CHAPTER VIII 



AMALGAMATING OUR FOREIGN 

 BORN 



OUR population of foreign birth is a 

 frequent topic of remark. People 

 dwell on the number of foreigners joining 

 us yearly, on the competition they offer to 

 natives of America, and on the undesirable 

 character of many among them. Most who 

 discuss the subject seem to concern them- 

 selves little with foreigners' slow progress 

 after they enter our gates, it being assumed 

 either that foreigners once domiciled are 

 sure to become well Americanized in time, 

 or that, if not, nothing can be done to speed 

 the process. Little thought is given to the 

 danger that parts of our country may con- 

 tinue a very long time unhealthily foreign. 

 Most immigrants from the north and the 

 northwest of Europe and from Canada are 

 quickly assimilated. French Canadians 

 and people from the Latin races, also Bohe- 

 mians and Poles, are more backward ; Hun- 



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