Hungarian Studies Newsletter, 1999 (16. évfolyam, 55-57. szám)
1999 / 55-57. szám
Hungarian national holidays, for example March 15th, the celebration of the Struggle for Freedom of 1848, and October 6th, the commemoration day of the thirteen Martyrs of Arad of 1849, were commemorated with great emotion. These celebrations were institutionalized earlier in America, than by the people in the Old Country. The first wave of modernization: 1917-23 America's entrance into World War I and at emergency situation created new pressures for the integration of immigrants. This prepared the ground for reforming the operations of Hungarian associations on a new basis after 1917. Encouraged by the National Fraternal Congress of America, they started to conduct the lifeinsurance activities of the associations on a professional and “statistically sound actuarial basis." It was not easy to make members accept the new payment system and the abolition of egalitarianism. Proposals to this effect sharpened conflicts within the associations, finally leading to a passionate fight between those members who defended the existing state of affairs and those demanding modernization of conditions. At the 1917 General Convention of the Verhovay Association delegates still managed to preserve things as they were in the past concerning payment obligations of members. After prolonged disputes, and frequent changes in leadership, at the 1920 General Convention differentiated membership fees were adopted, although only in a simplified form. Such a partial compromise, however, did not satisfy the ambitious and better-informed members who urged the Americanization of the system and yearned to occupy leadership positions. Hungarian-American newspapers, too, urged and argued for modernization. Furthermore, those demanding reorganization also received decisive support from US authorities. In New York State, for example, the Verhovay Association’s license was withdrawn until it adopted payment according to age. Shortly afterwards, Ohio State followed this example. The new Charter, which was to follow the tables in American Mortuary Experience in determining differentiated membership fees, was adopted at the 1923 General Convention of the Verhovay Association. This was a turning point in its history. The direct effect of this change was the complete reorganization of the Association. This put new and significant burdens on older members although it allowed these members to lower their insurance bracket or to encumber their bonds. Many elderly left the Verhovay Association. Its membership decreased below 20,000 by the middle of the 1920's. From this time on the role of those with formal education or "learned men" - as they were called - rose in the management of the fraternal associations. But holders of the highest posts: presidents and secretaries of associations, were mostly self-made men who started off in the United States as manual workers. They made a career as organizers overcoming a background of poverty as economic refugees. With the widening of the scope of life insurance activities the management of an aid association became a full time job. These posts were also attractive because of the prestige that went with becoming public figures in "Hungarian America”. The leaders of the reorganized "national” aid association had to deal with business as well as social and cultural life. Not all association leaders could successfully serve all three functions. They were strongly dependent on the skills and culture of the actual holders of these posts. Promotion and organization of social and cultural events, maintenance of traditions and ethnic culture continued to be the task primarily of journalists, priests and other William Penn Association (Continued) members with formal education. Leaders of the association provided financial support from the Associations assets for such events and acted as connoisseurs. In the 1920s the Verhovay and other "national” associations emphasized in their bylaws support for and promotion of the Hungarian language and culture. Its leaders protested against the discriminatory immigration laws of the 1920s. Beside the representatives of Hungarian churches and newspapers, the fraternals also took part in a “national assembly” in 1929 in Buffalo and also participated at the "World Congress of Hungarians” held in Budapest. At these forums they expressed their sorrow and grief for the "territorial mutilation” of Hungary, and demanded a peaceful revision of the unjust Trianon Treaty. Emotionally they declared their "devotion to Hungariandom,” spoke about the preservation of their Hungarian spirit, the Hungarian language, and raising the second generation of immigrants to be Hungarians, who would preserve their bonds with their homeland. The Great Depression, the 1930's, and the Second Generation Hungarian immigrants became greatly concerned about unemployment during the Depression of 1929. It destroyed not only many small Hungarian associations but shook the large fraternal aid societies as well. The Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association did not commit itself to a radical political course but supported the reforms of President Roosevelt including social security and the trade union movement. Many local branches of the Verhovay and the Rákóczi Association participated directly in everyday workers' actions and strikes (e.g. the famous Flint, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio strikes). Their members did so side by side with other ethnic groups. Keeping the second generation within the Hungarian community was another problem. By the 1930s, the immigrant generation realized that they had failed to pass on their traditions to the generation born in the United States. Therefore, new ways had to be found to reach these people. Hungarian summer schools were still organized at that time, but in order to attract young people to the Association English speaking branches were also set up. American forms of entertainment and social activities were introduced to an increasing extent. Young people could play popular American sports in Verhovay colours or they could join American scout troops. It was acknowledged in the fraternal associations that the second generation had to be approached through the English language. As one of the leaders of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association put is: “The mission of the Association is to keep coming generations Hungarian in their spirit and feelings to the end of time.” Recognizing that contact with the "old country" was necessary to keep the Hungarian identity of young people alive, recruiting competitions were announced and the winners were awarded a trip to Hungary. In 1936, the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association celebrated the 50th anniversary of its operations. Its president, József Daragó, spoke emotionally about what the older generations expected from their posterity. "The brightness of our Hungarian creation does not fade even in the multitude of American arc lights. Because those who respect and honor the name of their fathers as well as their possessions are the worthy continuation of the 'Hungarian heritage’." During the Second World War loyalty to the new homeland characterized the behavior of the various groups of American Hungarians. However, the way the old country was judged, its (Continued on page 5) 4 NO. 55-57, SPRING/SUMMER/AUTUMN 1999, HUNGARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER
