Front matter
Reading edition
THE AMERICAN SPIRIT IN THE WRITINGS OF AMERICANS OF FOREIGN BIRTH
The American Spirit in the Writings of Americans of Foreign Birth
SELECTIONS CHOSEN AND EDITED
BY ROBERT E. STAUFFER, A. M., B. L. S.
The Christopher Publishing House Boston, U. S. A.
Copyright 1922 By The Christopher Publishing House
PRINTED IN U. S. A.
To my revered friend and teacher Joseph Lorain Shunk And to my younger friend Henry Praus
The one born in the United States The other in far-away Czecho-Slovakia But in both of whom I have found True and noble manifestations Of the American spirit
Let us judge our immigrants also out of their own mouths, as future generations will be sure to judge them.
Mary Antin.
He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds.... The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions.
Crèvecoeur.
Where the schoolhouse banner flaunts the morning breeze, Where the rough farm student strides amid the wheat, Where the voice of knowledge fills a thousand halls, Where the athletes in their mimic warfare meet; Where the master grasps the brand Of lightning in his hand, And the hidden Powers of Air to service bent Proclaim the issue of the long experiment, I behold the future race Arise in strength and grace; Shall they falter? Shall they fail? Shall they endure? Lo, the onward march is sure. William James Dawson.