Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1920-04-22
CLUB DISCUSSES
THE IMMIGRANT

Mrs. K c.. Train. The program con-
sisted of the reading of two articles
by Mrs. W. H. Hatch. One was an
article called 1.-THE Immigrants-Our-
selves" by Fred G. Butter and the
other "Toys Made in America" by
Fletcher r. Dodge.
The migrants-0urselves"
We hear much today about Ameri-
canization, but there seems to be a
great deal of confusion regarding it.
Some people seem to think we can
bring it about by a sort of drive such
as we used in our liberty bond cam
paign; other that new laws ought to
be enacted to secure it. Some advo-
cate driving out of the country all
who fail to become Americans within
a short time. Others insist we must
make them stop talking in any Ian
/ guage but English.
Before we can reach Americaniza-
ton, we must know just what is meant
| by the term. Mr. Fred G. Butter ex-
plains his conception of it in the fol-
lowing way:
| America is unique in that it is one
of the few countries without a native
population. All of the people here
are of foreign parentage save only
the Indian. The only difference be-
| tween the various people is in the
| length of time they or their families
have lived here. Some trace their ar
rival to the Mayfiower and others to
the last trip of the Mauretonia.
We are all of us foreign born or Of
| foreign parentage. We all came to
this new land to secure greater polit-
ical or religious freedom, greater OPP
portunity for mental or physical ad-
vancement greater rewards for our eff
forts.
From the very first, America be-
came thing apart, a new idea in this
matter of life. The physical dangers
into which the first settlers were
thrust develops a peculiar initiative;
a common courage a resourcefulness.
The dangers and vastness of the en-
pire drove the few inhabitants to-
gether for mutual help and protection.
-, Governments were instituted, rough
| but just. Men we're all equals.
In such a field new race was bred.
Small wonder that it differed from all
the other races Of earth from which
| it sprang. New ideas of human
brotherhood; theories of government;
visions of the rights of men, were
| the natural fruits of such soil. So
gradually there came into being that
which we call the American ideal.
Who shall define it? AS well try to
define truth, purity. and justice.
This ideal began to take form and
men from all the world were attract
ed, came to it's defense, and the story
of America spread through the world.
The process of true characterization
went on while the first pioneers were
gathered in small communities. A
helping hand was extended to each
new family, seed was loaned them,
and the communities scant hoard of
-four and meal was theirs until they
could contribute to it's stock. This
| the process citizenship went on. The
newcomers quickly fell into the ways
of their fellows. Each new candidate
| brought trader, arts, knowledge, Gus
| toms which enriched the whole.
| Now the newcomers are still pour
ing in Our little communities have
become great cities. No longer is the
helping hand extended. The result has
been that the great body Of new peo-
pie are not taken into the life Of their
community. Too often they have set
| tied in groups containing only their
own race. The customs the language
the dress of the old country have
been retained Isolation grows into
solidarity.
AS we modified men and women of
| this country to advance the cause OF
war, so we must now mobilize them
| for the assimilation Of our foreign
born We must make easily available
fundamental education in English
and civics, in American history, do
nestle arts and sciences and all those
| things which will enable our foreign
born people to utilize the best that
| America has to offer. Community
recreation must play larger part in
| the lives of all our people. Through
| community centers in our schools,
through food demonstrations, home
exhibits, our churches, our clubs, our
| foreign and native born must be
brought together as neighbors and as
citizens. We must realize that these
| foreign-born brothers are bringing
| talents, skill, arts, literature, music,
| inventions which will enrich our com
mon lives. We must meet them as
men and women
"Toys made in America. was also
presented and discussed
officers for the coming year were
elected:
President-Mrs. w. Fl. Hatch.
e-president-Mrs. Margaret Hill
Recording Secretary-Mrs. F. A.