Fraternity-Testvériség, 1952 (30. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1952-01-01 / 1. szám
TESTVÉRISÉG 5 the “propriety” of the overthrow of the government by violence — but actually don’t conspire or attempt to overthrow the government by such means. We are no jurists, but we think that the judge was right when in a recent case he sentenced to prison the organizers and “teachers” of a “school” for pick-pockets and shop-lifters. These “teachers” themselves did not practice the art; they “merely” taught and advocated the methods and “propriety” of it. Is there any difference between small illegal acts and big crimes, as far as the general principles go? Many criminals deservedly ended their lives on the gallows for teaching and advocating the propriety of much lesser crimes than treason. We still believe that the Justices of the Supreme Court are good Americans and far better jurists than the members of the CIO brain trust. * * * ”WE ARE USED TO THE FACT” —says the New York Times — “that we are human and have rights. Hard experience has taught us the lesson that we cannot surely remain human and retain rights, unless we stand together.” Two years ago the United Nations made a declaration on human rights, out of which grew the observance of Human Rights Day. The declaration, as the Department of State points out, is not a treaty and therefore imposes no legal obligations. It is, however, a challenge to all mankind to promote world-wide respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It says, for example, that everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country; that everyone has the right to social security, the right to work, to education, etc. “Clearly, it would be hard to enforce all these rights by treaty or law” — continues the N. Y. Times — “but the aspirations are really fine. We in this country can afford to celebrate them, but they presumably will not be celebrated in Soviet Russia and its overrun satellite states. 48 nations did approve this noble declaration — a respectable fraction of humanity.” 5k * * WE ARE IN THE MIDST of the centenary anniversary of Louis Kossuth’s American tour. Most of our own celebrations will be held in March, in connection with the Hungarian Independence Day of March 15th. The larger Hungarian groups, especially in cities visited by Kossuth, are already making extensive preparations for the celebration, like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Newark, Bridgeport, St. Louis. Kossuth did not visit Detroit or Chicago, but the large Hungarian communities in these cities are also making preparations. Here in Washington, D. C., the official opening of our new Home Office, the “Kossuth House”, will be celebrated in connection with the anniversary. The annual meeting of our Supreme Council will be held the following week in March. * * * NATIONALISM is a word much discredited by the fascists and nazis of every nationality. In spite of this deplorable fact, there are noted people who don’t like the idea that the word should stay discredited forever or even for a few generations. One of our “grand old men”, former President Herbert Hoover calls those people who consider nationalism an evil, “fuzzy- minded people”. “I am not afraid of that word” — said the former President. — “Its other name is patriotism ... It can run to excess. It can run to greed and desire for the domination of other peoples, but it can bring a thousand blessings which flow from the freedom of nations and men . . .” Mr. Hoover emphasized that the nationalism of Iron Curtain countries might eventually free them from the Soviet’s yoke. And we might ask: Besides Divine Providence, what other human endeavor or sentiment could bring liberation about? * * * THE FORMER PRESIDENT addressed 700 representatives of 65 youth organizations with these memorable words: “You may well criticize the generations before your time for the failures you inherit . . . But may I say this in defense of those who have gone before. They pioneered for you the paths to freedom. They leave you great stores of knowledge and arts. They will leave you millions of farms and homes which they have built . . . They have prepared for you magnificent cities, institutions for health, for research, for education . . .” These words can be applied to everything Hungarian-Americans achieved through many decades of hard work and sacrifice. KÖSZÖNET Nagy tiszteletű Elnök Ur! Köszönetemet óhajtom kifejezni azért a szép megnyugtató levélért, amelyet hozzám intézett kedves férjem halála után. Igazán jól esett szomorú helyzetemben. Köszönöm a csekk gyors kiutalását. Hat napon belül értesített az osztály ügykezelője, hogy megérkezett részemre a csekk. Nem gondoltam, hogy ilyen hamarosan lesz elintézve. A jó Isten áldását kérve mindannyiukra vagyok hálás tisztelettel: Özv. Molnár Lajosné 102. osztály
