The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-05-11
A n-Functionins Melting Pot.

a Notwithstanding Melting Pot.
Not many years ago it was the GUS
tom of writer's and orators to dwell
fondly upon the beauty and efficiency
of the melting pot of America. telling
in glowing language how the foreigner
entered the pot at New York, Boston,
New Orleans or San Francisco, where
after mixing with the Strangers from
other lands and those of our own peo-.
pie, he finally emerged full-fledged
American. This made very pretty
story, or rounded sonorous period, but
experience has demonstrated that both
story and period were things more Of
imagination than of reality.
The facts concerning the working ca
pacity Of the melting pot of America
do not make encouraging reading for
those who have the best interests of
our country at heart as they show
clearly that the different races and
nationalities do not blend into the one
which we term American. 1t is too true
that the millions who left their father
lands because of hardships and, in
some instances, cruelties, persist in
retaining in the new country the GUS
toms, language and general conditions
which they are supposed to have left
behind them in the lands of their
birth.
Instead of seeing with the eyes of
their self-chosen country, they con-
tinue to see with those of the one they
voluntarily relinquished; they bring
with them, and insist upon holding, the
prejudices, animosities and antagon-
isms which the institutions and GUS
toms of one country have cultivated
against another. 1t seems strange that
the German who left his fatherland in
order to escape the hardships of mill
tary service should espouse the cause
of that country when 1t embarked
upon an unrighteous war Of conquest.
and should side. in a vast number of
cases, with his former country when
its supposed interests went counter to
those of his adopted country.
Again, II certainly seems strange !
that those Of Irish birth, having seen |
for themselves the evils of hatreds be- |
tween peoples in their own land, |
should insist upon retaining in the i
land of their adoption the antagonisms
that split their own people and made |
enemies of their neighbors. And yet, |
while assuming the obligations Of their |
new life in the social industrial and |
political affairs of our land they per-
sist in holding fast to the very thing
which was mainly responsible for their
in the land of their birth. |
The Irish have done much for Amer
lea: they have developed the natural |
resources of the country, built public |
works and fought the battles Of the |
nation. and yet they have allowed their
warm hearted natures to retain racial
hatreds that work to the detriment of
their adopted country. America. too,
has been kind to the Irish. She has
given to the sons of the Emerald Isle
political preferment far in excess of
the proportion due them on account Of I
their actual numbers in this country
the people of Irish blood holding pro-
portionally far greater percentage of
offices Of trust and emoiument under
the government of the United States
Ito say nothing of the individual
those of any other
descent.
native and adopted alike--is that they
shall put aside all chickering's and quar-
rels, cease their hatred of one another,
cast aside all foreign allegiance and
act only in accordance with her ideals,
hopes and aspirations. This much, at
least, is due our country; and unless
the duty is performed fully and will
ingly, the progress of the country will
be retarded and the best interests of
The whole people will be injuriously
affected If not absolutely Destroyed
Miami Herald.