Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-07-03
LESSON OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

independence Day. will be celebrated throughout the
hation tomorrow. We have good reason to celebrate.
Things are not what we would like them to be, to be sure,
and there is no harm in trying to improve conditions pro-
vided our efforts are in the right direction and we do not do
more harm than good. But as unsatisfactory as conditions
may be, they are so vastly better than in any other country
in the world that we should rejoice rather than feel dis
gruntled. There is good reason for making tomorrow a real
celebration.
Those who are inclined to find fault with their lot here
and who seem to think that they are having a pretty hard
time of it would do well to ponder over the news that comes
from Ellis Island where over 1000 immigrants have been
brought into America since July 4. There wa a mad race
Of steamships across the Atlantic, all loaded to capacity with
people of all nationaities trying to escape the horrors Of
Europe and looking with enthusiasm toward the compare
tive ease and comfort of the United States. Things here
will not be as easy, perhaps, as many of them think, but no
doubt they will find a big improvement over what they have
come from. At least, work is becoming more and more
plentiful for those who care to work and there is plenty to
eat, which is more than can be said of some countries.
Under the new immigration law only a certain percen-
tage of those from any one nation that are already here can
enter in one year. The new year for Immigrants began
July 4, hence the grand rush to be among those to get IN
before the quota for this year is full. For instance, the
quota for Greeks for the month of July is only $50 and more
than that number are already in port. There is a similar
rush from all other European countries and ASIA MINOR
Truly, on this, the eve of independence Day, there must be
q lesson for all of us in this great desire of all the world to
come to America.
- Talk with any of these immigrants and they, with one
accord, will tell you that the lot of the poorest of those in the
United States is SO much better than the lot of the great
majority in other countries that they are glad to be here and
share in what we have to offer. Re-adjustments are going
on here, the same as everywhere else; struggle as we may,
the situation has got to be met. 1t is, perhaps, natural to
want to cling to what we already have, but the longer we
fight the inevitable the longer will we be in reaching our
level where there will be smooth sailing once more.
And the level that will be attained, while not anywhere
near the peak of the war period, is bound to be higher than
it was before the war. 1t is only in this way that humanity
advances-step by step, each time gaining a little. "A look
back into history shows how far we have gone since the
Declaration Of independence was signed.
In all this advancement America has led the way. This
has been the modern land of promise and it is still so far
ahead of every other country that those of other national
tiles who can possibly do so, are glad to come here.
Let us, therefore, look on the bright side of our exis-
tence here and remind ourselves that, as hard as our lot
seems to be, it might be a great deal worse and that there
are thousands of people who would gladly change places
with us, no matter how difficult our position.
This, then, is the lesson that independence Day has for
us this year-to be contented with what we have and rejoice
that our lot has been cast in the land where the opportunity
is greater than anywhere else in the world.