National Republican., 1880-03-13
Grant and tho German Vote.

To The Editor of The National Republican:
SIR The statements published in various
newspapers for the purpose OF proclalming TO
tho Nation that the German element of the
Republican party was opposed to the nomina-
tion of General u. s. Grant, and, ther, that
they the Germans, would not vote for him If
nominated, are calumny upon that class of
citizens to which we belong, and call for our
refutation. Such Misrepresentation of facts
are the work Of demagogues-ambitious mem
who, over.cstimating their power and inau-
encc, pretend to speak dictatorially for n
| large class of citizens, First, IL is false and
bare of truth that tho citizens of German
nativity formed a separate element or body
| in party politics, or so-called clan, that has
| its special leaders, and is led and commanded
by them at pleasure. Tho Germans are indi-
vidually members Of the different political
organizations, according TO their individual
Judgment and inclination, no more nor less
than any other class of citizens, be they the
descendants of tho immigrants of two hum
drcd and sixty years past or citizons of other
nativity which made this country their home.
We repeat that there Is no such element or
clan in existence here, and we refute the as
sumption of selfasserted leaders to speak for
so large a class of citizens.
We have--that is the majority Of us-stead-
fastly adhered to the Republican party, the
party of progress, and form now part thereof,
but not as q clan; no, us individual members.
1t has been inferred by citizens of prominence
that because ut public meetings we had poit-
cal questions discussed in our mother tongue
by certain gifted men, and on account of the
majority of the Germans adhering to the Re-
publican party, that they formed separate
element, or a body organized with its regular
leaders Such is great error. 1t is but
natural for many of us to hear public matters
discussed in language with which wo are
most familiar. That some Of the prominent
among us were raised to public offices of in
| lluonce and trust, not once or twice. but
oftencr through our votes which they did not
receive on account of nativity, but because
| they were considered worthy, docs not noces-
sarily constitute us separate element from
| the balance of citizens.
We have 10 objection to any adminstra-
| tion raising men of our nativity 10 high pub
| lie functions; but let such not be done as re.
ward for services rendered MS leaders of
strong separate clement. We assisted during
the last Presidential election the same as tho
rest of Republican citizens, not at the dicta-
tion of presum ptuous men, not as a herd fol-
lowing leader.
This over-valuing of services seems to have
reaped its reward Such men, not satisfied
with the honors heaped upon them, have had
| their vanity raised to such a pitch that they
now, without any authority whatever pub.
| licly proclaim "the German clement will not
| upport or vote for General Grant"
| Let these men beware, let them heed warn
| ing in time, or instead of holding lofty posi-
tions, they be buried in political oblivion, and
once respected and esteemed, be despised.
| The cloven foot has protruded from beneath,
| personal animosities have been perceived to
underlic these repeated attacks on Grant. We
come from just people, have Joined just
people, aud shall soc justice done. We do not
believe in the absurd ideas regarding q die.
tatorship and other dangers predicted to tho
liberties of this Nation. We have found GEN
cral Grant frst-class citizen, n great soldier,
and true and honorable man, who would hold
| the rudder Of State with steady hand and
| fully believe that if nominated he will surely
be elected, in which we will nssist to the best
of our power not as part of an element, but
as individuals.
During the trying times through which tho
Republican party will have to pass in the
near future the majority OF American citizens
| of German nativity will faithfully adhere to
their colors; be the action of tho Chicago Con,
venton for General Grant, Blaine or Sherman,
it still is the party Of progress. There will be
no laggards or renegades among MS at a
time when the solid front of our political nd.
versary Is approaching and we'll knowing of
what elements tho compactest phalanx in
their lines is composed OF, who or what set oi
men dare to intimate that German Republicans
would desert their party?
The above are the opinions Of majority OF
Germans in different sections of the United
States, many of whom herewith make them
public, ARMINIUs.