Eleanor Ledbetter

“ Side by side with the dramatic society is the musical organization. The devotion of the Czech to music is well known. A newspaper squib attributed to Bohemian men a double life,—tailors by day and musicians by night. Every Czech child takes music lessons: little girls have piano lessons first, often followed by some other instrument, while boys usually start with the violin, and often take up wind instruments also. This is considered just as necessary as any other part of their education, and it is often the means of assisting their way through college and professional schools. ”

“ The Czech who comes to America comes with the determination to adjust himself to American conditions just as soon as possible and he knows what to expect better than the immigrants of races newer to this country. In Cleveland he seeks out the classes for beginners in English and soon, if he has any kind of a teacher, masters enough of the language for practical purposes at least. He brought his family with him when he came, burning all bridges behind him, and he buys a home at the earliest possible moment and identifies himself also as an American citizen. ”

“ Those who have had long experience in the work of Americanization testify that if Americans in general would more readily recognize the value of what the immigrant brings to us it would be much easier to teach that immigrant the culture of America. Sympathy begets sympathy and a generous appreciation of the value of the newcomer is the best way to make him feel at home. And so in order to give to the native born citizens of Cleveland a knowledge of their foreign born neighbors a serics of booklets has been prepared and published. ”

“ And so the Czechs of Cleveland even before they left their native land were united with America in that aspiration for the right of self-expression which after all is the best and most precious American heritage. As Americans, the Czechs have been worthy of all the opportunities which they found in their adopted home. Their story should make every American a better and more generous citizen. ”

“ To the surprise of all, the flowers restore her, even as they had restored the mother; the gold makes the future look fairer, and the final tableau indicates the happiness which comes from family love and unselfish devotion. It is no doubt in part this childhood training which enables the adult Czech to appear in public entirely without self consciousness. ”

“ The system of the Roman Catholic church promotes solidarity of races, the young people being held to the parish allegiance of their parents. As the older people disappear from the congregations the churches will necessarily come to be entirely English speaking, but the change comes slowly. Among the Protestants, on the contrary, no effort is made to hold the second generation to the Bohemian language, and their young people choose their church affiliations out of the whole range of city opportunities. ”

“ It is unfortunately true that in spite of all effort on the part of parents and teachers, comparatively few young people are growing up to read the Czech language. Many speak it because of the presence in the home of grandparents who have never learned English, but they throw away their opportunity to know its fine literature and associations. ”

“ In occupation the Bohemian of Cleveland is in general the skilled workman. There are many tailors, although not so large a proportion as formerly, many of the women also working in the garment trades. There are many skilled workers in shops and trades of every kind. Two unions of carpenters and one of bakers, and an “Educational Club of Czech Foundrymen” compose the list of labor unions which are distinguished as Czech, but of course the large number belong to unions in which there is no distinction of nationality. ”

“ Other advertisements are those of the entertainments of societies and lodges. During the summer picnics to country farms and groves are the principal thing, but from October to June musical and dramatic entertainments hold the field. A single issue of a paper has contained announcements of fifteen different dramatic performances to be staged within a space of two weeks in the various Czech centers of the city.
The general character of the Bohemian newspapers of Cleveland is excellent. They co-operate in all public movements and their devotion to the cause of freedom is a passionate one. ”