Bagdasar Krikor Baghdigian

              A 100 Per Cent American Speaks ...

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SUBJECTS:

THE MAGIC OF AMERICA
AMERICANISM, THE KEY TO UNIVERSAL PEACE
WHEN FIRED, YOU ARE PROMOTED
AMERICANS, UNAMERICANS — HOW DO WE MAKE THEM?

SUBJECTS OF VITAL INTEREST TO ALL THINKING PERSONS A MOVING FORCE FOR THE PRESERV ATION OF AMERICAN IDEALS AND INSTITUTIONS



BAGDASAR K. BAGHDIGIAN Author · Lecturer
A 100% AMERICAN.  Born to Wealth.  Brought up in Poverty.  A Man who has risen from the Darkness of Persecution to the Enjoyment and Realization of Freedom.



What Baghdigian has done:
Born in Armenia of well-to-do parents, Bagdasar K. Baghdigian survived a massacre which spared few of his neighbors, and while still a small boy took refuge with friendly Kurdish tribes in Asia Minor.  After many narrow escapes and thrilling adventures, he arrived in America in 1904 with only 93 cents, almost completely ignorant of the English language, but with a burning desire for knowledge and freedom.  Largely by his own efforts, Baghdigian obtained a splendid education, attending grammar school, high school and university.

From the start of his active career Baghdigian has been motivated by his keen appreciation of the opportunities which he found in his adopted country, and by his desire to awaken in the hearts of others a true sense of values concerning the advantages which all Americans enjoy, and to which so little thought is given by the great majority.  Early in his career, the opportunity arose to speak on the lecture platform, and since that time Baghdigian has appeared before audiences in practically every State west of the Mississippi.  Throughout his struggle, Baghdigian has felt the power and encouragement of invisible forces, always at his shoulder, and always supplying power and encouragement.  At times this feeling has been so strong that he has seemed merely a channel for that tremendous intangible current which has carried our nation to the forefront in world affairs within a few short years, and which is represented by American Idealism, American Opportunities, and the encouragement accorded to those who struggle to maintain these against all opposition.

Not only has Baghdigian spoken and lectured in behalf of his ideals of Americanism and Democracy, but his writings on the subject have been well received, and have evoked much favorable comment.  His Essentials of Americanization, was written for the purpose of teaching the ideals of America to the foreign-born while they were learning English.  Other works include:

The Psalms of a Naturalized American

Americanism in Americanization




What Baghdigian has said:
America is a spiritual sanctuary.  Either the spirit of America must prevail in our lives or this sanctuary loses its sanctity.  Which shall it be?  The lives we live daily is the answer which determines the measure of our patriotism.

Our government cannot function automatically.  We, the citizens, are its operators.  We are at the wheel and we can steer the machine where we want it to go.

We need in America an educated, a cultured, a wide-awake citizenry, who think for themselves and function their political responsibilities to insure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for their fellowmen.  Thus bringing to pass the very purpose of our government.

Without the exercise of intelligent citizenship it is impossible to prove the practicality, the desirability, the need and the advantage of our political theory.

This brings us to the conclusion that American citizenship is the highest type of profession.  When we measure up to our political principle we automatically insure our prosperity, our freedom and every other inherent right.  Our freedom, our privileges and our prosperity are then mere effects.  The cause back of them is Americanism.

The blessing of this government to us is in direct proportion to our intelligent use of our citizenship rights.  Its destiny is in our hands.  A responsible and an enlightened citizenry is its spiritual guardian.



What Others say of Baghdigian:

The books are informed with a patriotism which stands firm upon reason, and which yet, in its passionate earnestness, sometimes reaches an almost ecstatic utterance....—
New York Evening Post.


Imbued with the spirit and with love and reverence for America unbounded, Baghdigian has written his 'Essentials of Americanization' that, as he says, may 'unlock the treasures of democracy' for those not born upon our shore....—
St. Louis Star.

In this day of Americanization of the foreign-born in our land all possible help and suggestion is welcomed.  The finest contribution along this line, which has come to my desk, is a little book entitled, 'Essentials of Americanization....—Missouri Counselor.


The lecture by Bagdasar Baghdigian was one of the best talks on American citizenship we have heard, and if we could all get the spirit of Americanism that prevails in the life of this young Armenian, America would be a far greater nation than it now is.—
The Kalona (Iowa) News.


To teach English to Americans in the making, meanwhile showing them what makes America, is the purpose of Mr. Baghdigian's book, 'Essentials of Americanization'.  His idea of what it is that makes America gives it an interest beyond its textbook value.—
New York Evening Post.


Baghdigian is performing a great work and is giving his adopted country a service which cannot be repaid.—
Seward (Nebraska) Independent-Democrat.


Mr. Baghdigian is forceful, full of life and energy and has a message all true Americans should hear, and he presents it in a manner to hold the closest attention of his hearers.—
North Loop (Nebraska) Loyalist.


That blazing star of courage in a world of cowardice, Bagdasar K. Baghdigian, with his lecture on Americanism, is one that is worth the price of a season's ticket.—
The Cass Lake (Minnesota) Times.



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