Jan 3, 1919: Statement by Theodore Roosevelt

Hat tip to Okie Campaigns for calling attention to this historical item:

On this day in 1919, just three days before his death, Theodore Roosevelt wrote in a letter to the American Defense Society:

"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 birthplace 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. 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, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, and American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house; and we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."

---

Tags: English, historical quote, History, immigration, Theodore Roosevelt To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!