Jim Flinchum of Cheyenne. wrote an editorial entitled: "Let Us Welcome the Fugitives." Mr. Flinchum. and a number of other newspapermen throughout the country. felt compelled to write similar articles. He wrote: The cries that are now going up in this country against the admission of the South Vietnamese refugees are somewhat astounding considering that they come from otherwise charitable people. Mr. President. I believe the vast majority of the American people were astounded to see some of the statements a few made against providing sanctuary for the Vietnamese. who believeand with considerable cause. looking back on recent historythat they are fleeing for their lives from the Communist conquerors. I believe some who spoke against the refugees did so from shockthe shock of seeing a people the United States had supported for a long time fall before the ruthless aggression and singleminded determination of the Communist invaders. These Americans felt some sense of shame in the fall of South Vietnam and found the easiest way to put this burden out of mind was to not have the reminders. of what they considered a failure of this country. around as neighbors. While all Americans are concerned about the economy. I do not for a moment believe that very many of those who made emotional outbursts against the refugees were equating possible slight economic hardship with the life or death of fellow human beings. And I am confident that after most of these Americans. after having some time to think matters through. will hold a calmer view more in keeping with the traditional humanitarian values that this country stands for in the eyes of the world. and that remain untarnished despite significant setbacks in Southeast Asia. I would speculate that most of the Americans who spoke out against providing sanctuary for the refugees did so out of fear for their own economic future. Their words. to me. seemed to reflect the truth of the quotation attributed to the late President Franklin Roosevelt that there is naught to fear but fear itself. President Roosevelt was warning against hysteria. and this Nation is nowhere near giving way to hysteria.
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refugees