The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-06-25
For the Free Trader
Our German Citizens.

Similar in many respects, to the settlement of
Englsnd by the various tribes of Europe, is the
settlement going on at the present time of the
United States, with this difference: In England
it was brought about by the force Of arms, while
in this country the same result is being accom-.
plished in thoroughly peaceful and friendly
manner. The mingling of the several rationale
ties in Britain, perfected by centuries of inter.
marriage, gave to the world, what is claimed to
be by the English and their descendants, the
highest type of mankind-an Englishman. Fol.
lowing out the comparison then between the two
countries, it seems possible that superior race
in process of formation out of this heterogcn
mass of humanity migrating to our shores, and
that the American of to-day, like the Celt of
England, is but an elemen. in this race which
two thousand years of common interests under
one free government will create and perfect
Now that the back gate as we'll as the front, of
the old world is open, the characteristics of the
emigrAnts hocking to our shores must be under.
stood and judged with candor, in order that their
threatened opposition to our institutions, relig.
ious and political, may not be ascribed to a lack
OF morality on intelligence on their part, but
rather to lack of the spirit which animated
their founders. 1t is, therefore, imperative that
We Americans keep ourselves free from preju-
dice, so that in the matter of framing our laws
las the legislative power remains, as yet, in the
hands of the native born and in the regulation
OF our social life We may allow to every nation
Atty that liberty of opinion and pursuit of hap
piness, when not conflicting with the rights of
Others, that We, as earliest here, enjoyed without
opposition. The principal emigrants settling in
our immediate vicinity are the Germans and
Irish A comparison between the former and
Americans is the object Of this sketch. 1t is
Characteristic OF Americans to speak patronizing.
ly Of all foreigners, to think nothing true Or
noble that is not stamped Puritanic; to condemn
what he knows little about. In fine, he is always
sure that "his penny is good silver" and he is
everywhere found systematically ignoring every
other nationality. As far az the German is con.
cerned, this disposition is equally met, for he has
quite as much contempt for mos. of the manners
and customs Of the American as the American
Go1 lux A1iiu. Al tiie AUleElCou OUoerv3SlOu OF
the German he discovers peculiarities OF DISPOSE.
ton and character quite inconsistent with his
own ideas Of excellence. For instance, the free.
dom with which the German spends his money
for beer and amusenents, and the parsimonious.
ness with which no denies himself Injuries in.
dulged in by an American of much lower social
position, their disregard of public opinion, which
is the Americans God, and the lack of that false
display which seems inherent in the American
character, are idiosyncracies which the Ameri.
can finds it hard to forgive. But the least Oh.
iectionabls OF all foreigners seeking homes in
our midst to the Americans are the Germans.
for their distinguishing qualities are, above
every other people, love of personal industry,
economy, and an unconquerable love of learning.
These charscteristics were, in part, attributed
to them more than two thousand years ago
BY the Romans. Cesar tells US that the Ger.
mans were warlike people, valorous, of huge
stature and great strength; thaVthe young men
bore arms at fifteen in battle with their fathers
and Tasitus, in his history written as early as
the first century, says, They are pure, un.
mixed and independent race, all bearing marks
Of . distinct national character, and unlike any
other known tribe" The impression gathered
from these authors is also that they were less
superstitious than the barbarisns dwelling on
the borders of Italy or inhabiting other PORTIONS
of Europe They worshipped nature, adored the
gloom Of the woods, and its silence filled their
minds with reverence and awe. OF their laws,
Nontesqueiu says, "The British constitution
came out Of the woods Of Germany, and that
much Of what was incorporated with the institu.
tions of those fierce invaders has flowed down
the stream of time, and still mingles with the
jurisprudence of the christian world" OF their
domestic relation We are told by early historians
that marriage was considered by them sacred
institution. In a much greater degree was wo.
mans independence acknowledged than among
the other bsrbarous tribes. The equality and
consistency of the marriage relations furnished
an example which Roman satirists made fire.
quent use Of in dealing deserved censure upon
the facility with which the Roman matrimonial
vows were broken.
The German barbarian gave his wife her
dover, which consisted of household utensils
and horse, 30 that her vanity was not consult.
cd nor cultivated, but she was reminded Of her
future duties She was to DO an equal worker
in the nsw partnership, or rather reciprocity
treaty that they entered into. and ahe was to
shrink neither from toll nor danger. Contrary
to the ideas prevailing among Roman matrons,
II was deemed u misisrtuns to be ohildless. A
humorous train Of relatives was considered the