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Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Am I Too Young to Give My Life to Jesus?
| Q: I'm 9 years old. Am I too young to give my life to Jesus? We go to church, but I think my parents believe I'm not old enough to ask Jesus to come into my life, although I want to. -- M.F. A: No, you're not too young to give your life to Jesus! God loves you, and He not only loves you but He wants you to love Him in return. You can do this by asking Jesus to come into your life and making Him part of your life every day. What do you need to know to become a follower of Jesus? First, you need to know that God made you and gave you your life. He did this because He loves you and wants you to become a member of His family. Then you also need to know that although God loves us, we don't love Him the way we should. In fact, we often ignore Him and do things He doesn't want us to do. The Bible calls this sin, and it tells us that every one of us -- including you and me -- "have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is why we need Jesus, because He came to take away our sins by dying on the cross for us. Now, all we need to do is receive the gift He offers us -- the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. And you can accept that gift by asking Jesus to come into your life. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them" (Mark 10:14). This is Jesus' invitation to you, and I pray you will accept His invitation by giving your life to Him today. God bless you. |
Posted via email from Religion
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and The New World Order
For those who may be confused by the controversies surrounding the "New World Order", a One-World-Government, and American concern over giving the UN more power; those unaware of the issues involved; and those wishing more background, I offer the following.
Originally presented for an Honors Class, "Dilemmas of War and Peace," at New Mexico State University, the paper was ridiculed and characterized by Dr. Yosef Lapid, (an acknowledged and locally quoted "expert" on Terrorism and Middle Eastern affairs) as "paranoid... possibly a symptom of mental illness." You may judge for yourself.
Citing source data is the "scientific method," but does not seem to apply to "Conspiracy Theories." A thousand sources may be quoted, yet will not convince the "skeptics," the "realists." It seems to me the "symptoms of mental illness" are on their side, if they refuse to look at evidence ("There are none so blind as those who WILL not see"); or perhaps something more sinister is at work, such as a knowledge of the truth, that does not want YOU to know.
To be paranoid means to believe in delusions of danger and persecution. If the danger is real, and the evidence credible, then it cannot be delusional. To ignore the evidence, and hope that it CANNOT be true, is more an evidence of mental illness.
The issue involves much more than a difference of philosophy, or political viewpoint. Growing up in the midst of the "Cold War," our generation were taught that those who attempted to abolish our national sovereignty and overthrow our Constitutional government were committing acts of treason. Please judge for yourself if the group discussed is guilty of such.
If one group is effectively in control of national governments and multinational corporations; promotes world government through control of media, foundation grants, and education; and controls and guides the issues of the day; then they control most options available. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and the financial powers behind it, have done all these things, and promote the "New World Order", as they have for over seventy years.
The CFR is the promotional arm of the Ruling Elite in the United States of America. Most influential politicians, academics and media personalities are members, and it uses its influence to infiltrate the New World Order into American life. Its' "experts" write scholarly pieces to be used in decision making, the academics expound on the wisdom of a united world, and the media members disseminate the message.
To understand how the most influential people in America came to be members of an organization working purposefully for the overthrow of the Constitution and American sovereignty, we have to go back at least to the early 1900's, though the story begins much earlier (depending on your viewpoint and beliefs).
That a ruling power elite does indeed control the U.S. government behind the scenes has been attested to by many americans in a position to know. Felix Frankfurter, Justice of the Supreme Court (1939-1962), said: "The real rulers in Washington are invisible and exercise power from behind the scenes." In a letter to an associate dated November 21, 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt wrote, "The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a financial element in the large centers has owned the government ever since the days of Andrew Jackson."
February 23, 1954, Senator William Jenner warned in a speech: "Outwardly we have a Constitutional government. We have operating within our government and political system, another body representing another form of government, a bureaucratic elite which believes our Constitution is outmoded."
Baron M.A. Rothschild wrote, "Give me control over a nation's currency and I care not who makes its laws."
All that is needed to effectively control a government is to have control over the nation's money: a central bank with a monopoly over the supply of money and credit. This had been done in Western Europe, with the creation of privately owned central banks such as the Bank of England.
Georgetown professor Dr. Carroll Quigley (Bill Clinton's mentor while at Georgetown) wrote about the goals of the investment bankers who control central banks: "... nothing less than to create a world system of financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of each country and the economy of the world as a whole... controlled in a feudalist fashion by the central banks of the world acting in concert, by secret agreements arrived at in frequent private meetings and conferences."
The Bank of the United States (1816-36), an early attempt at an American central bank, was abolished by President Andrew Jackson, who believed that it threatened the nation. He wrote: "The bold effort the present bank had made to control the government, the distress it had wantonly produced...are but premonitions of the fate that awaits the American people should they be deluded into a perpetuation of this institution or the establishment of another like it."
Thomas Jefferson wrote: "The Central Bank is an institution of the most deadly hostility existing against the principles and form of our Constitution...if the American people allow private banks to control the issuance of their currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."
Does that not describe the situation in America today?
The U.S. managed to do without a central bank until early in this century, when, according to Congressman Charles Lindbergh, Sr., "The Money Trust caused the 1907 panic, and thereby forced Congress to create a National Monetary Commission." Headed by Senator Nelson Aldrich, father-in-law of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the Commission recommended creation of a central bank.
Though unconstitutional, as only "The Congress shall have Power...To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof..." (Article I, Section 8, U.S. Constitution) the Federal Reserve Act was passed in December 1913; ostensibly to stabilize the economy and prevent further panics, but as Lindberg warned Congress: "This act establishes the most gigantic trust on earth...the invisible government by the money power, proven to exist by the Money Trust investigation, will be legalized." The Great Depression and numerous recessions later, it is obvious the Federal Reserve produces inflation and federal debt whenever it desires, but not stability.
Congressman Louis McFadden, House Committee on Banking and Currency Chairman (1920-31), stated: "When the Federal Reserve Act was passed, the people of these United States did not perceive that a world banking system was being set up here. A super-state controlled by international bankers and industrialists...acting together to enslave the world...Every effort has been made by the Fed to conceal its powers but the truth is--the Fed has usurped the government."
Although called "Federal," the Federal Reserve system is privately owned by member banks, makes its own policies, and is not subject to oversight by Congress or the President. As the overseer and supplier of reserves, the Fed gave banks access to public funds, which enhanced their lending capacity.
Peter Kershaw, in "Economic Solutions" lists the ten major shareholders of the Federal Reserve Bank System as: Rothschild: London and Berlin; Lazard Bros: Paris; Israel Seiff: Italy; Kuhn- Loeb Company: Germany; Warburg: Hamburg and Amsterdam; Lehman Bros: New York; Goldman and Sachs: New York; Rockefeller: New York. (That most, if not all of these families just happen to be Jewish, you may judge the significance of yourself). The balance of stock is owned by major commercial member banks.
According to Devvy Kidd, "Why A Bankrupt America?" The Federal Reserve pays the Bureau of Engraving & Printing approximately $23 for each 1,000 notes printed. 10,000 $100 notes (one million dollars) would thus cost the Federal Reserve $230. They then secure a pledge of collateral equal to the face value from the U.S. government. The collateral is our land, labor, and assets... collected by their agents, the IRS. By authorizing the Fed to regulate and create money (and thus inflation), Congress gave private banks power to create profits at will.
As Lindberg put it: "The new law will create inflation whenever the trusts want inflation...they can unload the stocks on the people at high prices during the excitement and then bring on a panic and buy them back at low prices...the day of reckoning is only a few years removed." That day came in 1929, with the Stock Market crash and Great Depression.
One of the most important powers given to the Fed was the right to buy and sell government securities, and provide loans to member banks so they might also purchase them. This provided another built-in mechanism for profit to the banks, if government debt was increased. All that was needed was a method to pay off the debt. This was accomplished through the passage of the income tax in 1913.
A national income tax was declared unconstitutional in 1895 by the Supreme Court, so a constitutional amendment was proposed in Congress by none other than ...Senator Nelson Aldrich. As presented to the American people it seemed reasonable enough: income tax on only one percent of income under $20,000, with the assurance that it would never increase.
Since it was graduated, the tax would "soak the rich", ...but the rich had other plans, already devising a method of protecting wealth. As described by Gary Allen in his 1976 book "The Rockefeller File," "By the time the (16th) Amendment had been approved by the states, the Rockefeller Foundation was in full operation...about the same time that Judge Kenesaw Landis was ordering the breakup of the Standard Oil monopoly...John D...not only avoided taxes by creating four great tax-exempt foundations; he used them as repositories for his 'divested' interests...made his assets non-taxable so that they might be passed down through generations without...estate and gift taxes...Each year the Rockefellers can dump up to half their incomes into their pet foundations and deduct the "donations" from their income tax."
Exchanging ownership for control of wealth, foundations are also a handy means for promoting interests that benefit the wealthy. Millions of foundation dollars have been "donated" to causes such as promoting the use of drugs, while degrading preventive medicine. Since many drugs are made from coal tar derivatives, both oil companies and drug manufacturing concerns (many Rockefeller owned or controlled) are the main beneficiaries.
With the means to loan enormous sums to the government (the Federal Reserve), a method to repay the debt (income tax), and an escape from taxation for the wealthy, (foundations), all that remained was an excuse to borrow money. By some happy "coincidence," in 1914 World War I began, and after American participation national debt rose from $1 billion to $25 billion.
Woodrow Wilson was elected President in 1913, beating incumbent William Howard Taft, who had vowed to veto legislation establishing a central bank. To divide the Republican vote and elect the relatively unknown Wilson, J.P. Morgan and Co. poured money into the candidacy of Teddy Roosevelt and his Progressive Party.
According to an eyewitness, Wilson was brought to Democratic Party headquarters in 1912 by Bernard Baruch, a wealthy banker. He received an "indoctrination course" from those he met, and in return agreed, if elected: to support the projected Federal Reserve and the income tax, and "listen" to advice in case of war in Europe and on the composition of his cabinet.
Wilson's top advisor during his two terms was a man named Colonel Edward M. House. House's biographer, Charles Seymour, called him the "unseen guardian angel" of the Federal Reserve Act, helping to guide it through Congress. Another biographer wrote that House believed: "...the Constitution, product of eighteenth-century minds...was thoroughly outdated; that the country would be better off if the Constitution could be scrapped and rewritten..." House wrote a book entitled "Philip Dru: Administrator," published anonymously in 1912. The hero, Philip Dru, rules America and introduces radical changes, such as a graduated income tax, a central bank, and a "league of nations."
World War I produced both a large national debt, and huge profits for those who had backed Wilson. Baruch was appointed head of the War Industries Board, where he exercised dictatorial power over the national economy. He and the Rockefellers were reported to have earned over $200 million during the war. Wilson backer Cleveland Dodge sold munitions to the allies, while J.P. Morgan loaned them hundreds of millions, with the protection of U.S. entry into the war.
While profit was certainly a motive, the war was also useful to justify the notion of world government. William Hoar reveals in "Architects of Conspiracy" that during the 1950s, government investigators examining the records of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a long- time promoter of globalism, found that several years before the outbreak of World War I, the Carnegie trustees were planning to involve the U.S. in a general war, to set the stage for world government.
The main obstacle was that Americans did not want any involvement in European wars. Some kind of incident, such as the explosion of the battleship Main, which provoked the Spanish - American war, would have to be provided as provocation. This occurred when the Lusitania, carrying 128 Americans on board, was sunk by a German submarine, and anti-German sentiment was aroused. When war was declared, U.S. propaganda portrayed all Germans as Huns and fanged serpents, and all Americans opposing the war as traitors.
What was not revealed at the time, however, was that the Lusitania was transporting war munitions to England, making it a legitimate target for the Germans. Even so, they had taken out large ads in the New York papers, asking that Americans not take passage on the ship.
The evidence seems to point to a deliberate plan to have the ship sunk by the Germans. Colin Simpson, author of "The Lusitania," wrote that Winston Churchill, head of the British Admiralty during the war, had ordered a report to predict the political impact if a passenger ship carrying Americans was sunk. German naval codes had been broken by the British, who knew approximately where all U-boats near the British Isles were located.
According to Simpson, Commander Joseph Kenworthy, of British Naval Intelligence, stated: "The Lusitania was deliberately sent at considerably reduced speed into an area where a U-boat was known to be waiting...escorts withdrawn." Thus, even though Wilson had been reelected in 1916 with the slogan "He kept us out of war," America soon found itself fighting a European war. Actually, Colonel House had already negotiated a secret agreement with England, committing the U.S. to the conflict. It seems the American public had little say in the matter.
With the end of the war and the Versailles Treaty, which required severe war reparations from Germany, the way was paved for a leader in Germany such as Hitler. Wilson brought to the Paris Peace Conference his famous "fourteen points," with point fourteen being a proposal for a "general association of nations," which was to be the first step towards the goal of One World Government-the League of Nations.
Wilson's official biographer, Ray Stannard Baker, revealed that the League was not Wilson's idea. "...not a single idea--in the Covenant of the League was original with the President." Colonel House was the author of the Covenant, and Wilson had merely rewritten it to conform to his own phraseology.
The League of Nations was established, but it, and the plan for world government eventually failed because the U.S. Senate would not ratify the Versailles Treaty.
Pat Robertson, in "The New World Order," states that Colonel House, along with other internationalists, realized that America would not join any scheme for world government without a change in public opinion.
After a series of meetings, it was decided that an "Institute of International Affairs", with two branches, in the United States and England, would be formed.
The British branch became known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, with leadership provided by members of the Round Table. Begun in the late 1800's by Cecil Rhodes, the Round Table aimed to federate the English speaking peoples of the world, and bring it under their rule.
The Council on Foreign Relations was incorporated as the American branch in New York on July 29, 1921. Founding members included Colonel House, and "...such potentates of international banking as J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Paul Warburg, Otto Kahn, and Jacob Schiff...the same clique which had engineered the establishment of the Federal Reserve System," according to Gary Allen in the October 1972 issue of "AMERICAN OPINION."
The founding president of the CFR was John W. Davis, J.P. Morgan's personal attorney, while the vice-president was Paul Cravath, also representing the Morgan interests. Professor Carroll Quigley characterized the CFR as "...a front group for J.P. Morgan and Company in association with the very small American Round Table Group." Over time Morgan influence was lost to the Rockefellers, who found that one world government fit their philosophy of business well. As John D. Rockefeller, Sr. had said: "Competition is a sin," and global monopoly fit their needs as they grew internationally.
Antony Sutton, a research fellow for the Hoover Institution for War, Revolution, and Peace at Stanford University, wrote of this philosophy: "While monopoly control of industries was once the objective of J.P. Morgan and J.D. Rockefeller, by the late nineteenth century the inner sanctums of Wall Street understood the most efficient way to gain an unchallenged monopoly was to 'go political' and make society go to work for the monopolists-- under the name of the public good and the public interest."
Frederick C. Howe revealed the strategy of using government in a 1906 book, "Confessions of a Monopolist": "These are the rules of big business...Get a monopoly; let society work for you; and remember that the best of all business is politics..."
As corporations went international, national monopolies could no longer protect their interests. What was needed was a one world system of government controlled from behind the scenes. This had been the plan since the time of Colonel House, and to implement it, it was necessary to weaken the U.S. politically and economically.
During the 1920's, America enjoyed a decade of prosperity, fueled by the easy availability of credit. Between 1923 and 1929 the Federal Reserve expanded the money supply by sixty-two percent. When the stock market crashed, many small investors were ruined, but not "insiders." In March of 1929 Paul Warburg issued a tip the Crash was coming, and the largest investors got out of the market, according to Allen and Abraham in "None Dare Call it Conspiracy."
With their fortunes intact, they were able to buy companies for a fraction of their worth. Shares that had sold for a dollar might now cost a nickel, and the buying power, and wealth, of the rich increased enormously.
Louis McFadden, Chairman of the House Banking Committee declared: "It was not accidental. It was a carefully contrived occurrence...The international bankers sought to bring about a condition of despair here so that they might emerge as rulers of us all."
Curtis Dall, son-in-law of FDR and a syndicate manager for Lehman Brothers, an investment firm, was on the N.Y. Stock Exchange floor the day of the crash. In "FDR: My Exploited Father-In-Law," he states: "...it was the calculated 'shearing' of the public by the World-Money powers triggered by the planned sudden shortage of call money in the New York Market."
The Crash paved the way for the man Wall Street had groomed for the presidency, FDR. Portrayed as a "man of the little people", the reality was that Roosevelt's family had been involved in New York banking since the eighteenth century.
Frederic Delano, FDR's uncle, served on the original Federal Reserve Board. FDR attended Groton and Harvard, and in the 1920's worked on Wall Street, sitting on the board of directors of eleven different corporations.
Dall wrote of his father-in-law: "...Most of his thoughts, his political 'ammunition,'...were carefully manufactured for him in advance by the CFR-One World Money group. Brilliantly... he exploded that prepared 'ammunition' in the middle of an unsuspecting target, the American people--and thus paid off and retained his internationalist political support."
Taking America off the gold standard in 1934, FDR opened the way to unrestrained money supply expansion, decades of inflation--and credit revenues for banks. Raising gold prices from $20 an ounce to $35, FDR and Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, Jr. (son of a founding CFR member), gave international bankers huge profits.
FDR's most remembered program, the New Deal, could only be financed through heavy borrowing. In effect, those who had caused the Depression loaned America the money to recover from it. Then, through the National Recovery Administration, proposed by Bernard Baruch in 1930, they were put in charge of regulating the economy. FDR appointed Baruch disciple Hugh Johnson to run the NRA, assisted by CFR member Gerard Swope. With broad powers to regulate wages, prices, and working conditions, it was, as Herbert Hoover wrote in his memoirs: "...pure fascism;...merely a remaking of Mussolini's 'corporate state'..." The Supreme Court eventually ruled the NRA unconstitutional.
During the FDR years, the Council on Foreign Relations captured the political life of the U.S. Besides Treasury Secretary Morgenthau, other CFR members included Secretary of State Edward Stettinus, War Secretary Henry Stimson, and Assistant Secretary of State Sumner Welles.
Since 1934 almost every United States Secretary of State has been a CFR member; and ALL Secretaries of War or Defense, from Henry L. Stimson through Richard Cheney.
The CIA has been under CFR control almost continuously since its creation, starting with Allen Dulles, founding member of the CFR and brother of Secretary of State under President Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles. Allen Dulles had been at the Paris Peace Conference, joined the CFR in 1926, and later became its president.
John Foster Dulles had been one of Woodrow Wilson's young proteges at the Paris Peace Conference. A founding member of the CFR...he was an in-law of the Rockefellers, Chairman of the Board of the Rockefeller Foundation, and Board Chairman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
In 1940 FDR defeated internationalist Wendell Willkie, who wrote a book entitled "One World," and later became a CFR member. Congressman Usher Burdick protested at the time on the floor of the House that Willkie was being financed by J.P. Morgan and the New York utility bankers. Polls showed few Republicans favored him, yet the media portrayed him as THE Republican candidate.
Since that time nearly ALL presidential candidates have been CFR members. President Truman, who was not a member, was advised by a group of "wise men," all six of whom were CFR members, according to Gary Allen. In 1952 and 1956, CFR Adlai Stevenson challenged CFR Eisenhower.
In 1960, CFR Kennedy (who was probably killed because he had the courage NOT to go along with all their plans) CFR Nixon. In 1964 the GOP stunned the Establishment by nominating its candidate over Nelson Rockefeller.
Rockefeller and the CFR wing proceeded to picture Barry Goldwater as a dangerous radical. In 1968 CFR Nixon ran against CFR Humphrey. The 1972 "contest" featured CFR Nixon vs. CFR McGovern.
Immigration to Texas from Around the Globe!
The First
The first Texans were immigrants of Asiatic origin who followed game into the area perhaps 40,000 years ago. Evidence was uncovered by workmen building a dam in north Texas.
The first Texan that has been identified is known as "Midland Minnie". She was discovered near Midland in 1953. Evidence suggests that she lived between 8,000 and 18,000 years ago.
In 1528, the first Texas Indians to come in contact with Europeans were the Karankawas. Other Indian groups found in Texas were the Caddos, Coahuiltecans, Lipan Apaches, Tiguas, Tonkawas, among others. Later groups included the Alabama and Coushattas, Cherokees, Comanches, Kiowa-Apaches, Kiowas, and the Wichitas. The struggle between the Indians and the Anglos began in the 1820's.
The Indian presence in Texas has been increasing. In 1900, the State had 470 persons with Indian ancestry. By 1960 the number was 5,750. There are two resident tribes in Texas, the Tiguas and Alabama-Coushattas. Both have stayed together and have preserved their old customs.
To view a map of the Indian tribe locations, click here.
The Italians
The first Italian to view Texas was in 1497 in search of trade routes. Coronado and his group traveled across the area in 1541. Italian immigration increased after 1875, leaving behind poverty and military service. They were noted for their musical skills and culinary talents. The population in Texas was small and most lived in the Galveston-Houston area and in the Dallas area.
The Spanish or Latin American
The first foreign settlement was by the Spanish in 1519. Prior to this time, Texas was settled by Indians. An increasing number of ships left the Spanish ports for New Spain. The immigrants invisioned wealth, glory, adventure, and the lost souls to be saved by the missionaries.Spaniards ruled Texas for three centuries. Two-thirds of the recorded history of Texas is Spanish. This influence continues strongly in Texas today. The Spanish Empire in North America ended in the beginning of the 19th century. Texas became Mexican territory. Many Spaniards remained in Texas.
To view a map of the Latin American Population, click here.
The English
Captain Sir John Hawkins set sail in 1567. A storm pushed the ships into the Gulf of Mexico. They landed at Veracruz and were attacked by the Spanish navy. Some 114 set ashore to begin a 3,000 mile adventure across the wilderness. Part would later become Texas. Only three survived to return to England, and only one was alive in 1582 to report on the size, wealth, and natural beauty.Stephen F. Austin began to lead the Anglos to Texas in 1821. Many of these colonists were of English birth. The Constitution of the Republic of Texas was a direct descendant of the Magna Carta, the Petition of Rights, and the Bill of Rights.
Several early attempts were made to colonize Texas, but all failed. In 1839-1840, the first such group landed at Galveston to learn they did not have title to lands they thought they had bought.
Most of the English immigrants were farmers and came to Texas as independent, single families instead of groups.
The Afro Americans
The Afro Americans arrived with the first European exploration. The Spanish expeditions traveled with both slave and free blacks. They were navigators, soldiers, merchants, and draftsmen. The first known to set foot in Texas was in 1528 with the Navaez expedition. Esteban landed near Galveston Island and was enslaved by Indians. His rudimentary medical knowledge and gift for languages increased his influence over them. After eight years, he and three others went to Mexico City to find the Seven Cities Of Gold.Under Spanish rule in Texas, freed blacks were accepted socially and were free to work in professions or skilled trades. They could also marry whomever they chose. Under Mexican rule, a free Negro had all the legal and political rights of citizenship. The pre-revolutionary Texas accepted an individual on his personal merit. During the revolution, blacks and slaves fought beside the white colonists to establish the Republic. The Republic was dependent upon slave labor and maintained slavery in its constitution.
To view a map of the African American Population 1880, click here.
The French
The French were early traders with the Indians and Spanish in Texas. La Salle landed near Sabine Pass in 1685 and established Fort Saint Louis. La Salle was murdered by his own men near Navasota in 1687. Many Frenchmen came to Texas after the Louisiana Purchase to escape Anglo-American domination.The early French settlers included Creoles, Cajuns, refugees from the slave uprisings in Santo Domingo and emigres from the French Revolution. These immigrants were farmers, businessmen, slave traders, pirates, and soldiers. A pirate community was established on Galveston Island by Jean Lafitte. The community contained more than 1,000 persons at its peak in 1818.
France was the first European power to recognize the independence of the Texas Republic. A treaty was proclaimed between France and the Republic of Texas in 1840. This treaty continued until 1846.
The French were very helpful to Texas by adding education, culture, and business into the area. The French missionaries founded churches, schools and hospitals in Texas. After the Civil War, the French helped settle the western section of the state.
Those who immigrated to Texas made their way in small groups or singly until the 1840's. At this time, Henri Castro established a colony in Castroville. In 1876, the Franco-Texan Land Company was was the most successful effort to bring the French to Texas.
The Belgians
The first Belgians came with LaSalle in 1685. Most were farmers desiring freedom and wealth. Their greatest immigration was in the 19th century. The Texas Republic was deeply in dept after the war and sought European loans. The Belgians were interested in Texas as a market and colonization, but did not want to lose their Mexican trade. Help did not come from Belgium, but prompted the U.S. to annex Texas.There were few Belgians in Texas prior to the arrival of colonists in 1854. These immigrants faced natural hardships in La Reunion and decided that the utopian colony would not materialize. A separate colony was planned at Louvain, but this too was unsuitable. Most decided they could not handle the rustic life and moved back to Dallas. Most Belgians were engaged in agriculture.
The Anglo Americans
In 1820, Texas had approximately 4,000 immigrants. Most of these were from Spain and Mexico. Immigration was opened to Americans in 1821. By 1836, there were 38,000 settlers in Texas. Most of the Anglos were second or third generation North Europeans. The Anglos controlled all the social, political, and economic affairs. Their legal, educational, and religion prevailed.The Anglos were attracted by cheap land and since three-fourths were from the agricultural South, they were familiar with the land.
- There are four main routes they traveled:
- Sea route from New Orleans
- The southerly Atascosito Road crossing the Sabine river at Gaines' Ferry
- From Arkansas crossing the Red River to north Texas
- The north road through Nacogdoches crossing the Trinity River
To view a map of the grants, click here.
The Swiss
The Swiss began immigrating to Texas in 1821. They had several plans to settle large groups, that failed to materialize. The Swiss had little reason to immigrate to Texas. They did come on their own and contributed to the Texas independence. They slowly arrived until 1880. Many settled in north Texas communities. Their careers were farming, ranching, banking, and dairy. There were few Swiss in Texas, however more than other neighboring states.
The Swedish
The first Swedish settler, S. M. Swenson, a twenty-two year old who made a fortune in cotton, arrived in Houston in 1836. He set off a stream of migration to Texas. Sweden at that time was poor, overpopulated, and with little food. Swenson offered free passage to anyone who would work for him for a year. This continued for sixty years.
Most Swedes landed in Galveston and then continued to Houston. A number settled in Central Texas, especially in Austin. The Swedes valued education and mastered English to become good citizens and achieve economic security. They were a successful group of immigrants. They did not stay within distinct communities, but did maintain their association through church. Most were Lutheran or Methodist.
To view a map of the Swedish settlements, click here.
The Norwegians
This first Norwegian settler in Texas was John Nordboe, who was sixty-four years old, a farmer and physician. He settled in 1841 near Dallas. The first Norwegin settlement was in 1845 in Henderson County. Other settlements followed in Kaufman and Van Zandt Counties. Many Norwegians moved to Bosque County in 1854.
The Wendish
The first immigrant group to arrive in Texas was from Saxony and Prussia in 1854, landing in Galveston. They consisted of 500 settlers. The largest group came to Texas to avoid ethnic and religious problems. The Wendish immigrants were usually bilingual with German. Many joined German settlements. They settled in Lee County and established a church and school. The Texas Wendish Heritage Museum and Library in Serbin specializes in their history and genealogy.
The Polish
Polish immigration to Texas began early in the 19th century. Before the 1850's, Poles came singly or in small groups. During the 1850's, Polish immigration increased. Many of these immigrants were farmers and businessmen. The first organized group of immigrants to America sailed from Bremen and landed on Galveston in 1854. Their destination was Karnes County. The Polish immigration continued after the Civil War mostly to East Central Texas. The immigrants were escaping poverty, political, cultural, and religious hardships. Houston held the largest concentration of Polish immigrants.
To view a map of the Polish settlements, click here.
The Danish
The Danish began arriving in Texas between 1820 to 1920, leaving economic hardships, overpopulation, and better health. The Danes that arrived in the 1850's and 1860's entered either overland from other states or by ship. In the 1860's families began arriving in Lee County. They consisted of farmers and craftsmen. The Danes scattered and intermarried frequently with Germans.
Land purchased in 1894 by the Danish People's Society made the way for another group of Danes to Texas. These Danes faced problems with the new farming environment, but they changed to growing cotton which was a successful crop in Texas.
The Germans
There are the occasional German adventurers and settlers who had been Spanish subjects. But the beginning of the true German settlement in Texas can be dated from the arrival of pioneers Friedrich Ernst, "Father of German Immigration to Texas," and Charles Fordtran in 1831. From 1831 to 1845, Germans came to Texas singly or in small groups.
In 1842, German migration to Texas was promoted by a society called Adelsverein. Thousands of Germans arrived in Galveston, Houston and the valleys between the Brazos and Colorado rivers. Once in Galveston, they would travel overland to New Braunfels, or by boat to Indianola, Victoria, or New Braunfels. Most settled in in Central Texas. The German migration peaked in 1848 to avoid the political problems in Germany. There were other reasons for their migration to Texas. Some sought economic and social improvement, as well as other reasons.
To view a map of the German settlements, click here.
The Jewish
In 1836, there were only a few Jews in Texas. They came in increasing numbers after this time. Their reason for immigration to Texas was the economic and political unrest in Europe. Jews came from no particular geographic region and represented many nationalities. Some Jews settled in commercial areas and others in small towns. Many Jews entered the port of Galveston sponsored by the Jewish Immigrants Information Bureau.
The Czech and Slovak
The Czech and Slovak immigration consisted of Bohemian, Moravian, Silesian, German-Bohemian, Slovak, Ruthenian, Jewish, Austrian or Hungarian.
Czech immigration to Texas did not begin until the 1850's. The first group arrived in Galveston in 1852. Most of the Czech immigrants had been farmers in Europe and settled in the coastal plains of Texas. They then moved to other parts of the state. The Texas Czechs are known for their methods of cultivation and they played a major part to the Texas cotton industry.
The first group was organized by Josef Lesikar. He had become dissatisfied with the Austrian rule over his homeland in 1848. Lesikar did not come to Texas until a later time, however he helped 74 people in 1851 come to Texas. Only 38 of these people would survive to see their destination in Austin County. Lesikar came with the second group in the end of 1852. The voyage lasted seven weeks and they reached their settlement at New Ulm.
The Czechs have kept their heritage alive today in churches, festivals, Czech newspapers, fraternal organizaitons, and radio.
To view a map of the Czech settlements, click here.
The Syrian and Lebanese
The first people arrived just before the Civil War, when the U. S. Army attempted to develop camel transportation between Texas and California. The camel tenders were mostly Arabs, Greeks and Turks. In the 1880's, immigrants began arriving in Texas. Christians were the first. A few Moslems came before 1945. Many left because of overpopulation, economic, religious, political, and social hardships. These immigrants contributed the Phoenician alphabet. Most were peddlers. Immigration was limited after 1924.
The Greek
The Greek communities began in the late 19th century. These were fishermen, sailors, and adventurers. On the 1860 census, only two Greeks were listed in Texas. This number has grown. The major immigration into Texas was between 1890 to 1920. Their reason for immigrating to Texas was the economic depression, overpopulation, unstable government, social pressures and wars in Greece. These immigrants settled in cities where they would benefit economically. They frequently worked in cafes until they could speak English and were able to open their own cafes or other businesses.
The first known Greek that came to Texas with Jean Lafitte, the pirate. He was known as Captain Nicholas. He settled in Galveston and lived until a few days before his 100th birthday. He perished in the 1900 storm.
The first Greek community was in Galveston. They consisted of fishermen, sailors, and merchants. They joined with Serbians, Russians, and Syrians to build the Orthodox church.
Immigration Records in Texas
There are many immigration indexes available for Texas. Many of the indexes in book form are for a specific ethinic group. There are many published lists for the ports of Texas. There are also microfilm of passenger lists available for many ports. Keep in mind that the passenger lists are located at the first port of entry. Many ships first stopped at Galveston before sailing to other ports. As well, also check New Orleans for passenger lists. This was also a common first stop before Texas.Friday, November 11, 2011
One of My Favorite Veteran Day Tributes
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
One of My Favorite Veteran Day Tributes
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Newt Gingrich IS NOT A Conservative!!!
Please consider:
He voted for $1.2 Billion for UN Peacekeepers,
He campaigned for Nelson Rockefeller and advocated reading "The Third Wave," "Creating a New Civilization," and "Future Shock," written by his good friend (Newt wrote the forward) Alvin Toffler.
Newt voted for amnesty to illegals,
Medicare Called the Real Ponzi Scheme
Rick Perry made headlines when he said Social Security was a “Ponzi scheme,” but Medicare is even more of a Ponzi scheme for most Americans, according to new research.
And Obamacare will raise the Medicare payroll tax only for those Americans who actually do pay their own way by contributing as much in Medicare taxes as they receive in benefits.
“Even though much vitriol of late has been directed at Social Security, Medicare is arguably far more of a Ponzi scheme than Social Security ever was,” said Christopher J. Conover, a research scholar at Duke University’s Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research and an adjunct scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
Writing in The American, the Journal of the American Enterprise Institute, Conover says his research shows that over a lifetime, Medicare beneficiaries typically receive from two to six dollars in benefits — depending on their marital status and other factors — for every dollar they paid in Medicare payroll taxes.
In contrast, beneficiaries who turned 65 in 2010 paid between 89 cents and $1.51 in Social Security taxes during their working years for every dollar received in Social Security benefits.
“The visceral feeling many retires or near-retirees have about Social Security — that they have ‘paid’ for those benefits through their lifetime payroll tax contributions — is much closer to being true for Social Security than it is for Medicare,” Conover observes.
Workers currently pay a 2.9 percent Medicare payroll tax. But under the healthcare reform legislation engineered by President Obama and the Democrats, beginning in 2013 the rate will rise to 3.8 percent on income above $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples filing jointly.
“Ironically, only those who were already paying their own way will see their payroll tax contributions increased by one-third under [healthcare reform]. Unless we address Medicare head-on, everyone else will continue to enjoy benefits that greatly exceed their payroll tax contributions.”