The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-30
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Is the Creek UndesirnbIes

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 A reply to the unjust insinuation of Representative Burnett of Alabama, which appeared in special dispatch to the Age-Herald November 21:
 Prof S. T. Cooke, in the article. "The Greek in the United States" made the following remark:
 Greeks, a people who, because of their well preserved inheritance of ancient Hellenic tendencies, have brought an ele- ment of greatest importance to inter- mingle with the other elements no long CT new. one having a refined yet practl- cal influence"
 While the agitation is going on in this country as to immigration and the most desirable immigrants, before making up our mind who are and who are not de- sirable, we should each investigate care- fully the steps that have been made by the different immigrants in regard to American citizenship, and then look to the question, which of the immigrants are best prepared to make good citizens, we must say that of all the immigrants that have come to the United States, the most industrious, law abiding, and intelligent, are those coming from Greece. They are compelled by the law of their land to become educated, as compulsory education law in Greece is strictly enforced. There are no Greeks that come to the American continent but that can read and write In their native lo,, ic biit Stara Greek to English. They have shown our people what is to be gained by in- dustry and especially in the sponge in- dustry on the coast of Florida, the man ufacturing of cigarettes and operation of popular restaurants and confectionery business, and one of the best things to be said about the Greeks is the fact that they are becoming acquainted with re- publican ideas of government, they are qualifying themselves as citizens and a great number of the naturalization pa pers issued by the federal government are issued to Greeks. showing that they have come here to become citizens of our government and give something in turn for what they have received.
 I will quote again Professor Cooke and allow the reply to come from a native born American, like himself: There is yet the most important part of all con- nected with the immigration of the Greeks which makes them a great acqui- sition to the American republic. It Is the active exercise of the ancient spirit of Greek art, which they have never lost from the remotest times, though 1t has been checked by national misfortunes They cherish for the magnificent insti- tutions of ancient Helles undying love- Really these Hellenes from an unique study of one fraught with much reflec- ton on their probable instrumentality to- wards the aesthetic exaltation of Amer lea, as whole, in a manner not yet attained. America is greatly honored in having this virile race among it's pop ulation, and we would reflect on what the future may see of American works of classic and artistic genius on a scale not heretofore known anywhere. Think of the traits which gave to the world those standards of poetry, philosophy, art, science and trade which were most ben eficent aids in successful national up- building"
 Let, therefore. our representative re- gard us with less intolerant spirit after enlightening himself with the contents of this article. IT. N. BALABANOS.
 Birmingham, December 20, 1910.