The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-10-08


free day. Though even he who does not give
| Scholz or such other places his Sundays
| tribute Of devotion, fares badly with the church
! going American, though he spends his Sab
| bath at home with music, mental work or
other easy occupations. Well, we cannot be
blamed IL we have been raised SO, It has not
| been taught us from childhood that we can
not enter heaven if we offend the holy Sab
bath in such an inhuman way.
The Americans, on the other hand, are also
not responsible that they through centuries
have been brought up differently. This state
Of things, which has, Of course, nothing to do
| with real, true devotion, has brought much
trouble, and is not the smallest reason why
the American does not like the German. II
is not my intention to go into the philosophy
Of the question. wish only TO hint at some
facts. l may have forgotten great deal Of
what the American does not approve in the
German, but the principal reason think
have given, and so now let us go over to the
second part Of my speech-that part which
| shall explain what we Germans find fault with
the Americans. Out Of modesty we will be
very brief
Ii is clearly set forth in everything
| | have Just said that all is adapt
ed to operate in different directions.
| What the American dislkes in us is not GUS
tomary with him, we dislike that, and he takes
this amiss, consequently we do not harmonic.
| The American is especially, according to the
/ newcomers Judgment, too smart" He is
/ not conscientious and modest in his own in
terests with the dealings with others Of whom
he can easily get ahead Of, since he is ac-
/ quainted with the language and manners, and
in this way he takes the scream" of every
| thing, consequently the great mass OF new
corners have a sacred fear to enter in business
with him. The American is Just as honest
and righteous as any other nationality, but he
| is the superior to us newcomers in trade. He
is acquainted with the language Of the country
| aud the application OF the laws, and although
he may not transgress the boundary Of dis
honesty, he knows how to get at II skillfully
and advantageously out Of every affair.
| Let 1t be said that the Americanized Ger
man is perhaps the worst one. Here we
laugh at one who has been duped, while un-
der all circumstances the impostor, in the old
country, would be, If not lawfully, yet socially
! prosecuted. In the same respect the German
is indignant at the tom-foolery played
with the criminals and at the want Of solidity
in justice and lawfulness. This righteousness
is here mostly empty talk, and seems adapted
especially for the lawyers and their purses.
When the German sees how nicely the crimi-
mails are treated, how they are raised to
heroes with the kindest consideration, adj
mtted into society after they have escaped
deserved punishment, then the German
greenhon gets in bad spirits and he
does not quite understand the connec-
ton OF the church and the Sunday hypocrisy.
Now let us go on. The German woman re-
proves the American that she fears real work
and cares too much for dress In this point
/ take the position between both Of them, as
have already said above. | think the Ger
man woman could be less particular and the
American should economic a little MORE In
general like 10 see neatly and nicely, not ex-
aggerated, but nrtistcally well arranged ladies'
robes, and in this the American ladies have
acknowledged taste, and II | have the oppor-
tunity of pressing lady's hand would prefer
a real nice, soft, like velvet, to the rough, hard
one, though it be ever SO honest. On the
whole, believe that compromise between
both in work would bring good results.
Another reproof that the German makes the
American is indulgence toward the women.
1t appears TO the German as IL the American
man, in presence OF ladies', ceases TO be man;
for instance, we see this in the prohibition
question. fyou meet such a man alone he
explains the whole thing as nonsense and
joins you in drink; but as soon as he sees
ladies he winces, is ashamed Of himself, and
in the Legislature or in other public places
where he is observed by the ladies he seldom
has energy and sef-con6dence enough to act
according TO his own conviction. In all pub
lie affairs his sense for practical use, errone-
ously often called common sense, decides,
while we Germans are wont to act according
TO our own reflection and conviction. Al
though do not wish to say that this mode is
always the wiser and more correct But we
try to do our best and are proud
that we have an opinion Of our own
which usually does not turn out a
great profit TO the community in general.
Also in religious matters a good deal is
} hypocrisy which we upbraid in our American
brothers. Among them are more free think
ing people that have freed themselves of
the question and answer lessons Of Sunday
schools than is generally believed. But only
a few steps forward the larger number out Of
comfort and habit, and in regard to their
wives, submit to all which their church pre-
scribes, il practical, material interests do not
, bring change. We Germans are, for the
most part, also a church-going people,
but we do not turn everything and all in life
: into church matters as the American. We
/ give to the church its sufficient rights, but do
: not want its interference where it has, and
should have, nothing to do. The Americans
t often give festivals, and sometimes very friv-
! olous ones, for church objects, according 10
, my opinion disadvantageous and injurious to
Y the cause of religion.
] There is another point that have to men
ton what the educated German misses in the
I American (ths applies only to the men for
e the ladies are their superior in this) although
j this is daily improving, and this is the under
standing Tor art. The American is SO emf
/, nently practical that he does not value art the
: establishment, the adornment OF life, sufii-
!. GENTLY, while we poor Germans had to seek
d much in this to make the material want more
!, bearable. For these reasons the German feels
n more comfortable in German society," because
S he feels and knows himself understood on this
: side Of life, while he on the other hand often
! meets with tabular rasa. This love for arr
u and the ideal sentiment that it brings with it
y makes the people more social and agreeable
e They do not mistrust each other, as here
e where nothing else is thought OF bui
S how one can improve his own materia
It interests, and that is naturally brought abou
n at the expense Of the fellow-companion. Sc
: now the Americans have also their share
d And If in general have been correct in my
e assertions, why do we at all question our
kaNk 49,. A