
an opportunity 10 join the socal life about us and 10
live better with each other and to about he
stituiion Of the most democratic country he world
Then as citizens win know what rghtfuly 10 demand
from this country An this the night schools did foI
us-and think IN how short a time IL was done. II any
body had told me month ago that I 10 make
speech before audience in English I would laughed
at him." Another pupil puts IL this way: Il have beer
here for ten years and cannot speak English WELL be-
cause live with Italians an the time and we all speal
in Italian. / speak English now, since the nigh
school has been OPEN lost single night
Tho school Ike school very much. win not have L
ask someone else write for me- let him know m,
affairs when do It myself. Another way TO lear
10 speak 10 join American Club so we can learn {,
play the American games with them and have a goo,
time and make ourselves at home without going back t.
the old country"
the greatest lesson this little booklet has for IN
nativeborn American the glimpse it gives OF the new
Americans conception OF citizenship in free republi
a honor, responsibility and an opportunity 'NNt
great tensityr says man. Il am waiting for tn
time when can take my second American naturaliza
.on papers" Another says "This is the proudest mo
ment in life for have just become citizens OF TAI
great country" And finer statement can be found
the literature OF American citizenship than this penne
by Hungarian, who technically an allen enemy Z
she he IT, "A citizenship means to me- fire.,
dom and love and gadness. And think it means N
same to all who gathering and live up under tn
Star spsnsed Banner loyal citizens. The star spanse