Three Charlotte citizens of foreign birth told members of the Woman’s Club last Thursday why they had come to America to live and what they found here to make life attractive. The program was arranged so as to give representation from three countries. The speakers were Mrs. L. Joseph, a native of Syria; Tony Kiriakas, who was born in Greece, and John Yonan, an Armenian.
Mrs. Joseph has been a citizen of Charlotte for some years and is the wife of a merchant. Mr. Kiriakas came to this country when a young man and recently married an American girl. John Yonan is still a young man, though he served in the Armenian army during a part of the recent war. His father came to this country a number of yeas ago as a student and is a graduate of Davidson college.
Mrs. J.A. Yarbrough introduced the speakers, telling something of the lives and experiences of each. In introducing Mrs. Joseph, Mr. Yarbrough said:
“During Dr. Royston’s ministry in Charlotte Mrs. Joseph assisted him in doing a wonderful work among the foreign born people. She was well equipped for is work as she was the daughter of a noted educator, of Syria, and a descendant of a long line of teachers and writers. In her veins flow the purest blood of the Orient and hers is a heritage of generations of culture and intellect.”
Mrs. Joseph emphasized the fact in her remarks that it was the duty of foreign born people living in America to become Americanized, in custom, manners and citizenship. It was a loyalty expected of them, and rightfully so, to their adopted country and to remain alive wa to cut themselves off from many advantages, she said.
Mr. Kiriakas told of his return to his native land after living several years in America and of his dissatisfaction and longing to come back, which he did after two months’ absence. He was no longer content to live in Greece after his life in America. He is a member of a local Protestant church and actively engaged in the church work. He spoke of the freedom of life in America as compared with that in the old country, whee they are virtually prisoners, he said. Mr. Kiriakas declared he was not a speaker but that he had agreed to speak to the members of the Woman’s club when he was asked, just to show that he is trying to be a good American.
Several months ago when Dr. Yonan, who was connected with the relief work of the near-East, was removed form Charlotte to Richmond, Va., there was regret for Dr. Yonan and his family were regarded as distinct additions to the religious life of Charlotte. Both Dr. Yonan and his wife are known as speakers of ability and their boys, Irash and John, were active in the church to which they belonged and in the work of the Y.M.C.A. Jrash is a student at Davidson college and John, in the Charlotte High school. The latter feels it is a duty to speak to the various organizations of the city when asked and readily responded when invited to speak at the meeting of the education department of the Woman’s club.
“I am very glad to be here in your Woman’s club to speak to you,” he said in his address. “Since the day I came to Charlotte I have been associated with your boys and girls. You mothers have surprised me by the great work you are doing for your sons and daughters, to be so careful of them and educate them to the highest ideals. The future of America depends upon these very girls and boys.
“I have been asked to tell you why I came to America and why others come. First, education brought me here. Before this great World war began, we had made our plans to come to this wonderful country. My father was educated here and his ideas of America were very high. He always told us he would send us to America to be educated. Another reason for my coming was to get away from our enemies. You have hears a great deal of the suffering of the Christian people in those countries. The cruel Turks were unmerciful in their treatment of all Christians, and we came to this country as refugees. We also came here to gain power. Did you know that some people come to this country to gain power? They do. We have recognized how much power the Americans have in other countries, though you may not realize it. If you knew of the things the American flag has done in other countries you would be surprised. When ever that flag blows there is peace and comfort.
America has never had before as much power as during the war and today, and the people of this great country should realize that this power has come to us from the man who is the greatest, not only in America, but in the whole world, President Wilson. As we neared the shores of America, I had a feeling I cannot describe; it was different from any feeling I ever had before. It seemed that the atmosphere of America was different from that of any other country.
“Did you know that the air of your country has a fragrant odor? It is the fragrance of freedom.
“I appreciate the great opportunities of living here and am trying to take advantage of them. I thank you for the chance you have given me to speak to you,” John Yonan said.
From The Charlotte News, Sunday, March 13, 1921. (John’s brother’s name is spelled Irash on first use and Jrash on second use. I don’t know which is correct.)
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