101 years ago. And isn't this just as true today?

Question

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Answer 1

Anyone that thinks that border security in not important, should ask an American Indian.

Answer 2

Absolutely. Bigoted intolerance and hate such as you quoted being spewed out by TR was just as disgusting and reprehensible then as it sis today And just as much a distortion and lie ont he part of a known bigot then as the same filth is today.

Answer 3

Well I was with all of that up until language.... you can't dictate what language people use...without directly going against the 1st amendment.  Freedom of speech.  The immigration act of 1917 decreed that immigrants be required to read and write in their native language.  There is no legal requirement to speak or learn english for entry into this country...nor should there be.

http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/immiac...

The Immigration Service took form during an unprecedented rise in immigration to the United States. While Congress continued to strengthen national immigration law with acts such as the Immigration Act of 1907, a Presidential Commission investigated the causes of massive emigration out of Southern and Eastern Europe and a Congressional Commission studied conditions among immigrants in the United States. These commission reports influenced the writing and passage of the Immigration Act of 1917, which, among other provisions, required that immigrants be able to read and write in their native language. The Immigration Service then began administering literacy tests.  

Answer 4

Yes it is. Some truths are universal and timeless. This is one of them.  

Answer 5

Teddy was the best president ever!

His Cousin stole all of his ideas that he couldn't get through congress.

That quote is exactly what the country needs to remember.

when people ask me my nationality, I say I am an American, so were my parents and my grandparents for two generations on my dad's side.

My mother's side left Germany after WWI.

I hate when people say Italian-American, Irish-American, African-American, or any other Mix.

You are either an American or not.

Answer 6

Teddy Roosevelt, keepin it real... posthumously.

Answer 7

Like it or not we have been economically dragged into the world market.  In this arena, national identity is not worth anything and is considered a liability.  China experienced the same sentiment before they opened themselves up to trade with other countries and now consume large portions of our raw materials (which we profit greatly from).  Here's a perfect example: now that China is hosting the Olympics, they have removed dog from the menu and sacrificed much of their identity to appeal to Westerners.  In addition, they have spent millions improving their air quality and redirecting congested traffic around the sports arena (Bird's Nest Arena).

Sadly, if America ever had a "soul" it has been traded in for a new pair of Nike's.  Just as China's "soul" is being traded in for a pair of golden arches.  In the larger picture, our own materialism and greed is to blame for what our country has become.  

Those who refuse to play will simply be shut out of the game.  Our economy would collapse within a month if we forced others to assimilate to our customs and were seen as Isolationists.  We have to maintain a "celebrity status" in the minds of other nations and right now we are not well liked, this is in part due to the very same notion that you are putting forth.

I'm not saying that you are wrong at all, I totally agree with you and think that the direction corporations have led us in is absolutely horrific.  But I also know where our noses are now directed, looking back at this point is fruitless.

Answer 8

to bad this perspective was lost along the way  

Answer 9

AMEN!!!

Answer 10

Yes. The problem with history is that people forget it.

Answer 11

nice quote

actually there are a lot of similarities between what is happening now and what happened then.  A lot of parallels bewteen the 1908 election and 2008 election.  when you consider what a monster woodrow wilson turned out to be it is kind of scary.

Answer 12

I agree and disagree. If u come to this country please learn english and learn to spell ur name. But u have to understand america is built on immigration so we shouldnt be so harsh about them especially when the come here for a better life. They shouldnt have to forget where they originally came from. They can have america pride and also pride for their home land.

Answer 13

do i have to read it awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww