Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-08-20

The Political Status OF the Germans.
10. Eiboeck, of the Herald Of Lib
erty, is not taking much credit or
comfort in his injudicious crusade for
free whisky, and his fanatical assaults
upon all who differ with him. The
most severe set back he has received
lately was from Fred J. Meyers of the
Denison Revieac. Eibocck has been
in the habit of arrogating to himself
the character Of representative of
the German people of Iowa, and is
wont to hold over the heads of politi-
cal parties who do not choose to
adopt his insane theories upon the
liquor question, the 100000 votes"
held by the Germans of the State
A few weeks ago, Mr.. Meyers, who is
a German of ability and education,
took occasion to protest against the
idea sought to be established by Mr..
Eibocck, that Germans are welded
to but one idea in politics, that grow
ing out of the liquor issue; claiming
that the more intelligent among his
countrymen would repudiate so mar
row policy. To this temperate and
courteously expressed opinion, Ri
boeck made most savage rejoinder,
assailing Mr.. Meyers holly, and in IN
indirect manner repudlating him as a
German. In the last issue Of the
Recieac, Mr.. Meyers replies to the
screed of Eiboeck, and while preserv-
ing his courteous and dignitied man
ner, proceeds to skin him alive. lie
says:
While speaking upon this subject
we would incidentally remark, that
inasmuch as our irrascriblc friend is
Hungarian by birth, Il nationality
which is now and has been for cen
turtles hostile to the Germans, and
never belonged to the German empire,
and inasmuch as he, himself, has been
in the United States for nearly rs
many years as ourself, having been
chiefly noted as publisher of En-
glish journals, and welded the pen,
to his credit be it said, in the English
language better than in the German
to-day, he might have kept the allu-
sion to our supposed non-representa-
tive character to himself.
Our friend has moreover theory
not very charitable nor original we
confess-but yet theory, upon which
he accounts for the adherence Of Ger
mans to the Republican cause. 1t Is
this i: That all who still remain in
it's ranks are either bound to it by
gratitude for favors received, or by
the expectation of favors to come.
If theories like these are in order we
also have one based upon many years
Of observation, to account for the
apostacy of the German and other
Republicans during and since the
Greeley campaign. 1t is this: That
when every prominent leader becomes
distrusted by their followers, seedy
in fortune, dilapldated in morals and
fuddled in intellect, they sink as
naturally into the Democratic pit, as
a pig rushes into the slop barrel.
Neither Col Eiboeck's nor our own
theory may in every instance be cor
rect, and in fact, we submit ours
chiefly as Il specimen of how easily
theories can be advanced, excepting
especially our friend from its appli-
cation.
Notwithstanding the disclaimer,
the above paragraph is square blow
between the eyes of the Hungarian
gentleman who assumes to carry the
German vote in his pocket. Passing to
the general subject of the attitude of
the Germans toward the political
parties. Mr.. Meyers proceeds:
The very fact that the Democratic
Convention adopted thirteen resolu-
tons instead of but one, the license
plank, disDrovcs the assertion that
there are no other political issue, and
that our citizens have no other poll
teal duties. From the exciting
standpoint Of onr friend, this is 40
doubt true. You can hide the glori-
Gus orb Of day with glass of lager,
but it by no means follows that the
sun ceases to be in the sky.
The American nationality is not
English, Germans, Irish, nor Skandin-
avin. 1t is n new nation accepting
SO many of the characteristics of the
others as seem wholesome and mold
ing them into one and tndiyisib,e
national life. Isolation, therefore,
is a great calamity, not merely to the
nation at large, but also to tho sepa-
rate nationality that is petritied by
cIannlSnncSS.
Nor have the Germans been unsuc-
cess full in introducing many of their
cherished customs-the christmas
tree heart offering; a higher hort and
fori culture; a loftler musical taste
and Il love of the social and beautiful.
1t is not lager beer clone foY which,
thank God, the Germans are known
to America or the world. 1t is not
our Hungarian friend who is their
sole spokesman and representative.
In view Of the great work before
us and the grave duties devolving
upon all citizens alike, with no spec
ial grievance nor advancement to
any-to what ludicrous lnsigniticance
sinks the pitiful "license" issue,
And by-,he-hy, what Is . sjqdlcioQs
licensc?" Is it a $1,000 license,
as declared by Mr.. Letter and Mr..
Irish? Who is authorized to define
the most indefinite of all words stu
dicious?" 81
For years have the major lprtioh
of the Germans toilcd in New York
in the Democratic ranks. For years