Greeks in America - eBooks4Greeks.gr

40 THE GREEKS IN AMERICAfrom Smyrna and its hinterland, from Thrace, Adrianople,Kirkkilissa, Constantinople and all overTurkey, left the country usually secretly withoutpassports.Another cause of the emigration from Turkey wasreligious, due to the conflict between Christianityand Islam. To accept Islam, would end the troublesand persecutions of Christians. Like the persecutedPuritans of England, the Huguenots of France, thevictims of oppression in Germany and other lands,the Greek Christian young men sought shelter,refuge, and liberty in the ^^Land of the Free and theHome of the Brave."Peasant and poor emigrants.—At first the emigrantsfrom Greece were from the peasant class,mostly illiterate, and poor. Many were of the classthat had failed at home and wanted to try their fortunesin new lands. They were mostly young men,single, or if married, who had left their families inthe home land.Later came better classes.—Gradually more culturedand educated classes began to go to America.Merchants with capital, physicians and lawyers withdiplomas, capable young men, anxious to enter thenumerous educational institutions in America,rushed to the New World to seek their fortunes.Future depends on political conditions.—Thefuture of the emigration from Greece and Turkeydepends on the outcome of the political situation.The establishment of a just and liberal governmentwill open up the sources of wealth in the countryand the enterprising will find ample fields at hometo utilize their energies.Still as long as the impulse to adventure and thelove of enterprise continue living in the bosom ofthe Greeks and while the economic and commercialopportunities here continue there will keep comingstreams of Greek emigrants to the United States.