The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-10-15
The Germanic Movement.

| The Gcrmanic Movement.
There is at this time, very general and
wide spread admovement among that portion
Of our population speaking the German
and cognate languages, toward the forma-
tion and organization of Political Party
or, as it is styled, a German Party of Pro
gress. This movement is made with the
implied, if not expressed intention, of Ia
king part as distinct party, in political
contests. The movement exhibits differ
ent phases in different places, more or less
modified by local circumstances. In Gin
cinnati, as near as we can learn, it appears
partly under the form of Society for the
promnlg CATION of the doctrines Of Social
ism, Rationalism, and kindred delusions.
In New York City, it is seen in organi-
cations for mutual defence, against the
rowdy population of that city; and in va
rious societies for various objects. In St.
Louis, the demonstrations have been the
most pronounced. There, all we state in
the first sentences of this article, has been
openly avowed and advocated in a Ger
man newspaper, of large circulation. In
st. Louis, there seems to have been a
quarrel, between the Catholics and Ration
alist Germans. which has led to prcma-
ture development of the scheme, and there
the movement las exhibited great degree
Of virulcnce. In the progress of its dis
cussion, it has drawn in variety of local
matters that are of no consequence out Of
that city. The movement seems TO be
honest, sober, earnest, and gencral-but
whence its origin and what will be its re-
suit?
We see that the self-stylcd democratic
newspapers are in great alarm at this
movement. They act as if they felt their
bread and butter was in danger. They
are eloquent. They warn, they coax, they
advise the Democratic Germans, as they
call them. They loudly dcnounce the
movement, because they are conscious of
its origin. They apprehcnd its signii-
cancc and comprehend the magnitude of
its results, so far rs thoy concerned.
These newspapers claim large majority
of the Germans as democrats. 1t is true,
that to great extent the German vote
has been thrown with that of the Demo-
cratic party. This is owing no doubt to
the fact, that almost every German polit-
ical paper in the country is in their hands,
and is governed by the kind of influence
they exercise. In them, the most SLAM
derous lies are told of the Wings and the
Whig party; they are characterized as
aristocrats, robbers of the poor, and fac
similes of the tyrants left behind in Faith
erland while the most ridiculous claims
are set up for the Democratic party, as be-
ing the representative of Progress and
friend of the poor. There are no German
Wing papers to refute these slanders, and
expose these absurdities, and the German,
stranger in strange land, is deceived.
But time is the avenger, and will correct
all these wrongs. The great Germanic
population, speedily acquiring knowl
edge of this country, its constitution and
its laws, its parties and their principles,
will soon see how infamously they have
been deceived, and repudiate Locofocoism
with Indignation. Deceived by one party,
they have natural suspicion of all parties.
and with honest intentions try to organize
a party of their own. A little further ac-
quain,ancc with the spirit of our institu-
tions, and the character of our whole pco-
pie, would probably have prevented such
a movement, which can never become ef-
ficicnt for reform.
The German Party of Progress we think
can never achieve any more than chance,
or momentary influence. Such an organ
ization is repugnant to the universal pub
lie sentiment. The organization would
meet combined front from all other par
ties, Wing and Democrat may have diff
crences, but those would be forgotten in
uniting against any such suicidal section
alism as here indicated, and overcome it at
once. The stormy rise, disgraccful pro-
gross, and contemplate end of the Native
American party is full of significance. A
lesson was there taught, not to be forgot
ten. 1t may be necessary to teach SIM
liar one TO party organized on dametr-
cally opposite grounds. We wait the pro-
grcss of this movement, confident that the
robust German mind will see at an early
day, that the Wing party, in all that re-
lates to the political well-being of man, is
the true Party Of Progress.-Galena i'd
uertiser.