Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-09-21
The Germans.

The people of Pennsylvania take pride in a
bold and manly avowal of principle To be
| honest is a part of German character and
this class Of our citizens look for it in politics,
as well as in the common and ordinary pur-
suits of life. a large portion of our citizens
are Germans, and who expects their sufrages
must not screen himself behind the mysterious
operations of an association whose principles
would strike them down without cause We
do not speak of Germans of foreign birth
merely, but also those whose native ancestry
date back to period antecedent to the Revo-
luton Our National Independence brought
with it the right of emigration right to
worship God according to the dictates of con-
science-the right of free speech, dc, and to
say that the descendant of German who
had assisted in producing this result, would
stand by the grave of his ancestor and declare
he had fought for principles which are a curse
to the country, would be libel apon the
German character To sever the ties which
bind man to his native land-to break up
the associations of his early life, is not so
easy as some imagine. There must be some
powerful inducement, and when this induce
ment is the enjoyment of the freedom of our
institutions, it is base fraud to suppose that
they would contribute aught to their destrue-
ton
At this day, no one sees so well and clear
ly the value of our institutions, as he whose
lot has been cast in a country less favored,
Bound down by the CALLING yoke of tyranny,
he sighs for the freedom which we enjoy and
longs to be citizen where he can exercise
the rights of a human beiug Instances are
rare of slaves released from slavery. returning
again to state of bondage. 1t is so with
nlnety-nine to this country. Released from
the control of governments which make the
poor classes worse than the slaves of our own
Southern States, they would not willingly re-
turn again to that bondage, nor would they
lend their aid in so changing the institutions
of this country as to destroy the liberties of
the masses. They understand well the value
of American liberty, and they would die in
its defence as soon as native born. The
history of our Revolution-the war of 1872
'13, and the war with Mexico proves this
The fear therefore expressed by some, of TO
reign influence is unfounded, and is only
made use of for the benefit of a political
party.
We have said that the German character
was that of honesty. 1t is true, and will de-
mand at the hands of Mr.. Pollock the Wing
candidate for Governor, a candid avowal of
his sentiments in regard to the Know Nothing
order. If they and their children are to be
excluded from all participation in the Offices
of the Government-if the Constitution of
this State and the United States are to be
violated to their serious injury, and to crafty
the disappointment of men, whose principle
is rule or ruin they wish to know it, in
order that when the election comes, they will
also know how to vote 1t may be principle |
with Wings to call the Germans dumb |
Dutch" but short time viii tell that they
know how to treat those who join secret
political associations, to put them down. Let |
Nr. Pollock like an honest man, come out /
and tell the people what he is, and in what |
te believes. Nay. if Wings were honest,
they would call their candidate out, and de-
mand from him an honest avowal of political
sentiment Trickery will no longer do. Such
a game has been played too often. 1t has
lost its virtue. and politicians to succeed must
be honest. Platform.