Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)

1946 / Verhovay Journal

VOL. XXIX.

OCTOBER 30, 1946

NO. 20.

To the Governors of the United States

The Greatest News of the Month

Initiative, Originality, Courage and Enthusiasm Mark New Movement of Pittsburgh’s

Young People

This editorial is NOT addressed to the chief executives of the 48 states but to our readers and fellow-citizens whom we wish to remind of their true status in this country which is known to have a “government of the people, by the people and for the people.” From the President of the United States down to the last county squire, every public officer is only a REPKESENTITIVE of the TRUE GOVERNORS, the people, the American citizens. Regardless of how exalted or humble that public office may be, it is only held IN TRUST in behalf of the people and for a limited

tenure while the citizens STAY in their office which they enter

by the right of succession with the definite understanding that its rights, privileges and duties cannot be transferred, surrendered or denied.

AS A VOTER the American citizen is the Mayor of his City, the Commissioner of his County, the Governor of his State and the

President of his Country. AS A VOTER the American citizen

heips building the MAJORITY whose intentions and convictions are made to prevail in the governing of the nation.

Naturally, 95 million voters cannot all be of the same opinion, nor can any one man or party, large or small, be expected to possess a cure-all for our country’s troubles and ills. It stands to reason, therefore, that the best way is to let the MAJORITY have the decision in all matters of policy and government. As soon as one man is given the rule, the nation is not governed anymore by the people but by the whip of a dictator. And if the majority yields to a minority, it surrenders to slavery in which a privileged class becomes the lord and master over the subjugated masses. Individual freedom, justice and equality cannot prevail unless the majority retains its right to govern the nation.

The United States today is a house divided against itself Self-styled dictators and selfish groups are trying their utmost to divest the PEOPLE of their constitutional rights by appointing themselves the ruler of the nation. Their methods are as old as humanity. Blightly promising 'panem and circenses’ (bread and lun) to the gullible masses they accuse all opposition of every crime under the sun. Only yiey are patriots, all others are traitors. Only they are concerned about the people,, the others are swindlers, thiefs and robbers. And, almost imperceptibly, democracy is turned into demagogy . . .

Election day comes upon us in the midst of the most crucial period of the history of the nation. Only the PEOPLE can make order of the chaos prevailing today. Only the PEOPLE can right the course of the floundering ship of our democracy, and they can do so only by putting the REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAJORITY in the Congress and Senate of the United States. However, there is a great danger that the determination of the minority may prevail over the unexpressed desire of the majority. The most aggressive, vociferous and willful groups will make every effort to get those under their thumb to the polls while the great MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE again may prefer to keep out of the unwholesome struggle.

According to the latest Gallup Poll, only about 35 million citizens intend to vote in the coming elections, while 60 millions are expected to stay away from the polls. If that happens, the majority of the people will have yielded to a militant minority. If that happens, ours will have ceased to be a “government of the people, by the people and for the people” and a new era of minority rule will have come upon us, very much like that of the rule of the Nazi party over the people of Germany.

Most old people just love to talk about the dark future awaiting their institutions once they are taken over by the next generation. Old-country folks with their fixed ideas about the ways and manners of living have little faith in their sons and daughters whose relaxed approach to seemingly grave problems is often mistaken for insolence and carelessness . . .

Though the American descendants of Hungarian immigrants often had proven their worth on the field of battle as well as in the tasks at home, they are still doubted and the standard question “what is this world coming to?” is uttered too often by too many of the older folks who seem to have forgotten that the same question was asked by their fathers and grandfathers in Hungary, too . . .

Yet, cheerfully overlooking their elders’ prejudices, the young folks keep on pursuing their ideas in their own way. They know they are right and they are willing to prove it. And they did it again, right here in Pittsburgh, where Hungarian social, fraternal and charitable activities have reached the lowest point in the history of this community. And perhaps that is just the reason why the young people decided to do something of their own accord for the cause which, though near to the hearts of American Hungarians, meets with such deplorable indifference in many Pittsburgh quarters.

We do not want to repeat the story of Chapter 117 of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., for it is well and fully told in Bill Kohut’s column, the “Homestead Merry Go Round.” Be sure to read the story which tells how twenty second generation Americans invaded a rather exclusive section of the city where there are not more than five or six Hungarian families; how they went from door to door

presenting the cause of the unfortunate people of Hungary, and how they collected in a single night more than 1,000 pairs of good shoes and more than 1,000 pounds of good clothing.

Americans of Hungarian birth may quarrel about whether or not to help the Hungarians, but the Americans in Mt. Lebanon had no quarrel with the ambassadors of mercy. „They gave cheerfully and freely. They did so because they are Americans and had been approached in the American way . . .

It does not make any difference that most of the officers and workers of Chapter 117 are members of the Verhovay, though we are proud of the fact. Still—this new movement is going to reach far beyond the membership of our Association. Its first action was crowned with smashing success. There is no telling how far they will go—in proving to the old folks that working in their own way they can get much further than their elders.

And let there be no mistake about it: the program of Chapter 117 of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., does not duplicate any of the efforts made in this city. This chapter does not propose to collect donations from Hungarians ... It intends to open sources heretofore untouched by the local chapter of the relief movement. The officers and workers of this chapter have initiative, originality, courage and enthusiasm—as has been proven beyond the shadow of doubt on that memorable evening in Mt. Lebanon.

Let there be no mistake about it either, that Chapter 117 is an all-American team. They provide every prerequisite of success. With their own leaders, with their own ideas, they proceed to provide shoes and clothing for Hungary for the approaching winter. They are not

concerned about Hungarian politics, social and religious problems and they do not propose to let anyone influence them to the contrary. And they go to the people who are known the world over for the goodness of their hearts: the Americans . . .

Encouraged by the initial success of their campaign they decided to introduce now their chapter to Americans of Hungarian origin. A dance will be held at the Hotel Fort Pitt, in the English Room, on November 16th, Saturday, for the benefit of the relief-movement. Admission is SI.25 plus one pair of shoes (if possible), however, if you already have sent your used shoes to someone in Hungary, you will be heartily welcomed for the admission fee alone . . . Horvath Guszti’s famous gypsy orchestra will furnish the music and the officers and workers of Chapter 117 will be hosts to what we hope will be a great crowd.

ATTENTION, FRIENDS AND READERS IN THE TRISTATE AREA!

In behalf of the Officers and Workers of Chapter 117 of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., we cordially invite all friends and readers of the Journal to the Hungarian Relief Dance to be held on November 16th, Saturday evening, in the English Room of Hotel Fort Pitt, Penn Ave., and 10th Street, downtown Pittsburgh.

Undoubtedly you will want to lend full support to your young friends in Pittsburgh, in their noble endeavor. Here is a fine opportunity for getting acquainted with them, making new friends, having a real good old time and helping the people of Hungary! Wherever you live in the tri-state area, it’s only a short trip to Pittsburgh. It pays to come. It will help if you come. It will be a beautiful gesture of real American comradeship' if you attend this affair.

And that is why this solemn appeal is being made to the TRUE GOVERNORS OF THE UNITED STATES, the citizens of our land. We are not asking you to vote for any particular party. We are urging you to VOTE, regardless of what party will benefit from your support. Right now we are more concerned in the number of votes to be cast than in the outcome of the elections. Even if our own candidates would win, we could not feel elated about it if theirs would be a victory BY DEFAULT of the American people.

This may be our last chance to restore the government of the people, by the people and for the people. And that can be done only if the VOTERS OF AMERICA ARISE and make their Will known to the world. Unless at least 70 million voters go to the polls—instead of the predicted 35 millions—these elections will not reveal the will of the majority nor will those elected be true representatives of the people.

If you still fail to vote, don’t blame anyone for whatever happens in the future. Don’t grumble about the faults of the government, don’t complain about conditions. It will be your fault, too, if things go wrong, because by staying away from the polls on election day you will have helped the minorities in assuming the power which is vested in the majority.

GOVERNORS OF AMERICA, citizens of the nation, you owe it. to yourself, to your children and to your country to vote on election day. -The future of the United States is in your hands.

SEPTEMBER LULL REDUCES GAINS

Slow-down in Contest Jeopardizes Success

The first “60th Anniversary Membership Contest” was launched last October under most unfavorable circumstances. Nation-wide strikes had a paralyzing effect on the campaign and no appreciable results were attained during the first three months. In January, 1946, the fourth month of the contest, however, a great change took place and from then on the contest was carried to a highly successful conclusion by the enthusiastic participants of that memorable drive during which more than 3,000 new membership certificates were issued by the Association.

Though conditions had much

' improved by the time of the launching of the 60th Anniversary Gold Ring Membership Contest, it started just as awkwardly as the previous drive. In fact, by the end of the second month we came to the conclusion that economic conditions must have little effect on campaigns of this kind, for the results attained during those prosperous months were identical with those recorded during October and November, 1945, when deplorable conditions prevailed. This time, however, the much desired change came sooner than in the first contest. A sudden upswing' in August, the third month, changed the entire picture, for by the end of that month results had far surpassed those attained during the first three months of the last contest. We had every reason to believe that the improvement will persist and each of the following months will conclude with higher results than those attained in the corresponding months of the original anniversary contest.

It seems, however, that we cannot figure out our contestants. For reasons beyond our understanding, a sudden lull set in during September and, as a result, the fourth month of the contest closed with 67 less certi(Continued on Page 2)