White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1920-11-14
EDUCATING THE FOREIGNER
TO NAMERICAN CITIZEN

the nation. but tho greater question
assimilation and education of the new
comer-is being Neglected.
As Edward L. Burnett writes in the
American Legion Weekly, the vague
caption OF ignorant foreigner Is false
and unjust Just because a newcomer
cannot speak the English language
when he arrives in this country Is no
reason why ne should be labelled the
Ignorant foreigner" The young peo-
pie OF America do not study foreign
languages in a way mat would qualify
them TO speak any language SO as tc
be understood in the country where it
is spoken. Why should a country of
Europe call one of these Americans an
ignorant foreigner( Just because he
was unable on landing to speak the
language OF the country? Birth is an
accident TO the one most concerned, and
II that individual is not satisfied with
his environment why should he be COM
PEELED to stay put and be denied the
right OF advancement
The constitution OF this great country
| gives the newcomer to its shores the
right to become a citizen after a resi-
dence of five years. provided the APP
plicant for such citizenship has COM
| piled with the laws of the country and
can furnish two witnesses who viii
vouch for his character and d~esirabiii-
ty as a citizen. The immigration laws
should be strict in the matter Of pre-
venting cults from other nations seek
ing refuge in this country. but to the
sound worker of other nations who
seek a home in the United States a
welcome should be extended. The
great trouble with the United States is
that the welcome has been extended
and great hopes of a free future held
out but there the welcome ceases. n
government proper does its part. but
the community fails utterly.
The government declares an immi-
grant may become a citizen in five
years. with all the rights and pri-
viieges. but the community demands a
time extending over the second and
third generations and a certain financial
standing before Ii will recognize such
citizenship. Something Is wrong.
either the regulations of the govern
ment must be amended to require a
longer period OF residence or the COM
munity must recognize its duty to the
newcomer and assist in the great work
of assimilation. II Is true that the
government provides night schools and
other facilities for the foreigner, but
What is the use Of learning the English
language if The community will not
speak to the new citizen, He learns
the language and then learns that he
is called something in a foreign lam
guage. which means, when translated.
dog" What chance a he to as
simulate. Yet he and his wife and his
children win soon have a voice in the
government. The forefathers of the
American people came to America to
escape persecution and the great curse
of birth class. yet this country is only
i45 years old and class lands out
stronger than II does in countries
centuries old.
Tho American OF today who has
reached the age of maturity. although
his grandfather came to this country
unable to speak the English language.
and made good. puts himself in a class
which Gales the children of immigrants
"bonunks." where is the freedom or
the class abolition?
The pioneer industries of America
have been quilt by these same new
Corners. The Union Pacific Railroad.
which connected this great continent.
WIZ pulil W II aha tAVVt -
Just such men as are today commonly
called ignorant foreigners. Every
great industry has been i%naugurated
by the men who came here to labor
| and learn the ways and language of
the country. There is no excuse for
| the foreign colonies which exist In
| America today. The blame is entirely
with the community and the sooner the
community realizes It's duty and takes
up the assimilation of the newcomer
| from overseas as an Exact science the
| better for the country. It Is nonsence
to say the foreigner Is not worthy.
the man who viii fight to maintain
| your nome is worthy of a welcome to
that home. I. is often a that the
customs of a foreigner cannot be
changed. A close inspection OF some OF
the customs would be of great advant-
age to native-horn Americans. Let tho.
| native American study n frugal life
of the so-caiied foreigner: his care to
live within his earning capacity. his
desire for a big. healthy family; his
selection of nourishing food and his
| desire to become Independent OF daily
toll.
Human welcome is all the new citi-
| gen needs. II his neighbors give that
welcome and show him how he can
best fit into the new life he will un-
| doubtedly become a grateful Citizen.
II his ~neighbors are not receptive or
active in their help he may become a
good citizen in spite of them. but the
chances are not great. Bitterness. dis
content. lack of success. misundcr-
standing and misuse may assail him
and make him an easy victim of the
forces that are ever ready to destroy
government.
This country like all others in his
tory, will some day face the great
struggle. The love for mother country
Is deep in every heart. unless there Is
one with soul so dead. that never to
Himself has aid. this is my own, my
native land but 1t would take a dead
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