Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-16
US. Halls American Day

~. -. e0US \IIICIIS0II 10y
THE interest and patriotic enthusiasm of the American
4 people for the Il Am American ceremonies held
May 10 throughout the country have been satisfying 10
all who took part an the observance.
The Congress Of the United Sates certainly made
mistake in giving official II Am an American
Day which did by Joint resolution finally approved
on May J. 1870.
II should interest," the american people thar the author
OF this resolution Rep Joshua Johns of Wisconsin
whose should thus be permanently associated with
future obServaqces of the day,
II is particularly fitting thar representative of Wis
should have contributed importantly toward Civ
ing national character. 10 II Am American Day"
Wisconsin community first successfully conducted
The patriotic ceremonies which inspired the Hearst
papers 10 urge nationwide emulation.
ON JUNE g. 1859, the Hearst papers said edtorialy:
~ "A patriotic idea worthy of emulation throughout
the nation il that of Manowoe County the city
WauwatOsa in Wisconsin in observing CITIZENSHIP DAY
Il Am American Day..
"All the young people of the county who have
attained the age of 81 during the year formally vel
coined NEW CITIZENS by the community, each
receiving certificate attesng his citizenship and each
Months f of ms %
the ceremonies with the result that young Americans
reach the estate of citizenship with full knowledge
of its rights and privileges well its duties and
responsibilities
I'm Manitowoc County this year $50 young and
women born in the World War year of 1918. assembled
for this impressive ceremony before thrilled of
thousands representing the entire state of Wisconsin,
This patriotic spectacle reflects great credit upon the
people OF Wisconsin
ssJN ADMINISTERING the constitutional oath to the
young citizens of Manitowoc County, Chief Justice
Marvin b. Rosenberg of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
said:
THE principal purpose and object of this preparation
for Citizenship Day is to enable you to exercise this
great power wisely and to prepare to participate
citizens and if chosen officers, to participate in the
government of your country
Further emphasis upon the patriotic significance of
the occasion made by President A. Dykstra of the
University of Wisconsin who in reminding the newly made
citizens that they had set their feet the road of
American democracy, said:
Your fathers have Travelled il for centuries Con-,
nue it and keep it open Millions yet have the right
to be born free.
"'Let freedom ring. But also LET FREEDOM LIVE
AND WORK
ssD ISTRICT ATTORNEY THOMAS f. DEWEY of
a - New York City. sent a telegram to the class
which said in part:
the completion of formal course of citizenship Ct
zenshp is in truth commencement 1t is the beginning
OF long journey upon the success of which TIE
FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY DEPENDS
1.-THE full measure of the OCCASION however, was in
the significant response of the young people themselves
voiced by their spokesman, Jerome A. Mahlberg.
Had it not been for these ceremonies he declared,
many of us might have been content to take citizen
ship responsibilities lightly and unthnkingly. But this
program climaxed by the inspiration of this day, cal
lenges us to take our place.
1--WE ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE to put our best
thought and best effort into the serving of
country state and nation
communities to make the induction of citizens,
who have here from foreign lands the occasion for
formal recognition and observance.
"Native-born Americans, crossing the threshold of
citizenship and taking up the burdens. duties and
privileges of citizenship should be equally recognized
and hOnored.
1T is one Of the most important days of young
Americans life when he reaches the of active citizen
ship
'He achieves that day vote and a voice i'm his
cOuntry's affairs.
Nothing deprive him of those rights thereafter
except his criminal misconduct.
party in government. without risk of life, property
standing i'm his community.
"He is AN AMERICAN IN FULL STANDING,
regardless of private wealth position regardless of
creed opinion and regardless of the legitimate
minorities majorities with which he may affiliate
Few other countries put such responsibilities upon