But history is not arranged to our convenience. and the test of history is how well a nation and a people fulfill their obligations in times of adversity. I am confident that our American economy will recover its vigor and strength. I hope that when economic prosperity has been regained. we can look back with pride. and not shame or regret. at our treatment of the refugees from Southeast Asia. As we in the United States enter into the observance of our Bicentennial. it might be well for us to consider how another great world power. Great Britain. handled the refugee problem caused by our own Revolutionary War. As the American colonies declared their independence and revolted against colonial rule. the British Government realized that it had an obligation to those thousands of residents in the colonies who were loyalists. who opposed the movement for independence. and who. consequently. were subject to prosecution. The British Government did not turn its back on the Loyalist residents of the colonies. but provided them transportation. land grants. and assistance in building new lives in Canada. For the English. the American Revolution was not a proud time in the history of Britain. but the British could well be proud that in that time of adversity they did not abandon their Loyalist friends. The United States is not an empire. and South Vietnam was not our colony. but our obligation to the South Vietnamese is similar. I hope very much that our assistance to the South Vietnamese refugees will be one part of our South Vietnamese involvement that we can in future years look back on with pride.
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