Have you seen this?

Question

President Teddy Roosevelt's 1919 quote:

"We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does, in good faith, become an American and assimilates himself to us. He shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin.

But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American.

There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty and that is loyalty to the American people."

Amen and Amen !!

I didn't post the source before because there wasn't room and I didn't have time until now to do so (but it isn't hard to find :)

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/r/roosevelt-immigration.htm
and
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_roosevelt_on_immigrants.htm

WritingMomma ~ You and many others have missed the whole point. No one expects anyone to blend in immediately and I resent being treated as one who is unreasonable. I have no problem with anyone coming to the country as long as they obey the laws just like I am expected to. I think the hatemongers are wrong because they should get the facts before passing judgment~and we ALL have a right to pass judgment but we should be fair and reasonable. The borders have been proven to be a HUGE problem but yes, those who overstay their Visas are just as wrong. I understand where you are coming from but I resent anyone defending the illegal immigrants when they are the ones breaking the laws. I am a citizen of this country and I have a right to say they are wrong and that is NOT discrimination, that is FACT.

Several years ago I read about a man who came through Ellis Island and moved here from Germany. He was awed by this beautiful country and the opportunities here. He got a job and worked hard to save money so he could send it back to his brother for his passage here. This took a few years so while the guy was working, he was also learning the English language. When his brother finally arrived, he greeted him and took him in his home. Family and friends worked to teach him the language but he kept reverting back to German. One day his brother told him "Be proud of your heritage but now you are in America and if you are going to live here and become a citizen, you need to learn to speak English and be proud of being an American". And he did.

We are an English speaking country. If you want to live in America, learn the language but by all means, remember your heritage and be proud of where your ancestors came from. I would never dream of going elsewhere and make demands.

If you are talking about this supposed quote by Robin Williams, it isn't his statement. I think he is one of the lowest, filthy mouthed people I have ever seen. He has great talent but he spoils it with his dirty mouth, his sick jokes and his lifestyle. I would never vote for him as he would not make a good leader IMHO.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/r/robinwilliamspeaceplan.htm
Sebastian ~ I don't agree with your "white" comment and think it's very shallow and bigoted of you. Apparently you aren't hanging out with the same white people I am.

People are missing the point. It doesn't matter if they are hispanic or Chinese or Puerto Rican or whatever, if they came in without a VISA or they overstayed their VISA, they are ILLEGAL !!! Why is THAT so hard to grasp?

Answer 1

I have found it extremely interesting that the Senators, and Congress members who received a copy of this Theodore Roosevelt statement or his 1917 statement. were pretty frustrated with regards to addressing those statements. Meaning I think it made them feel like the traitors they were behaving as.

Reference -

Speech from Theodore Roosevelt.

"From the melting pot of life in this free land all men and woman of all nations who come hither emerge as Americans and nothing else. They must have renounced completely and without reserve all allegiance to the land from which they or their forefathers came. And it is a binding duty on every citizen of this country in every important crisis to act solidly with all his fellow Americans, having regard only to the honor and interest of America, treating every other nation purely on its conduct in that crisis, without reference to his ancestral predilections or antipathies. If he does not act, he is false to the teachings and lives of Washington and Lincoln; he is not entitled to any part or lot in our country and he should be sent out of it." (Theodore Roosevelt, "The Children of the Crucible" New York, Sept. 9, 1917)

Answer 2

LOVE IT!! More people on here should read it. Everyone is so filled with hate and ready to throw everyone out who hasn't assimilated here. The hard part is if immigrants don't look American they don't want them here. That is a big issue! We need to listen to wise words of wisdom and remember these things have happened in the past as in 1930's Repatriation Act when many people were illegally deported of course Mexicans not just because they were illegal but because they looked Mexican. More than 60% were deported illegally because they were American Citizens!!

We need to learn from the past and not repeat it. This is what it seems like people are asking for... a repeat of what Hoover, one of the worst presidents did!

One star from me missy...

Answer 3

I too like this quote. My ancestors were immigrants as most of yours were also. I have histories of them and they didn't immediately start speaking English. In fact my maternal grandmother said when she married and moved to Bear River City she couldn't understand a word they said because they all spoke Danish. I still remember my paternal grandmother speaking Danish to her sister. I couldnt understand a word of it, but I was proud of her for that.
Today not one of their progenitors speaks Danish, we all speak English. They became citizens and they tried, but they kept with them that which was good of their own culture. My point, They didn't become assimilated overnight. You don't immediately start speaking a new language just because you move to a new country.Give the immigrants who come to this country a little slack.
The problem with the illegal immigrant debate as I see it, is it has become an accepted way to spew out hateful discrimination to people who do not look like us.
It seems that everyone is mad at the whole Hispanic population for being illegal immigrants even though the hispanics that I know ARE legal citizens.
My son-in-law is third generation American and he looks very hispanic they speak English and he never learned Spanish until he was an adult,. He has many people spew their prejudice and hate out towards him just because his skin is brown!!!

Did you know that the majority of illegal immigrants do not come here over the Arizona Mexico boarder where they are building the fence? No the majority of illegal immigrants came here with a legal visa and then over stayed their visa. Instead of going after those people who over stay their visas, we want to go to the border because then we can use our an accepted way to spew out hatred for people who do not look like us.
Sorry, but I am so tired of people using the illegal immigrant debate as a form of discrimination

Answer 4

I might so much pick to peer the well and support others to do the equal. This does come from how i see the sector i suppose. Even the darkest stormy days constitute an fascinating sky to be captured in a portray. Cold days imply snuggling up in entrance of a snug hearth. Mistakes in our lives offers us a risk to giggle at ourselves and likewise to study a priceless lesson or ten. If you keep in mind of nature, there's constantly whatever modern-day every day to be loved, from the smallest bud of a flower establishing to the final petals losing on a rose that has shared it is cosmetic. There are such a lot of extra exotic matters than there are unhealthy, however i suppose all of it relies on what your eyes see. :-)

Answer 5

Well we have a problem with illegal immigration and assimilation here in the U.K. too and it is very much a modern phenomenon - immigrants to this country in the past *did* on the whole assimilate and were therefore welcome.
That speech could apply as well here and it sums up what most people think.
Thank you for posting - I'll follow events on both sides of the Atlantic and hope things improve.
P.S. Would I get a green card as a "supernanny" (ha ha)?

Answer 6

We all know how funny actor Robin Williams can be, but at the following site, he has a plan for solving (or closing in on it anyway) the problem with illegal immigration:
www.angelfire.com/psy/metroidprime/robinwilliamsplan

He makes a lot of sense. The first thing I said to myself after reading it in an email from a friend of mine is "I'd vote for him. ROBIN WILLIAMS FOR PRESIDENT, 2008!!!!!!" Jan51601

Answer 7

It's crazy how we've gone from Teddy Roosevelt to G.W.Bush? Roosevelt was shot durring a speech and said it's going to take more than a bullet to keep me from finishing my speech and continued while bush can't even speak proper English

Answer 8

Those were the days when it was better to be a citizen than an illegal alien. I still think jury duty stinks too, esp. when almost eveyone lately has been against an illegal alien actions.

Answer 9

Teddy was a smart man. I agree with what he says. The problem is that whites in this country don't care if you assimilate or not. They only care what you look like. Mexicans get the shaft even when they are citizens....it's a nice idea, though.

Answer 10

I loved this quote!! He made alot of sense with what he said, it's a shame most people don't brush up on their history and look at what people like Pres. Roosevelt did. Thanks alot!!