Fraternity-Testvériség, 1951 (29. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1951-08-01 / 8. szám
TESTVÉRISÉG 5 giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiM I IN PLAIN AMERICAN | A monthly page conducted by Edmund Vasvary Owing to the fact that I announced my trip to Florida and Cuba on these pages, I feel that upon my return a few retrospective remarks would not be inappropriate. It was a very interesting trip, full of new and unusual experiences. The only thing I really did not like was the heat. In Washington during the most unpleasant summer days we always blame the humidity more than the heat itself. Down south it is the other way: no humidity but plenty of terrific heat. The result on the individual, I believe, is exactly the same. I report with sincere regret that I was unable to realize the two main inducements which lured me to the South. In Charleston, S. C. I could not find the burial spot of our Hungarian hero in the Revolutionary War, Colonel Commandant Michael Kowats, who died before Charleston May 11, 1779. Evidently more time must be spent on this project in that beautiful city. Some day in the future I hope to find this opportunity. Neither could I realize my other hope, to stand on the spot in Cuba, where one hundred years ago the filibustering band of Narciso Lopez landed at Bahia Honda, with a handful of Hungarians in the total of about 400 men, who went to liberate Cuba from Spanish tyranny. The place must be an almost unknown, secluded spot, with hardly any roads leading to it. Nobody seemed to know anything about it and as far as I know, the official or unofficial Cuba doesn’t intend to commemorate the centennial of these men, who died for Cuban liberty and independence. Disgusted with the ignorance and indolence which was the main characteristic everywhere I tried to turn for information, I abandoned my plan to look up Bahia Honda. Perhaps some other time when I will have a few extra dollars to organize a private expedition, I might visit the place. •I* Miami and the entire Florida is really a land of enchantment and surprises, but as an incorrigible Hungarian, I went there to meet people after my own heart. And I am happy to report that I have found them in the people of our struggling new church in Miami, and in their leaders, the Rev. and Mrs. Anthony Peter. I conducted divine services in their rented church for about 70 people on each occasion. This might not seem to be a very impressive figure but if we know that the services were held Sunday afternoons at 2 o’clock, always in an almost 100 degree heat, to people who had to travel far to reach the church, — this figure becomes significant. On the first Sunday an awful cloudburst fell on the city, just at the time when the people had begun to leave their homes for church. Miami has sewerage only in the downtown section, consequently most of the street crossings became veritable lakes in a few minutes. I had to turn back two or three times to seek more suitable places to cross. We were prepared that nobody will be at the church, — and I preached to almost 70, intently listening devout people! The most important mission of this church, next to preaching the Gospel of Christ, is to counteract and eventually destroy the already considerable, but always sly and cautious Communist influence in Hungarian life. Miami’s importance as a life-lengthening haven for elderly Hungarians will grow with every year. Already thousands of our people live there and more arrive almost every day. We cannot afford to neglect this important and promising field. * In addition to the notice about the I WO, published in our last issue, the following lines will help one to understand the decision of the N. Y. State Supreme Court: New York Court Dissolves I.W.O. HOLDING that the International Workers Order is Communist-dominated and a front for Red propaganda activities, Supreme Court Justice Henry Clay Greenberg, New York City, on June 25th ordered dissolution of the Society. He directed that all books and papers of the I.W.O. be turned over to the State Superintendent of
