YoungstownskeÌ SlovenskeÌ noviny = Youngstown Slovak news. (Youngstown, Ohio) 1910-1940, 1924-03-14
1 + TIN
OH THE sLovAK LEAGUE or
AMERICA.
BY: @. b. KOREFF.
AMERICAN1ZATION.

lem, AUGMENTATION is queS-
ftion which holds the foreground
of public discussion. In an inverse
ratio, the more there is said about
ii the less it is understood, be-
cause under that generic name
Observation-Disclosures interests
understand different things, no:
all Of which are intended to work
out to the benefit Of the pro-
posed object which IS to be Ameri-
canized. In its simplest definition,
Americanization is the method by |
means of which the foreign born
are to be acquainted with the l.
deas Of America. There can be no
reasonable objection to the desire
Of the native citizens to- acquaint
the foreign born with their new
surroundings; the causes which
produced them; the ideas which
created them and the spirit which
maintains them. There can be no
reasonable objection to their de-
sire that every foreign-born resi-
dent should become acquainted
with the language Of the country
in which he makes his permanent
residence; learn its traditions;
customs and habits; respect lis
laws, and finally, after having be-
come acquainted with all that
which was new to him upon his
arrival, identify himself with
these ideas and principles by be-
coming an American citizen by
naturalization-the highest dis
tinction which can be accorded to
the men and women born in for
cign lands. "SA
All the foregoing would indi-
cate the necessity Of a process of
evolution the consumption of
which would depend on indivi-
dual efforts a much as in indivi-
dual adaptability. But it seems
that some Of our native citizens
cannot see this necessity, and ig,
norine one Of the most -fundamen.
tai laws Of nature, that Of evolu.
ton, are intent on making Ame.
ricans out of the foreign-born by
means Of short cuts. These short
cuts are sometimes patriotic raj
hes, or flag raisings, at othe,
times pressure employed in the
workshops or in the community
but at no time is there recognized
the necessity of sounding out IL
what extent the prospect las
grown mature for Americanizatior
and eventual citizenship. With thu
exception Of the English, Welsh
Scotch or Irish, all other foreign
ers are at great Disadvantage.
These first mentioned foreign
ers have the advantage of speak
ing the language Of this country
all the others still have to learl
it. IT is for that reason that an,
one Of these first mentioned for
eigners will speak derisively o
the other foreigners, though fo
no other reason than that. Of al
accidental knowledge Of Ian
gnage which had accidentally be
come the language Of the country
The same foreigner has a part
cnlar significance in England an
Ireland, where every one who
X ~ 1
not native is foreigner. But i
this country the name foreigne
is misnomer, for we are all fol
eigners, more or less; some by ia
less than others are inclined
credit us with. We are mentionin
this for but one purpose. Ther
is possibility Of confusing th
ability to speak English with An
ericanization.. We want to for,
stall that possibility by sayin
that the ability to speak Englis
has nothing TO do with Americ,
nism or Americanization. TO spea