Illiteracy and poverty may be high among the races from southern and eastern Europe. but these are not crimes. In the statistics of alcoholism. insanity. and disease. their racial inferiority does not hold. Considering their opportunities. these immigrants have done. about as well as any other nationalities that have. been here for the same length of time. All these races have brought with them a rich cargo of values. a keen sense of good workmanship. tireless industry. a remarkable sane and Intelligent outlook upon life. a family solidarity. a simplicity of life. and a depth of spirituality that is most commendable. Attempt to grade our aliens! Which race is. to be rated "100 per cent American "? It is a shortsighted view which measures the desirability or undesirability of any group of aliens only by the rapidity or tardiness with which they forget their past spiritual connections and allow- themselves to be rapidly molded into an undeterminate type which is vaguely termed a "100 per cent American." Naturalizing them does not make them Americans. If � had my way all foreigners could not ipso facto become naturalized in five years. The test would not be how quickly lie could get naturalized. but whether lie possessed in his soul the American spirit. What is now required? Learn to read and write the English language. get to a court and become naturalized. and then you are 1.00i per cent American. Mr. President. what group of aliens failed to respond willingly and serve bravely when our country needed them?
Identified stereotypes
Generalizations about the literacy, poverty, alcoholism, insanity, and disease rates of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe.