The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-03-17
THURSDAY, MARCH II, 1921
DENIS MCCARTHY GIVES
STIRRING ADDRESS
st. Cecilia's Orchestra Renders De-
llghtfui Program Of Music. Largely
Attended Open Forum Meeting

The Skowhegan Opera House was
filled with an interested audience last
Sunday evening when Denis McCar-
thy of Boston delivered an address on
"Americanizing the Alien and Our
selves" under the auspices of the
Open Forum. Proceed ng the ad-
dress St Cecelias orchestra direct
ed by Mrs. A. b. Borden rendered a
delightful program of musical mum.
bers. Their program was as fol-
lows: Stony Point March Faith and
Hope, (R. Gruenwald, Oph. 400; A
Perfect Day, cornet solo by Andrew
Lessard with orchestra accompaniment;
Manrico; Overture &C. w. Bennett
solo, One Fleeing Hour, by Ernest
Groder and Shadow Dance by H. En-
gelmann. Oph. 740. The closing
numbers were the Bridal March
Overture &c. Lavalle) and Connect
cut March.
The speaker was introduced by FIR.
]. Louis A. Remand who greeted the
audience and made the Introductory
speech in very gracious and pleasing
manner. In response Mr.. Mccarthy
said that he was glad to be presented
as the speaker Of the evening and not
as lecturer Of the evening and not
to speak out his own heart as he was
an immigrant himself and that he
had been Americanized at some cost
and thought both to himself and the
United States. Mr.. McCarty said true
Americanization Is really humaniza-
ton and to Americanize, an American
must meet the immigrant on COM
mon love for humanity and bear in
mind his point Of view, his immense
possibilities, gifts and genius Of his
own land, potentalities of which he
little dreamed. Trying to under
stand the imm grant makes us better
Americans. He stated that many an
alien landed In the vortex of an Amer
lean large city life gets an altogether
wrong idea Of American life, the true
and real American life of which
there is nothing finer. Mr. McCarty
said that this year, where We have
just celebrated the tercentenary Of the
landing OF the Pilgrims, we were
reminded that we were all immi-
grants, and that he could not come
over on the Mayflower because there
was no room, because there were SO
many people and things that came
showing q line of humor which often
asserted itself during his address. He
seriously urged that we Americans dc
not try to destroy but rather consider
the important and essential heritage
Of his home country and respect his
race, that he'll have something to
build on and will the more readily
become Americanized, which cannot
be done at once, in double somer-
sault. but will take time to bring
about. He said that America was moi
the land of the Almighty dollar alto.
gether. as many foreigners believe
but rather the country of the AL.
mighty ideals. To be sure the AL
mighty dollar Is made here and those
no have great wealth. are spending
It to make better citizens and to
make the humanity of America en-.
1arged and more glorious. Mr.. Nc
Carthy gave very interesting account
of his first knowledge of the American
Memorial Day observance, when
he had been in Boston only two days
and expressed his ideas about the
day; that 1t should not be turned over
to games and sports but that 1t
should be the hottest holiday, and
recited poem Memorial Day. He
pad tribute to the American home
life and said that there was nothing
finer and more noble.
In closing Mr.. Mccarthy recited the
following of his poems How Not to
Do it, 1.-THE Graduate playing
Bear" "Daddies and Ladies'" 1.-The
Little Woman That Runs the House"
"Ah, Sweet Tipperary in the Spring
OF the Year" Fields of Valley Clare"
1.-THE Fortune Fairy" and, the last
poem being a most beautiful one, "A
Son for the Flag" which he wrote
not only for the people who were born
In America, but for those who have
come from other shores.
Both his address and rotations
were thoroughly enjoyed and the
words that he uttered should have a
lasting influence upon both our native
and foreign born citizens.