IV.ĩ PER ASPRA AD ASTRA ^^he Italian Contribution Introduction to the Selected Directory of the Italians in Chicago in Four year ago I was asked to serve as officer in an Italian organization whose aim it was to help the Italians in Chicago attain the highest type of citizenship, becoming a blessing to the country they had come to and a source of pride to the fatherland they had left.
I hope that in the next issue the number of ITALIANS IN CHICAGO whose history I will be privileged to write will be vastly increased and that I shall reach far beyond the present scope of my personal associations, for numberless are still those whose successful efforts would be a credit to their race were they known. The greatest change has been found in the list of physicians where the amount of changes in addresses has been incredible, but they have not decreased in number.
Cigars store and beauty parlors have increased. The wholesale list has not perceptibly changed, in the retail bakers, meat markets and restaurants have been affected most. Many changes have occurred, but while in certain lines the number of business firms has decreased, the loss has been less than might have been expected. The tremendous upheaval the country has gone through has, perforce, been felt by the Italian group, but, on the whole, they have weathered the storm remarkably well. I do not claim to give information concerning all the more deserving Italians in Chicago, but I do claim that I am giving the honor roll of those Italians whom I have always found most interested in the civic work that I have carried on for years and I take this opportunity of thanking them for their continued cooperation. Ill health and other reasons have limited the number of biographical sketches. The facts have been given with the most scrupulous exactness and give a final and eloquent refutation to the distressing statement concerning the Italian issued in the pamphlet which suggested to me the need of a Directory that would give irrefutable information concerning the achievements of the Italian group. These biographies will, I hope, speak for themselves and my readers will, I trust, be as much impressed with this story of effort and achievement as I have been my self.
SANSONE CONTRO IL CORSARO NERO OK RU PROFESSIONAL
The Market Guide that served to offer more detailed information concerning the industries and the professional men listed in the Directory has this year made way to a series of biographical sketches and descriptions of firms that widen the scope of my work. Chicago, 111., 1923 R^, LISI CIPRIANIĨ PER ASPRA AD ASTRA "^he Italian Contribution The Selected Directory of the Italians in Chicago appears in its fifth issue. Refrain: We are coming, Our Fathers, For we hold this country dear, Glad to work and strive as you did, Our Fathers, we are here. Our great Italian Fathers, You who made two countries great. Let us follow' in your footsteps, Let us seek your blessed fate. Refrain: We are coming, Verrazzano, For we hold this country dear, Glad to work and strive as you did, Verrazzano, we are here. Where New York now proudly rises, Greatest city in the land.
Westward, forward, Verrazzano Landed with his daring band. Refrain: We are coming, oh Cabotto, For we hold this country dear, Glad to work and strive as you did. At the call of God, Cabotto Forged the path across the sea For the troubled Pilgrim Fathers To be great and to be free. Glad to work and strive as you did, Oh Vespucci, we are here. Refrain: We are coming, oh Vespucci, For we hold this country dear. Heaven granted through Vespucci The baptismal holy flame When he brought this wondrous country A prophetic, lordly name. Refrain: We are coming, oh Columbus, For we hold this country dear. 7 Italian-American Hymn Dedico all'italica Gente di Mare Per Aspra Ad Astra The Christ bearing dove Columbus Brought the cross unto this shore, Hallowed us for love and duty Evermore and evermore.