Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-10-18
Sheenaksr's Know Nothing CIR
cular. s.

oeio"s tvF iutufc USE tnc AnoW <otutnS
Circular issued by Mr.. John M. Shoema-
ker on the eve Of the election. for the pur-
pose Of influencing the German voters
BE appeals. it viii be seen. to the Ger
mans to vote fol him because he is fellow
countryman. What is this but another
phase Of Know Nothingism? Had his op-
nent appealed to native citizens to vote
for him because he was fellow country
man. what cry would have been raised
about his Know Nothingism? And yet,
what is the difference? Is it any worse
for an American to prefer one of his own
ccuntrymen than it is for a German to
prefer German? The principle, it APP
pears to MS. is the same in both cases, aud
sho uld be condemned by every right-mind-
ed man, as nothing bat evil could result
from its adoption to both classes.
We night speak Of Mr.. Shoemaker
unfair and dishonorable course toward his
opponent in publishing and circulating
such document upon the eve ofthe elcc-
ton. in a sly and stealthy way. embody-
ing as it does couple Of scrions charges.
but, as the election is over and the result
highly satisfactory to our side. we leave
Mr.. s. to his own bitter reflections, and
the reader to draw his own deductions af-
ter pcrusing the circular Here { is:
Appeal to I he German Voters Of MARSHALL
County.
My GERMAN FELLOW CITIZENS:
1t is an act
Of justice to you and to myself to thus APP
peal to you from various motives.
Ever since the moment of my nominal
ton for the Office Of County Treasurer have
| been slaDdcred and DETAINED through false
reports. Lies are circulated by persons
who have long been known in the county
as politicians, and who we'll understand
the business. am no politician, no Office
hunter. and this is my best and only de-
tense against such false repo is. A prcju-
dice is raised against me with many Amer
leans and some Irishmen because am a
German. / viii thereby lose many votes
and l know only one way. one remedy to
regain the votes lost by the effects of the
influence Of political intrigucrs. l must
appeal to the patriotism and the honesty
Of my German countrymen. and to entreat
them to make up for those votes that ]
must lose on the grounds that am Ger
man.
/ do not come to you secretly, DO not
sneak about with fine promises and flatter-
les. nor do try to dcfame the character Of
my opponent by untruths. Those are
tricks oil class Of politicians. to which |
do not belong. know and esteem the
intelligence. and the love Of honesty and
impartiality Of my German fellow citizens,
l therefore appeal to you openly; than not
to be elected by honorable means, | would
rather be defeated.
Iappeal to you as my conntrymcn. and
as having common feelings and interests
with me. You will not turn on me, be-
cause was born on German ground. You
will bear no prejudice against me because
| am German. / know your love for
our native land. where our fathers and
mothers dwelt. where now our nearest rel
atives live. i cannot think that you will
drop me, just because l am German.
1t is said the Know Nothing party was
dead, but the voters Of it still live. Can
you believe that single one of them would
vote for me? Would these men not pre-
fer to vote for somebody whom they call
brother in their lodges? Will you assist
these men. who belong to an organization
that Intentionally and cruelty murdered
our brothers in the streets of New Orleans,
Baltimore and Louisville? who with dark
lanterns congregated in cellars at midnight
and conspircd against our rights and our
lives? Whose first principle is Death
to foreigners and down with the Germans. /"
ask you whether you will support
those men who try to break me down be-
cause / am German. belong to those
which are hated by them. Whether Re-
publican or Democrat. the man who once
belonged to Kaow- Nothing Lodge will
vote against me; the party seems dead but
the principles still live in the breasts oil
all former members. VIII you unite with
them, German fellow citizens. in a war
against the foreigners or will yon support
your countryman against your enemies?
| You all know the misfortunes that have
followed me since l have lived in yonr
midst. Three times was | robbed By
thieves and once my property was destroyed
by irc.--thus / lost the fruits of long
years labor. and am poor. While my
opponent quietly and in affluence eat and
slept. have labored day and night to pay
my debts and support my family. Should
l have any lnck at all. or at least be
spared from misfortune. l will pay every
cent l owe. Is it wrong to support me in
consideration Of my misfor.unes? The
losses and misfortunes which befel me did
not suffice the malice of my enemies
While labored diligently to earn enough
money to liquiiate my debts. they laborcd
to ruin my business and to destroy my
good character. the only thing that was
left me.
AT midnight was robbed by the thief oil
my property acquired by the sweat Of my
brow-the cunning. heartless thief went by
daylight and tricd to rob me Of my good
reputation which / have well maintained
for years. II must he difficult for brave
and warm-hcartei people as You are-and
even our enemies concede that the Ger.
mans are an honest class Of people. whose