We should not fear lest this Pantheon of many nationalistic ideals will turn into a pandemonium. for all the American spirit is big enough to harmonize them all. and if Americanism declines to observe and interpret its characteristic environment. it may achieve certain cultural greatness. it may erect a well equipped gymnasium wherein to engage in dialectical exercises. it may clothe itself in literary and other arts. but it will not accord the illumination or direction of our composite citizenship and complex civilization. These can only come from the spirit that is interested in material realities and courageously face them frankly and sympathetically. I am proud to say that I am a naturalized citizenthat I have taken an oath of allegiance to the U.S.A.-an allegiance to a great body of principles. to a great hope of the human race. I came to America as a boy. not only to earn a living. not only to seek the things difficult to obtain in my native land. but to help forward the great enterprise of the human spirit. It has never seemed difficult for me to define Americanism and having given you the definition of an "American" from the viewpoint of an immigrant of 177 years ago. I shall. with your indulgence. present "Americanism" from the view point of a naturalized immigrant of today. Americanismis to firmly believe in. and honestly practice the principles of government as enunciated in the Declaration of Independence. the preamble of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. that is. a belief in religious freedom. social freedom. industrial freedom. and freedom of the Press. A belief that this freedom is the right of all men because of their rational nature and exists prior to the formation of any government.
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immigrant naturalized