The Eighth Tribe, 1980 (7. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1980-06-01 / 6. szám
June. 1980 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 3 without the involvement of those who claim to be the leaders of the American Hungarian Community. We never went to Washington, D.C., knocking on the door of the President or the Congress, or the State Governors’ offices. They deemed it worthwhile to take up communication with this magazine. We have never indicated that we can provide legal services, neither have we ever said that this magazine can help people immigrate to America. We can go on and on, listing the requests this magazine receives. All activities connected with this magazine are done by the editor in his spare time, with the help of his family, without any remuneration. Just think what could have been accomplished with your help through the past years. In 1977 the Eighth Tribe Foundation came into existence in a desperate effort to help the Reformed Church leaders and the people find a common ground by saving the Bethlen Home Orphanage building for the American Hungarians. But it was a useless effort — the short-sightedness and stubborness of a few prevailed. But the Eighth Tribe Foundation continued with the aim of establishing a Hungarian Cultural Institute second to none outside Hungary. Those of you who follow the Hungarian weeklies can read about a hot discussion concerning a “Grammar book” from Hungary to teach the Hungarian language. This editor has never read the hook and so cannot make a judgment on it. But the American- Hungarian community does not need a ‘literary masterpiece or a dictionary-like grammar book.’ It needs a book in which everyday sayings and expressions are listed to enable parents to help teach their children, or teach themselves. Following these guidelines, two Text Books were prepared by the Danubian Press and printed by the Bethlen Press under the supervision of Dr. Albert Wass. The Text Books were laid out in advance forms, each book covering more and wider subjects concerning the language and the history of the Hungarian Nation. What happened? The first and second volumes came out, but instead of buying the books, church schools and other Hungarian schools ignored them. Some said the books do not meet the high quality a text book should have. The critics forgot that they are not living in Hungary any longer. What we need is a simple down-to-earth text hook so our children can learn some Hungarian and can converse with their grandparents. This kind of book was greatly missed by a whole generation horn in the United States and Canada. People who bought the first two volumes have asked for the continued series, hut if you cannot sell the already published hooks, you cannot continue with the next ones. Instead of criticizing the hooks, our learned literary persons should have helped the authors. The time is rapidly approaching when this editor has to make a decision regarding the continuation of this magazine and the Eighth Tribe Foundation. These projects have been carried on outside his regular work with the help of his family, hut his age, and primarily his health will require that he curtail, and for a short length of time completely withdraw from all his activities. It was his earnest hope, that when this time came, this magazine and the Eighth Tribe Foundation—with the Hungarian Cultural Institute—could carry on. Qualified persons are ready to take over until the editor can return for limited services, and then together continue the work. However, these people have to be guaranteed a living wage. The past years teach us that there is a need for this magazine and for the Eighth Tribe Foundation to carry on the work designated when the Eighth Tribe Foundation was born. The American Hungarians here in the United States and Canada have to work together without any class distinction, there can be no such thing as ‘who am I? — what am I?’ Ministers, priests, educators, persons in high and low positions have to work together as one body, as a family unit. For only then can we achieve our goal. Following are quotations from two letters from persons born in the United States of Hungarian parents: “Regarding the Eighth Tribe Foundation, on which you asked my opinion, it seems to me that you have, what is considered in my field, to be a political public relations problem. We have a number of Hungarian groups and churches. Each guards its independence; each elects not to get behind a national movement, from what I can discern from the difficulties you are having in getting the Foundation founded. In my judgement, you must enlist the support of the leaders through personal contact and solicitation. If that is not possible, I’m sorry to say, I don’t think the Foundation is possible. The leaders, if converted to your cause, will rally the people. If my study of Hungarian history serves me correctly, the only individuals ever able to do this were Arpad, and Matyas, and a precious few in between.” John A. Sarkett, Chicago, 111. “I am glad to hear the Hungarians are getting active as I am proud to be Hungarian even though I am American of Hungarian descent. Our donation toward the establishment of a Hungarian Cultural Institute in Ligonier, Pa. is enclosed. May it be successful, I pray. Mrs. Ilona Quatro, Grosse Point, Mich. In this issue we welcome a new National (World) Organization into the family of the Eighth Tribe. It is an honor and privilege to welcome the Polish- Hungarian World Federation. Dr. Karl Ripa, president of the P-HWF will join the editorial board and edit the news of their organization. The Polish and the Hungarian Nations lived sideby-side for a thousand years. Many times they shared the same kings. Polish generals and soldiers served and died in the 1848-49 Hungarian Independence War. In the American War of Independence, Gen. Pulaski, a Pole, and Col. Michael Kovats de Fabricy, a Hungarian served together as commanders of the United States Cavalry. Col. Kovats died on the battlefield, giving his life for his new found homeland. !
