University of North Carolina Extension Leaflets (Volume 4) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1921 Excerpt: ... PART V THE REAL PROBLEMS OP AMERICANIZATION 120. Qualities of American government. In an address delivered before the Daughters of the American Revolution, President Wilson expressed the feeling of joy that "we belong to a country in which the whole business of government is so difficult." Our government is "a universal communication of conviction, the most subtle, delicate and difficult of processes" in which, however, there is not to be found a single opinion that is not of some consequence to the grand total; "to be in the great co-operative effort is the most stimulating thing in the world." These points of emphasis--the difficulty, the stimulating qualities, the companionable efforts--are all the more applicable in these days of new parts in the great co-operative effort of democracy. The present tasks of citizenship, which, after all, are the real tasks of Americanization, challenge the American woman to her contributions of new forces to the constant creation of the ideals of America. There is, too, another quality, constantly emphasized in the previous pages of this manual, which is necessary to the achievement of genuine Americanization. Here, again, the expression of President Wilson gives true emphasis: "For it seems to me," he says, "that the peculiarity of patriotism in America is that it is not a mere sentiment. It is an active principle of conduct." 121. The spirit of American institutions. The spirit of Americanization is the spirit of America in its truest ideals. This spirit must be within us, interpreted and enacted in the principles of citizenship and service, before it can be transferred to new-coming citizens. The expensive paid worker who tells the foreign-born unfortunate that he should be thankful for whatever condition he finds in ...