Quote:
Originally Posted by dga
How about African-Americans? That's okay because it's politically correct? You're telling me that America today is the same as America 1919? (almost 90 years ago!). I'm sure even Teddy would tweak his speech a bit it he were alive and in politics today 
Speaking of which, how did he say this in 1919? He died on January 6th of that year. I guess this was one of his last speeches (just thought that was interesting). |
The reason I thought it was a great quote is because I so wholeheartedly agree with it. My mother's people came here from Minorca (Menorca), Italy and Greece in 1768 to plant Indigo for a Scottish merchant. They were treated very cruelly and kept in servitude well over the contracted time. If it wasn't for the Spanish settlers in Cuba they may have starved physically and spiritually. Also a saint (in my book) of a Spanish priest stayed with them when he could easily have gone to a cushiony job elsewhere.
In 1777 with the Declaration already signed and the Revolution taking hold, the thirteen colonies sent an American consul to the southern border town of St. Augustine, Florida. It was to him these people petitioned regarding their treatment and literal slavery. After the American officials ruled on depositions and accepted the request, the petitioners walked through snake infested swamp carrying their children and what supplies they could to be allowed to camp outside the city gates. Most of their descendants have continued to live locally for all this time.
Not once have I heard any of this group of immigrants refer to themselves as Greek Americans, Italian Americans, or Minorcan Americans when speaking of the past or the present. We all call ourselves Americans and have since
1777.