tition is given to the court clerk before the petitioner (the one asking for citizenship) may appear before the judge for final action on his petition. He is sent a notice stating on what day he must appear in court, as naturalization dates are fixed by the judge. The petitioner himself must appear before the judge with his witnesses, unless such witnesses are told by the naturalization examiner that they do not have to come again. If the judge in court is satisfied that the petitioner is well fitted for naturalization, the petitioner takes the oath to give up all foreign allegiance and thereafter to give his allegiance to the United States. The judge then signs the order granting naturalization, and the new citizen is then given a certificate of naturalization. This is the official paper which shows that the applicant is now a citizen of his new nation, the country of his choice.

As a new citizen, the foreign-born person shares with persons born in the United States the rights of American citizenship. By his oath of allegiance to his new country he agrees to take up all the duties of a faithful citizen. The oath he takes is as follows:

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion: So help me God. In acknowledgment whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

THINGS TO DO

Questions to discuss in your study group:

1. Name two groups of which you are a member. Can everyone join these groups? If not, what are the

qualifications of membership? Do you approve of these qualifications?

2. Do you think there should be qualifications for persons who want to join a group of dentists? Surgeons? Bankers? Why?

3. Would our lives be in danger if there were no qualifications for membership in a nurses' group? Group of druggists? Group of lifeguards? Group of police?

4. Name two qualifications you would like the members of these groups to have:

1. Traffic policemen.

2. Drivers of milk wagons.

3. Grocery store clerks.

5. To whom does the Constitution give the power to make a rule of naturalization? Why do you suppose this power was not given to each of the 48 States?

6. Only well qualified persons can become citizens of our country by naturalization. Why?

7. Why should our citizens by naturalization be attached to the principles of our Constitution?

8. Why do you wish to become a citizen of the United States?

Complete each of these:

1. Four things to which every applicant for naturalization in the United States must swear or give proof are:

2. Three steps which the foreign-born person must take in the process of naturalization are:

2.

3____

3. If you are going to become a naturalized citizen, what are three points to which your witnesses must swear in court?

4. Study the oath of allegiance to the United States which a person takes when he is naturalized. Name at least three things which he promises when he takes this oath.

Some more words which the student should understand:

abjure-declare under oath against a thing.

acknowledgment—a true statement.

admitted-permitted to enter or join.

affix my signature-sign my name.

alien-a person who is not a citizen of a country.

allegiance the duty of faithfulness which a person owes to his country.

amendment-a change in, or an addition to, a constitution or law. anarchists-persons who are against all organized government. applicant a person asking for something.

attached devoted or loyal to.

certificate—an official statement in writing or print telling some important fact.

Congress, the the national group of lawmakers in the United States, elected by the people.

Constitution of the United States-set of general rules and principles of government on which the whole National Government of the United States is built up.

declaration of intention-a "first paper," the sworn statement of an alien that he intends to become a citizen. declare-state.

defend protect from danger.

definite-clearly known.

democracy-a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

domestic-at home.

duty-that which a person ought to do.

elected-chosen by the votes of members of a group.

enemies-those working against something.

evasion-a tricky way of hiding the truth.

examination—a way of testing somebody's fitness by asking questions.

examiner a person whose job is to test the fitness of another person by asking questions.

fidelity-faithfulness, loyalty. final-the last.

good moral character-qualities which result in good conductusually honesty and respect for the rights of others.

immigrant-a person who comes to a new country to make his home.

immigration-the entering into a country, for home-making purposes, of people from other countries.

jurisdiction-the lawful power of a government over its people and their property.

loyal-faithful.

mental reservation-some thought which you hide in your mind and do not tell anyone.

naturalization-the way in which foreign-born persons are given citizenship.

obligation-something we owe or must do.

official-issued by the Government.

person of African descent-a person whose parents or grandparents, etc., were of the African race.

petition a written application.

polygamists-persons who have more than one wife or husband at the same time.

potentate-one having great power, as the ruler of a country.

president-the chosen chief officer of a group.

principles-general rules or true beliefs which can be used as a foundation for other rules or plans.

process-way of doing a thing.

qualifications-tests of fitness.

qualify-prove that a person or thing is fit for a given purpose. renounce-declare against, or disown.

reside-live.

sovereignty-a kingdom or very powerful state.

support-uphold.

avitnesses-persons brought before a judge or government officer to tell what they have seen or heard or know about something.