Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-26
QUALIFYING FOR CITIZENSHIP.

= Few years ago a young man, born in North ~.
ko oL and having reached the age Of citizenship. went 70
Western Canada and filed on a homestead. In accordance
Wl'n the laws Of the country he took the oath ~ ali.
glance to King George and made the mai proor =, "a.
{e calm. After obtaining title he returned to his natiye
s.A.e' declared his intention to become a citizen Of the
vnlted States, and in due time presented himaelt "a,
l -. conpieuon OF his citizenship. His application wal
re!ecteo on the ground that he did not give evidence of
sumc1ent familiarity with the principles Of Amenc.n
soVernment to warrant his acceptance:
American citizenship is not "a essv IA oh.,,, /, !,
ohce. There was, a time when it was a easy ia he
.an1'tt uo o full citizenship as it is to obtain a dog Ii.
g $50. "a tnat which was so easily obtained was apt to
ne hsntly regarded. Some progress has been made IN
recent years toward creating the impression thai Amcr;-
can citizenship has some value. aud is not ALWAYS n
pc had merely for the asking. At least soma of the evI.
oence OIL illness must be given before the immigrant is
accepted.
Bt here was a man born into citizenship. who grew
up In familiarity with the language Of the country
With access to its schools, land with Opportunity tn ia.
miliarize himself with its institutions. And vet when
suD1ected to the test which is applied to the foreign born,
The failed.
Had it not been for the fact that he had voluntarily
ienhauisneo his status he would now have been a citi-
zen OF the United States entitled. not alone to the pro-
OF III laws, but to the full participation in maxi
ing those laws. The authorities who passed On his case
declared him not properly qualified. Had he remained
mere continuously he would have been equally unouan-
ned but he would have been a full partner in the govern
ment, nevertheless.
Until he voluntarily changes his status the person
porn on American soil is a citizen of the republic owes
4 ies.anc &c H. and is entitled as a matter of right to
complete protection in the exercise of all rights of per
son and property that any other citizen enjoys. But he
rs not, OF right, entitled to participate in directing its
anslfs until he can show some reasonable measure of
fttneas for that work.
We do not permit an individual to operate Ia 4
phyae4An until he demonstrates some decree oe atnaea
1of that work. A man may not practice law without
pasa1ng an examination. He may not serve, Is a en-
S1neer until he has shown some knowledge of the princi-
ples OF. engineering. He may not shave the public or cut
70 mar without passing an examination as a barber. But
Hn happens that he was born within the confines Of
the UNITED States. and has reached the age Of Fl, he may
90 to the polls and vote and thus exert An influence
on tne enactment Of every law and the selection Of every
o0cal called to serve the public
Why not have an examination in citixenship before
Ine VOTING privilege is granted? This would involve no
lnterference with natural rights. Let the native born
citizen enjoy the protection Of the government. Let him
oe Tree IN person and secure as to property. Let him enjoy
freedom OF speech and liberty Of conscience. But before
ne Is permitted to vote let him show that he knows some.
thing about the United States of America We require
that OF the foreigner: why not of the native?
II this were done a little different valuation would
pc paced on the ballot. and possibly a greater care
might be exercised in using it.