The evening leader., 1918-08-21
Greek Immigrants
in America
(By Rev. T. J. Lacey, PAD, Brook
lyn. N. W

lyn, N. W
The Greeks are comparatively re-
cent addition to the complex stream of
American life. In 1848 only one
Greek is reported as arriving in New
York In 1858 there were two Greeks.
In a period of II years beginning with
1647 the total number entering the
United States was n. In 1886 the
consul to Greece reports that there
is no emigration from Greece to the
United States or any other country.
In 1900 the total number of Greeks
amongst us was nine thousand, In
10 years this number increased to one
hundred thousand. In the single year
1907 the number of Greeks entering
this country was 46,283.
Aside from the natural wander
lust" the motive for this immigration
has been largely economic. The fail
ure of the currant market in 1921
struck at the heart Of this national
industry. That year registered an IN
crease in the number seeking their
fortunes in this new land. With the
years the tide has steadily risen. In
zcontrost to the Hungarian, Polish and
carly German immigration, the Greek
has never left his home on account of
political oppression or religious perse-
cut'on. Every section of Greece has
made cont button to the emigrant
stream. In 1903 Consul Mckinley re-
ports that thousands from Spas4 "a
have sought the United States and
some villages have sent all their able
bodied men.
The immigrants have penetrated
every section. There are large COM
munities in the metropolitan centres
New York, Philadelphia, Boston.
Manhattan has a growing Hellenic
population scattered over the borough.
The Greek stores centre in the vicin-
ity of Madison street where the visi-
tor will notice rows of Greek signs on
restaurants, coffee houses, &C., and
the American Offices of Greek business
firms such as the "Achaia Wine CO...
whose vineyards were pointed out to
me near P@tras some years ago. There
are also numerous stores on Sixth av-
enue in the vicinity Of 30th street.
There are two large churches. The
more recent congregation of the can
nunciation" has acquired a striking
Byzantine building on West 54th
street. originally erected, after the
model of church in Sparta by Pan
tist congregation which later decided
to r,cove owing to changes. in the
neighborhood. The Greeks were able
to secure the property.
4 Lowell, Mass, presents Greek col
onv concentrated in one section of the
city. Along Market street beginning
at nutton the Hellenic character is
very pronounced. With almost no ex-
ception the stores are Greek for sew
eral blocks. l was impressed with the
~0~0~0~0Ooo-->---~-~-~-~-~ -~-~1->~---7-0-~-~o.ooooo
DEATH.
| am the key that parts the gate of
! fame;
am the cloak that covers covering
shame;
| am the final goal of every race;
i | am the storn1-tossed spirits resting
| place;
The messenger of sure and swift re-
lief,
Welcomed with wa;lings ard re-
proachful grief;
The friend Of those that have no
friend but me,
l break all chains and set all captivcs
free.
I am the cloud that, when earth's day
is done,
An instant wells an unext;nguished
sun;
am the brooding hush that follows
strife,
The waking from a dream that man
calls--life!
Florence Earle Coates.
To Girls in General.
7! loved you at tho Kitchen SIX,
In duster, sitting ashes whit;