The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-06-14

| declaration OF war against Germany
are two of the most marked declara-
tions and proof of our determination
for rights and freedom in the form
Of their expression. They are two
open expressions of Americanism in
a high degree.
One Of the greatest problems fac
| ing Americans today is how we shall
Americanize the foreigners coming
into this country. am afraid they
| look at America in wrong light.
They look at it as "the land of the
Free" where unlimited freedom
abounds. A very good illustration of
| this sentiment is when the Irishman
came to this country. After landing,
he began to shout and cry: "Freedom!
Freedom! Hurrah for liberty!" He
was going down Broadway. and as he
was shouting and throwing his hands
up, he hit fellow on the nose, for
which he received a blow.
"Vell. thought dis vass a free
country!" cried the Irishman.
eyes, but your freedom ends where
my nose begins," replied the man.
This little illustration shows very
plainly the definition of liberty and
freedom, as interpreted by some of
our own people. The second idea on
which our government is founded is
too often disregarded-tha is, free
dom in so far as it does not interfere
with the freedom of others This is
good citizenship.
After all, "Americanization is only
education for good citizenship" This
includes native-born as well as for
eign-bOrn. The answer to training
for good citizenship is to develop the
ability to think clearly and passion
ately. We are not made to think
enough. If a person really thinks
clearly, he will not disregard the free
dom and rights of others.
The American teacher comes nearer
reaching all classes and the greatest
number of people, or children at
least, and she should be a great help
in Americanization. We need cru
against the dangers of the wild, but
against poverty. ignorance, disease
and injustice. After these obstacles
are removed, the path of Amerizani-
zation is paved.
One means towards this end is to
encourage the mixing of our foreign
children and natives at school. Let
them have common interests, and do
not allow each to be grouped to them
selves. The foreign child will learn
our customs and habits, and by mix
ing with the other children he will
soon learn the English language. En-
courage the children in cleanliness,
in keeping the surroundings clean. in
having consideration for their school
mates, and teach them in such a way
that studying and learning will be a
pleasure. These foundations of good
citizenship will be laid while the chill
dren are in school, and it will natural
ly grow up in them. The teachers
should be the main source in the
teaching of Americanism. She does
not have to teach history or civil
government in order to do this. but
eevry subject we study is saturated
with it, and our everyday life is full
of it, if it is only taught to us in such
manner that we might recognize it.
Other ways in which teachers may
| help is to discuss current community
n>ovements that tend to make better
citizens; for example, the Importance
of pure milk, the Importance of keep
ing the streets clean, and the like.
Another way in which children
could show their good citizenship and
patriotism is by saving their nickles
and dimes, investing them in thrift
stamps and war savings stamps, and
even some of the larger boys and
girls might have enough money to
! invest in liberty bonds.
Not only is it necessary to teach
the children, but it is just as impor-
tant that we teach the older ones who
are not Americans. A few means of
becoming a good American are: to
learn the English language, read
newspapers printed here, learn to do
things-eat, live, dress as Americans
do, learn what the American holidays
mean and why we celebrate these
days, compare industry, business and