The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-02-13
RACE PRIDE.

From the Victoria Deutsche.
/ Exhibitions of race pride are constantly in
creasing among educated Americans of Ger
man extraction. One of these was by the i'm
mortal Garfield, who, on the occasion of the
eulogistic speeches delivered in memory OF
Gustav Schleicher in the United States Con-
gres,s delivered dithyrambic song of praise
in honor of "Germania" the goddess of Ger
man nationality. The words of Garfield sur
prised many at that time and were received
and applauded throughout by the German
press. Anglo Saxon pride was nourished in
this country, where it has raised and devel-
oped itself into a mighty power.
Even at the time Of Shakespeare, when the
Anglo Saxon element had gained the accend-
ancy in language, Jurisprudence and govern
ment, this hatred race was unknown to the
people. After freedom once more regained
it is natural to ask who were these Anglo
Saxons and hence we often find in later times
praise for the Germans from an unexpected
source, for "blood will tell" When on the
9Th of January last the Democrats of
Worcester. Ohio, had celebration of the
battle of New Orleans, 10 and behold Mr..
McSweeney, prominent attorney, delivered
an Grafton in the German language, but this
was made more remarkable owing to its con-
tents than the fact that it was delivered by an
American.
Mr.. McSweeney spoke of the love of liberty
of the Germans and said "Liberty is older
with the Germans than slavery. 1t was and is
in our nature, in our national character,
it grows, although seemingly fading, yet
growing again more fresh than ever.
Freedom or liberty, says the Roman poet,
Lucanus, is Germans supreme domain
(libertas Germantown bonum). The Roman
historian, Florus, says: 1t is a wonder that
the Germans have by nature what the Greeks
only reached by science. The English histo-
rian, Hume, says: All that is left in this world
q liberty, honor, nobility and dignity, we
have to credit to the magnanimity of the Ger
man character. Liberty, says Montesquieu,
was discovered in the German forests" Mr..
McSweeney, in speaking of the late election,
remarked: "The vote of the Germans at the
ballot box saved the people from the conse-
quences of unbearable tyranncal madness, and
as long as their vote can be felt at the ballot
box for right, freedom and justice the welfare
and happiness of the institutions of this
country will not be endangered. Like
their ancient ancestors in their original virgin
forests they are imbued with the same spirit,
always ready to not alone sacrifice worldly
possessions, but life on the altar of freedom
and Justice"
Some may see the demagogue in this speech
and the attempt to make German votes. We
consider the subject from another point of
view. 1t is like other occurrences sign pro-
phetic of the near future. Germans will be
acknowledged in their full value and honored
as such and will continually increase.
Where is the aristocratic pride of the Eng
lish Normans who were so powerful during
the middle ages ;? 1t has been cleared away
by the pride of the Saxon, and this Saxon's
pride is German pride. Who ever has lived in
this country for the last IS years will
have noticed big change in regard to the
Germans. for expressions and opinions like
Garheld's and McSweeney's were unheard of
20 years ago.