Here is what Teddy Roosevelt said about immigration

[madokie]

Teddy on immigrants

Amen to this! 99 years later. What a visionary was
that 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
edited to clarify heading.

[ClintonTyree]

1. Sage advice......

but OH BOY! :popcorn:

[madokie]

2. Not looking for flames, 'cause my suit is at the cleaners

[dogday]

3. Here I will lend you mine

[madokie]

4. Thanks, I hope I don't need it though.

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. So Teddy Roosevelt was a nativist?

And we should care about that why?

[1932]

6. TR's imperialim got the ball rolling on the huge disparity in wealth

between the US and the developing world which made immigration to the US one of the few ways to escape deprivation at home and have a chance at making some money off the exploitation of your nation's land and labor.

[ClintonTyree]

7. Oh boloney...........

that imperialistic ball was rolling long before TR came into power. The robber barons existed long before TR.... Morgan, Vanderbilt et al. were utilizing poor immigrants for quite some time. Roosevelt was the originator of the immigrant reform movement in NYC in the late 1800's and took the same ideas to Washington with him. Tr did much to help the plight of poor immigrants.

[90-percent]

8. TR?

Didn't he also do many heroic things to make things more equitable with regard to robber baron economics?

Didn't he place some checks on the abuses of the super rich towards working people?

Didn't he work to make America a little bit more EQUAL?

-85% Jimmy

[Sleepless In NY]

9. And didnt he also say

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only Unpatriotic and Serville, but its Morally Treasonable to the American People"... President Theodore Roosevelt


I agree with Teddy on both counts.

[rsdsharp]

16. Exactly

The far right loves the first quote, but isn't too happy about the second. When they try to argue that it shouldn't apply in "time of war," I point out that the quote comes from an OP ED piece TR wrote for the Kansas City Star in May 1918 -- right in the middle of the US involvement in WW I. At the time he had four sons in the military, and his youngest, Quentin, was already in combat and would be killed in about two months.

Here's the larger quote:

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."

"Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star", 149
May 7, 1918

[ClintonTyree]

11. Yes, he did........

which was the point I was trying to make. Anyone who thinks TR was a pawn of the rich is sadly mistaken.

[Captain Hilts]

12. Yes, TR did go after the robber barons.

And he's right on the English language. It is specifically because we are so diverse that we need one language to tie us together.

He would not be a Republican today.

Also: he HATED being called 'Teddy'. He was 'Ted', 'Theodore' or 'Tee'. Eleanor Roosevelt always refered to him as 'Uncle Ted', or 'Tee'.

[1932]

10. 1898 was the year things really changed. McKinley was the one. But TR

really helped when he became president.

[AzDar]

14. TR was the original Trust-Buster , a Conservationist, and a damned

fine American President, party notwithstanding.
He was also RIGHT ON THE MONEY regarding immigration, as per the OP.

[1932]

21. Mark Twain was a brilliant writer, a damned fine American, and he was

right in his criticism of American empire and TR.

[AzDar]

24. You are correct... Mr. Clemens proudly mocked most politicians

of his time,and rightfully so.
Does this somehow negate my previous statement?

[aquart]

13. I agree.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. Teddy was a racist who believed in "Anglo-Saxon" superiority.

Just one incident of "progressive" Teddy's reign.

# The Brownsville Incident.
In the summer of 1906, the first battalion of the 25th Infantry regiment, all blacks, was transferred from Nebraska to Fort Brown near Brownsville, Texas. Despite a splendid record in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection, the African-American soldiers were not welcomed into their new community. Many white residents of the south Texas community were fearful that the newly arrived blacks might ally with the large Mexican-American community and upset the carefully maintained racial balance. Letters were sent to Washington asking for the removal of the soldiers, but all such appeals were turned down.

In the early morning hours of August 14, a melee broke out near the fort and shots were fired. Casualties included a dead bartender and a seriously wounded policeman. Brownsville citizens immediately stepped forward and blamed the soldiers, some claiming to have actually seen the soldiers firing shots and others asserting that they heard black voices during the skirmish. On the strength of these allegations, plus the finding of several discarded army rifles and shell casings, 12 members of the 25th were imprisoned. In short order, two cursory investigations were held, neither of which presented any formal charges. No trial was held and the soldiers were never able to confront their accusers.

Following the incident, the soldiers were assembled and those who had participated in the riots were ordered to stand forward; none did. The soldiers were then ordered to inform on those others in the ranks who had taken part in the riot; none spoke. On the basis of this lack of cooperation, charges of insubordination were prepared. Not only were the 12 originally arrested recommended for discharge “without honor,” but the other 155 black soldiers, as well.

President Roosevelt, hoping for black support at the polls, waited until after the Congressional election before signing all 167 discharges. All were removed from service, denied any back pay owing and had their pensions cancelled. Scores of lives were ruined.

It was evident from the beginning that the charges were dubious. A commanding officer reported that all soldiers had been accounted for in their barracks several hours before the shooting erupted. Other officers and clergymen vouched for the character of the men. Many were longtime enlistees, a few were close to retirement and six were Medal of Honor recipients.

Most of black America was outraged, but lacked the power to reverse matters. Among the white politicians, only Senator Joseph Foraker of Ohio attempted to introduce legislation that would have allowed the reenlistment of the soldiers; his efforts were thwarted and Roosevelt regarded him as an enemy.

It became clear in later years that the townspeople of Brownsville had framed the soldiers, reflecting a fear of black men in uniform that had its roots in Reconstruction days. It was not until 1972 that Richard Nixon signed a bill correcting the records of the 25th Regiment to read “honorable discharge.” A small payment of $25,000 was made to the sole survivor.

The Brownsville incident was in the eyes of many the low point of the Theodore Roosevelt administration.

[pansypoo53219]

17. i found that essay

in a old government book i picked up at an estate sale. also said the constitution was based on the MAGNA CARTA, not the bible.
i think it was published in 1912 or so.

[Bridget Burke]

18. He didn't say that in 1907....

But in 1919, just before his death. His words reflect the xenophobia caused by WWI. You know, the Red Scare.

www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/troosevelt.asp

It's been quite a while since we were at war with Mexico--so that flag is not "any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile." This excerpt from a longer letter is quite popular in Right Wing sites. They leave out important bits & get the date wrong, just as you did.

[alcibiades_mystery]

20. Excellent context

The intellectual dishonesty is amazing, really. As is the grasp of this very reactionary period in American history. Well done.

[alcibiades_mystery]

19. I like the fact that when I walk around NYC

I hear 1,001 languages, see 1,001 customs on display, eat at 1,001 ethnic restaurants, engage with 1,001 different kinds of people. Assimilation is always a power-move, the more powerful attempting to normalize the less powerful for their value systems. "...in every facet an American, and nothing but an American"? In every facet? Nothing but? No thank you, Mr. Roosevelt. What a terrifying vision of sameness lurks beneath your platitudes.

Here's to the the Sikhs, with their turbans on display, to the Greeks, making money here to return to Greece eventually, cooking up gyro meat beneath the rumbling N train, to the Vietnamese and Chinese, their signs in their languages making Main Street Flushing beautiful, to Puerto Ricans and Domicans and Hondurans and Guatemalens and El Salvadorans playing dominoes on milk crates, to the Brazilians flying their flags out of cars at World Cup time, to the Italians, who say "basta con le chiacchere" when they hear such nonsense, yes on these streets, to the illegal Irish immigrants working the bar scene in Sunnyside or sandblasting the bridges for $75 a day, to the Indians in Jackson Heights, to the Afghans flinging flatbreads, to the Moroccans, and Turks, and Palestinians, to my man Mohammed at New Star Tobacco, 5th Avenue Brooklyn, getting down to pray among the boxes of Oreos, here's to the Russians and their vodka tea rooms, to the Poles, to the Albanians on Gunn Hill Road, to the West Indians running their parade down Eastern Parkway, alive with flavor.

In every facet, Mr. Roosevelt? No thanks you. Nothing but, Mr. Roosevelt? No thank you. There's more life here than that. More life here than that.

[Captain Hilts]

26. TR's not saying not to speak your native language...

He's saying learn English so that you can take full opportunity of being in the US and being an active -rather than an isolated - part of the country.

Imagine how much better off economically and politically Hispanics in this country would be if they were able to speak English.

[Bridget Burke]

29. Quite a few "Hispanics" CAN speak English.

In fact, many were born here. Alas, some can't even speak Spanish.

ESL languages fill up pretty quickly in Houston. And the next generation should learn English in school. (Let's hope some of our "English-only" kids can improve their skills, too.)

[Captain Hilts]

36. Yes, a large number DO speak English, but...

A lot don't learn it. Folks coming from countries where languages have a completely different alphabet have better track records on learning English.

I know economics plays a role, but when I see a large 'Men' or 'Women' sign in English and Spanish, I wonder if we are accommodating Spanish speakers too much. When I was in Russia and Turkey, you can bet the first two words I learned were 'men' and 'women' in Russian and Turkish!

[Bridget Burke]

44. Do you have any statistics on "track records" for learning English?

Or did you invent that "fact" while gazing with distress upon a sign saying "LADIES / DAMAS"? Please be careful--folks might get the wrong idea about someone lurking outside restrooms.

[Solon]

50. You think that because of BATHROOM SIGNS...

what type of complaint is that? Seriously, think about this LOGICALLY for once, Latinos are the largest minority in this country, and Spanish is a COMMON language in many areas of the country as well. Given this, its called COMMON SENSE to actually label the bathrooms that way.

[Captain Hilts]

54. Actually, I wasn't referring to bathroom signs....

but to what I saw at Sears. But,yes, folks should recognize 'men' and 'women' and 'danger' in the language of whatever country they're in. I don't think that's a sign of nativism. I LOVED the multiculturalism of Toronto.

I live in an area with a lot of Chinese immigrants. Some in my building are new to this country, so I speak slowly. Signs in our apt. complex in Spanish don't help them much. Nor the Russians. Or Koreans.

One really interesting aspect of multiculturalism that I mentioned to someone the other day was that last season at the football games in Washington, there sat in the endzone three men who appeared to be from India who wore burgundy turbans to every game. They must have season tickets because they seemed to be at every game. That's so cool. But, yes, I hope they still play cricket.

[madokie]

33. The most beautiful thing I have ever heard is Amazing Grace sung

in the Cherokee Language. most beautiful

[Captain Hilts]

35. Amazing Grace in Cherokee. That's cool! nt

[madokie]

51. At our church when I was growing up we had a most wonderful

older Cherokee couple who would from time to time sing it for us. Makes me tear up thinking about it, how we all didn't see any difference in any of our neighbors irregardless of the color of their skin. In that respect I have been so blessed.

[alcibiades_mystery]

49. No, he's not saying that

And any reading of the quotation in context would show you that. EVERY FACET. NOTHING BUT. What part of TR's nativism is a mystery to you?

[Marie26]

22. You realize that

this is eugenist, racist stuff, right? Just checking.

[NNN0LHI]

23. A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/theodore_roosevelt.html

A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.
Theodore Roosevelt

Old Teddy was one bright fellow wasn't he?

[Bridget Burke]

25. ...Said the Harvard graduate.

Even with his TR's blind spots (as exhibited in the excerpt loved by the Right Wingers & in the one you found) he still had a few good points. Like Conservation & Trust Busting.

Today's Republicans generally fail to have ANY good points.

[Igel]

27. It's a valid viewpoint, although I think I'd generalize it a bit more.

We used to neatly distinguish between wise, smart, intelligent, and having character (with the opposites being, more or less, foolish, stupid, dumb, and spoiled). One can be wise but spoiled, smart but dumb, intelligent but foolish.

The distinctions were sometimes nice and sometimes a bit too clever, but are clear enough. Some people value wise and having character over smart and intelligent (they tend to pair). It's a valid choice.

I'd rather have a stupid wife who possessed character than a brilliant wife with no character.

[ComerPerro]

28. So, "Speak English or get out!"

right?

[madokie]

30. not at all, learn the english language though. so you can more better

conduct business, work more productively etc.

[ComerPerro]

31. I know, but this reads like

"you must assimilate".

Which, I agree with, but the wording looks like it could be just as embraced by the radical right.

It could be read to say "I don't have a problem with immigrants as long as they look, think, and act like us"

[madokie]

32. anyways

[ComerPerro]

34. lol

lets just say, I know a lot of racists and xenophobes and racists. You know, Conservatives.

So I am pretty familiar with how they think.

And they try to disguise their hatred with high-minded BS that sometimes sounds a lot like this.

"Oh, I don't have a problem with immigrants. I just think they should be more like us"...


Oh well...

Maybe I'm oversensitive to that mindset...

[madokie]

39. I say no big deal we all are different, I think you will agree that is

great. Both my parents were immigrants.
Peace.

[ComerPerro]

41. we aren't in disagreement. We just read that passage differently

:hi:

[madokie]

45. I know, actually I'm curious how this is all going to work out for the

illegals. IMHO immigrations is why we are what we are, or were before the crawford coward hit the scene :-)

[Captain Hilts]

46. I'm first generation myself,

though I don't know if England really counts.

I think immigrants are great. Living in Toronto was fantastic.

Washington, DC needs more immigrants and few diplomats.

[madokie]

53. Welcome to the USA

heres to helping us make this a better place for all to live.
:toast:

[Captain Hilts]

38. Would you move to another country ...

to re-create your life in the US? If you lived and worked in Russia, Italy, Brazil, would you live in an enclave of English speakers or would you learn Russian, Italian and Portugese, respectively?

You can't benefit fully from living in the US if you don't speak English.

I have a friend from Uraguay and she's got a problem in that her mother has no one to talk to because Uruguay's language is a hybrid of so many others, only they really can speak it. She's going to call the embassy and see if they have any advice.

[Solon]

42. Actually, yes, most people would...

If there were already established communities that are formed by recent immigrants. US history is basically a history of these communities existing for many generations after the first immigrants came in. In many cities there are still "little Italies", "Chinatowns", etc. Oddly enough, most of these communities sprung up because of the HOSTILITY of Anglo-Americans against these very immigrants that PREVENTED them from integrating with the larger culture. And yes, I prefer the word integration versus assimilation, because assimilation implies force, and being a Star Trek Fan, I don't want to be the Borg.

[ComerPerro]

43. I'd like people to be patient with me while I'm learning, at least

Americans just expect everyone in the world to speak English.

The same people who expect immigrants to fluently speak English haven't even mastered the language themselves, and arrogantly expect people to understand them when they go to other countries speaking only English. I've seen it happen.

[Captain Hilts]

47. No, I don't expect everyone in the world to speak English.

But it sure helps to speak it in the US.

In Russia, I spoke Russian and didn't hang with folks at the Anglo-Am Club and school. I lived in a building that was all Russians. It was great and it helped me better understand the Russian people and better attain the benefits of being there.

Yes, a lot of United Statesians lived in Moscow, never rode the subway and never socialized outside of the Anglo-Am club. Their loss.

[Bridget Burke]

52. Immigrant neighborhoods are always "different"...

People look different, eat different food, speak different languages. Signs are multilingual. It was thus in New York City's Lower East Side & it is thus in Houston's inner city neighborhoods--& some of our suburbs. There are no "enclaves"--there's quite a bit of overlapping. That is, a street will have signs for with Chinese, Thai & Latin American businesses. But the signs are always in English, as well. The parents are learning English as fast as they can. The kids are in school--so they will learn. The grandparents may never learn much. Just as with previous immigrants.

You need to tell your friend's mother that she needs to learn English. Or--she should at least learn standard Spanish. Why should she get special consideration?

[Acebass]

37. Teddy said a lot about immigration...

Did you copy that from my post last week?...

[madokie]

40. No I didn't, sorry. I must have missed your post

[Acebass]

48. I'm heart broken...LOL...

I did a yahoo search on Quotes from Teddy Roosevelt...it came back with some good ones...