They come to a new nation with old habits, and old prejudices, and another language. They are a misfit. They care nothing for the American Republic and her free institutions, only as they will add to their physical comfort and personal aggrandizement. They do not assimilate or become Americanized. Many of them are ignorant and brutish. They huddle together; they are as much foreigners as they were in Hungary or Sicily. They remain foreigners, and they have nothing in common with us except their physical needs. Among them are the vicious and the idle. Our thoroughfares are filled with tramps and beggars. The prisons of our cities are crowded with foreign criminals and paupers. Almost two-thirds of all the criminals and paupers in our large cities are foreign born. Criminals flying from justice; paupers who, from infirmities of body and mind, or from idle and dissolute habits, must be supported,--find a refuge here. Statesmen may well question as to how long this Republic can take into her bosom, and accord all the rights of citizenship to, the criminals and paupers of the world, without danger. But there is danger from our own people. The accumulation of great wealth, without a corresponding increase of brains and culture, is giving us an undesirable aristocracy. They ape the old, effete aristocracies of the Old World. They discount American institutions, and “_adore a title_.” They try to rule business, politics, and social life. But this evil will be overcome. In this country, where there are no entailed estates, death equalizes wealth and power every few years. MEMORIAL DAY. Bow low, fair clouds, and kiss the earth, Where Human Freedom had her birth, Where heroes struggled in the fight, And patriots died for human right. Bow low, and rainbow glories shed Above a nation’s gallant dead; Then bear the news o’er land and sea, Earth’s fettered millions may be free. Fly low, bright birds with painted wings, And join the song a nation sings, A glad, and sacred jubilee, For God has set his people free. Sing of the flag with starry field, Sing of the eagle and the shield, Sing of the victories of Peace, Sing of the time when wars shall cease. Bloom on, sweet flowers, thy perfume shed Above each soldier’s lowly bed; Kind nature’s fairest tribute bring, And clothe each mound with flowers of spring. Look up, with loving, dewy eyes, Into the blue recording skies, And pledge in red, and white, and blue, That May flowers ever will be true. Let all the people gather near, And bow themselves with reverent fear; For God with mighty, outstretched hand Has graciously redeemed our land. Come, Peace, and spread thy sheltering wing; Come, Love, thy sweetest tribute bring; Come, all, and join a sacred lay To celebrate Memorial Day. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.