The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-01

Tho Germans and tho City Election.
From the vOlkSblatt.
Tho INTELlIdESCER took occasion 10 OK.
press Its disapprOvat OF our claim that the
election Of Mr.. Egertor was identical with
a success Of the German element. 1t
makes tho assertion that We, not having
an Issue at hand, forced the question OF
nationality into tho city campaign; that
Furthermore, it was certainly no wise
course on our part to purnue. Replying
to our venerable contemporary VIC have 10
aver that such assertions arc entirely
without the least foundation. II the IN.
TRLLIdESCRR would have taken special
pains to observe our course from tho be.
ginning 10 the end Of tho city campaign,
Il could not now, ConBGientioualy make
such accusations. We have repeatedly
made the, assertion that the German Citi.
zens should be above everything else
American citizens; that Rs such their
frat and most sacred duties should be
the same as those. imposed upon
the native citizen aud those Of other
nationaliLies.: II the Germans are sub.
joCt, however, TO the same obligations
aud duties, they eight to, Of course,
enjoy comparatively the same rights and
privileges with citizens 10 whose credit
stands the only itom oil preference (7) that
OF having been native born. OF their Just
privileges tho Germans would have been
deprived on many occasions II they them.
selves had offered no opposition. Our Rp.
peal 10 the Germans, to secure their righla
at all hazards, comes certainly not In con.
fllCt with the Constitution OF the United
States, and does not interfere with or re-.
dnCe tho rights and privileges Of others,
We requested the German citizens 10 ulil.
lie their votes and exert their influence
toward an equal representation lin accord.
anCe with their number OF VOtes) In the
City Council and other municipal OF.
fees. Such request on our part does
hardly incur the appellation "Know.
nOthingtsm: In case we would attempt
10 withhold the right Of representation
TO the German element, and call an en-.
deavor 10 secure such representation I'M
Just, and an Infringement upon the rights
Of others, Knownothinglsm would not
apply TO the German element, but uCh
applicationiwOuld DO well adapted 10 the
denounCer. Such an incentive would also
not promote but rather resst,the existence
OF German newspapers In the United
States, the sole object Of their existence
being anyhow to defend the interest Of the
German element In this country, and de.
mand for them q bias: Conjnnctive with all
other elements. Let us hretraC our step,
What constitutes the right OF the German
citizens In this country? Nothing more
nor less than the full enjoyment Of their
citizens rights; the full personal liberty
guarantiedj 10 them by the Constitution.
Had there been, and should there be,
always the full personal liberty dispensed
TO them, all special German In.
tefest would cease to DO existent.
The Germans do not dictate to
Others tho mode Of living nor do they
make prescriptions for others to adopt IL
certain diet. Still they ask Justly that no
Constraint be, against their will, imposed
upon them; no impeachment Of their acts
as long as such are lawful and beht de.
cent person. They, further, have jnRt
objection to any impellent movement
looking toward restriction in reference TO
their own special interests. In other
words, the spirit and tendency Of the Ger.
man element Ia decidedly In favor OF lib.
eral government, be II in the city, State or
country at large; government which
gives no preference to one class 10 the de.
trlment oil another class Of citizens. The |
Germans are not the only class striving for
liberal achievements in the management
Of public affairs, but they are directly
identified Herewith; more 30 than any
other class. That they make their exef.
lions count by securing proper representa-.
tlves In orr Legislative bodies In the city
and State, lS only practical demonBtTa.
ton Of the use which every citizen claims
As a right Of citizenship,
Let us come to a close, Before the