CEREMONIES OF INITIATION
There is a growing movement in favor of having public ceremonies of “initiation,” in which the whole community is represented, to welcome the new citizens; to impress upon both the newcomers and the people to whose fellowship they are being welcomed, the importance and solemnity of the occasion. An increasing number of judges are carrying out this idea in their naturalization proceedings; adding to the formalities required by the law a speech either by the judge himself or by some representative citizen, or both, in which the momentous significance of the act in which the alien and the court have joined is emphasized. Some judges make a practice of giving to each new citizen a small flag, a special certificate, a leaflet or brochure setting forth the sentiments appropriate to the occasion. Much more common is it becoming for public-spirited citizens to organize a meeting of the same import. Here, for example, is the program of such a meeting, held in the Music Hall at Fall River, Massachusetts, on May 7, 1919, following a naturalization session of the local court, designated as “Reception and Welcome to Fall River’s Newly Naturalized Citizens”:
PROGRAM
Hon. Henry F. Nickerson, Presiding
| Music | Orchestra |
| Singing—“America” | Audience |
| Address of Welcome | Hon. Henry F. Nickerson |
| Response by a naturalized citizen | James B. Kerr |
| Selection | Orchestra |
| Address | Rev. Everett C. Herrick |
| Pledge of Allegiance—Led by Boy Scouts: | |
“I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the | |
| Presentation of Certificates of Naturalization | |
| M. B. Irish, Sec. Fall River Immigrant Committee | |
| Prayer | Rev. Vincent Marchildon |
| Singing—“Star-spangled Banner” | Audience |
| Informal Reception | |
Here is another program—of the “Americanization Meeting in honor of those who were admitted to citizenship April 19, 21, 22, 1920,” held in the Union High School at Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 30, 1920, under the auspices of the Grand Rapids Board of Education and the Americanization Society:
PROGRAM
Henry E. Crow, President of the Board of Education,
Presiding