The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-13
AN ADDRESS TO GERMANS.
Arrangement of the Indiana Democracy by
the German-A American Society,


addresses the Germans OF the State OF lndlaua
with brief discussion of the political situation;
During the last few years the efforts of the
Prohibitionists have ahenated many Tetinan
Republicans from their party. In local elections
we find this justified but not in national cleo
ton for in Democratic States like Georgia,
Maryland Kentucky, etc, prohibition Is just as
much at home as in Republican States.
The great mass of people seem to think the
Germans had cause to be very grateful to the
Democrats for the non-passing of the prohibition
amendment. To show that this is not the case
we will consider the events of that time for
few moments.
In 1881 the Legislature of Indiana passed
prohibition amendment Upon that the Ger
mans organized the Anti-prohibtion League
Thereupon the next Republican State conven
ton decided to bring the amendment forward
for general vote.
The endeavors of the Anti prohibition League
of the Republican party to get an unamolguous
declaration against prohloluon were 5g
through the opposition of the present candidate
for Governor, Isaac P. Gray The platform be
came very ambiguous, but their leaders like
Voorhees, Hendricks, Mcdonald and others,
openly declared in their speeches that the plat,
form was a declaration against prohibition, and
promised to overthrow the amendmen1 Accord.
ing to this promise, the German Republicans OF
the State supported the Democrats, and that so
successfully that all State positions fell into the
hands of the Democrats Both houses of the
Legislature had Democratic majority. SO it
was fully in the power of the party to overthrow
the amendment 1t owed its overthrow to the
German Republicans.
Instead of that, the Democrats declared it to
the interest of their party to accept the amend
ment They calculated in this way: The Re
publicans will vote for the acceptance OF the
amendment but, as they have the minority,
il is necessary that number of Democrats
should vote for it. When the amendment Is
accepted in this way the Democrats calculated
the blame will be attached to the Republicans
and they will lose the German vote forever.
NIL ipolxr ia6 OI1tf haIp
plan. When the votes were cast in the House of
Representatives So voted for and 81 against.
House with Democratic majority had accord
ingly accepted the amendment.
But for the acceptance of the amendment the
Senate was necessary, and here the plan of the
Democrats was frustrated, not for any lack OF
good will but because of little mistake they
had not counted just right. They had detailed
five senators to vote for the amendment They
thought this would be sufficient to have it pass
with one vote majority. Among these five there
was even one German They had counted that
the Republican Senator Youche, OF Crown
Point, would vote for the amendment. Hereby
the sly and tricky plan Of the Democrats was
frustrated and the amendment was rejected
with majority of one vote
; II that is not treachery and breach of trust,
what is it, And what trust in regard to the
temperance question be put in the Demo
cratic party, if anything like this can happen at
such a time, this was the only question which
was to be considered Who can doubt that the
:
cept their own interests, and that to favor them
they are ready to introduce prohibition law!
Who can or will think that two years ago the
rejection of the amendment was due to the Dem
-ocrats2 And are we not Justified to take Tor
granted that the Democrats will repeat this at
fair and will wrong us all the more by Demo
craUic victory What reason have the German
Republicans to support the Democrats, i'll view
, of such probability
We, the Germans, have come to this country
to gain for US better home, more indie
pendence, a better livelihood, and most
of US have found what we hoped for.
We enjoy the protection of law, and we have
the same rights as the native-born Americans.
For this we are under obligations to work for
the welfare of the land which has become our
new home and all our fellow citizens. We are
a part of the American Nation, and not sep
arate class.
Under such considerations can it agree with
our conscences and our duties as citizens to al
low q party to rule whose tendency for free
trade threatens the welfare of our country With
impatience foreign countries await victory of
their efforts to establish free trade. If the Dem
Ocratic party should be victorious it would bene-
fit the interests of trade and industry of foreign
countries. but would harm US. Our industry
would be destroyed, and workmen would be
compelled to compete with the more poorly paid
European workmen great number of in
dustrial workmen would be compelled to resort
TO agriculture, and we would have to find
market in foreign countries for our agricultural
harmed The yield of his fields would not be
sufficient to provide for his maintenance.
Even if it is not all as it should be-there is
nothing perfect on earth-still America Is now
the most blessed country and the American peo-
pie the happiest on earth. How many thousands
of German laborers and peasants who have left
their native home to escape the unfortunate
condition of their country, have gained spot of
ground and have built for themselves a home.
And this was done under the protection of a
duty system which has been existing for the
past twenty FIVE years. Abolish this system and
1--WE must necessarily have European conditions.
The Democratic party does not give us any
guarantee that the system will not be abolished
The Democratic party is not trust-inspiring.
In the great war which the Nation carried on,
their leaders have supported the enemy of the
Nation with word and deed The man who dis
suaded the people from fighting the rebellion, who
was against every allowance ofmeans with which
to conduct the war, is to-day the Democratic
Candidate for the vice presidency. The Demo
cratic party Is oday the same as it YVES ten and
twenty years ago. Its history cannot be wiped
out, and the everlasting damage it has caused
q this country will not be forgotten. Sometimes
the voice of reform is raised, but when it is
time to reform they do not feel inclined to do so.
The civil-service reformer Pendleton they
have put aside; their best men like Bayard,
Thurman, Mcdonald, they have put aside to
allow man of chance to become their candi-
date. This does not look much like reform
And in spite of all this, many Germans in the
State believe themselves compelled to give their
votes to the Democratic party on account of the
temperance question. We showed at the be-
ginning of this address that the Democratic par
~ does not deserve confidence. They will sacri-
fee anything for the sake of party interest
The Republicans have treated the Prohibi-
Zionist in such a manner that they saw
lit to nominate their own candidate
The Republicans are trying their best to shake
OH the temperance men. The nomination of
Mr.. Calkins, one of the most liberal men, has
enraged the temperance meu; they do not hest
tate to announce this openly; that they will
tionists would instill them with the idea that
they are indispensable 10 the Republican party
Shall assist the temperance party and force
the Republicans INTO their ranks! Is that to our