life and has been least influenced by American customs. Our
immigrants upon changing their foreign languages, customs, beliefs and
ideals upon becoming "Americanized," deteriorate profoundly in moral
character; deteriorate to a degree that shows itself in the criminal
statistics.

It is very fortunate for the moral welfare of millions of our foreign
population that the present furore for "Americanization" is destined to
fail in its object. Its failure is in its own nature. The fundamental
social virtues, honesty, industry, thrift, truthfulness and the rest,
are the same for all societies on the same general level of
development. They are not promoted by the custom of saluting any
particular flag nor advanced by the ability to read any particular
Constitution.

The very complete and profound change of character implied by the
phrase: "The Americanization of the Foreigner" can be wisely and safely
accomplished only if spread out over at least three generations, while
four or five would be better. Every year less than three generations,
that the progress is hastened, means moral and spiritual breakdown for
thousands--means domestic tragedy and congested criminal calendars.
There is only one foreigner who is really a menace to American society.
He is the foreigner who is in rapid process of "Americanization." The
danger point is the foreign-born child and the American-born child of
foreign parents.

The danger from these classes is real and serious, perhaps the most
serious presented in the whole range of immigration questions. Here
again we have very reliable statistics which leave no room for
reasonable doubt. America needs protection, needs it urgently, against
the foreigner of the second generation, particularly against the
youthful foreigner who goes through our Public school system. The
father who stubbornly refuses to learn English or to adopt American
ways is commonly a man of admirable moral character. The son, often
quite as American as young men of our old stock, is equally commonly a
youth of vicious and unprincipled character.

Public opinion in this matter is grievously at fault. There is danger
to American institutions, and that danger is real, but it is just the
opposite of what is popularly feared. The danger lies precisely in the
process of Americanization itself, particularly in the endeavor to
hasten that process. If, as is commonly maintained, the present need
in America is peace and