corrupt, and foreignized populace demands and
desires
The insolent spirit displayed by these foreign
fledglings as they swagger, in the pride of politi
cal power, through the streets of the cities which
their votes control, and the arrogant manner in
which they presume to dictate as to how the gov
ernment or rather misgovernment, of the cities
shall be conducted, are enough to make the blood
of the home-born, native bred American boil in
his veins. Yet planks are inserted in political
platforms, and principles are advocated by party
leaders and office seekers, for the express purpose
of catering to and securing the vote of the foreign
element. Immigrants who are scarcely washed
from the dirt and demoralization of a semi-bar
barous life, are hastily naturalized and invested
with the privileges and powers of citizenship.
No feeling of patriotism swells in their breasts at
sight of the stars and stripes; they care not for
the lives that were sacrificed, the homes that were
made desolate, or the blood that paid the ransom
for those forty-two gems which deck our banner
of liberty 1 Sooner would they flaunt the flag of
anarchy and socialism above the stars and stripes
than give one drop of their blood in its defence.
Another notable factor which tends to foreign
ize our institutions, is the influence exerted by
some Americans, who while making the conven
tional round of foreign lands, become enchanted
by the courtly customs and manners that prevail
among the wealthy classes, and the deference with
which they are treated by the lower class of peo
ple. On their return they esteem it a mark of re
finement and breeding to criticise and condemn
what they are pleased to call the puritanical ten
dencies and institutions of their native country.
Such bastard Americans, increasing with the in
crease of travel in foreign lands, are so far as their
influence goes, co-workers with the foreign ele
ment in destroying the true American spirit and
civilization.
To be an American, does not simply mean
to be born on American soil / to speak the Eng
THE FREE LANCE.
lish language, and to adopt the American habits,
manners and customs. It consists in being thor
oughly imbued with a love for and a belief in the
principles of liberty, justice, and equality, which
lie at the very foundation of American institu
tions ; in a grateful appreciation of the blessings
of a free government, and a close regard for the
rights of the others ; in being in full sympathy
with our laws, and in being resolved to esteem,
cherish, and defend them. Our national safety
requires that our citizens if one in blood, be one
in their love of this land, and of true liberty both
civil and religious; that they be devoted to the
preservation of the Republic, and that all foreign
izing tendencies, whether displayed by the for
eign element or by native horn citizens, be quick
ly repressed.
There is great need of revival of the Ameri
can spirit, broad, deep, intense, pervading all
classes and conditions of society. If those who
conic to us from foreign lands do not wish to be
come Americanized in the full sense of that term,
let them return to their native country. Our
motto should be, "One country, one flag, one
people," and that people Americans, so that our
distinctive American institutions and civilization
may be maintained in purity and simplicity, and
may be handed down as a priceless heritage to
coming generations.
Junior Prize Oration. A. G. GUYER.
June 12th, 1893
In the recent memorial edition of the Boston
Journal appeared the following poem, which we
judge will be of undoubted interest to the readers
of the LANCE, and especially those of recent years.
In his reminiscences of Gettysburg published
in the North American Review for February,
Gen. Henry W. Slocum narrates this interesting
incident : "We called at the house which
has always been, an object of interest to all
visit this field. Near the line occupied by
JOSEPHINE HILLER