The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-24
INCIDENTAL INTERVIEWS.


the public affairs Of the State, during casual
ago. He has tho appearance and manners Of
native American. There is nothing
in his pronunciation Of English words
30 indicate that the language Is
one which he has SPOKEN only few years,
but it must be admitted that he is rather ex-
eeptional character. He had just been asked if
there was any distinguishing reason in the race
characteristics TO mark the readiness and the
difficulty with which different classes OF Ger
mans assimilate with American ways. There are
some Germans who become thoroughly Ameri-
canized, and easily acquire the language within
few years. There are others who adhere to
the customs of their native country and never
learn to speak English without the
Teutonic accent, although their knowl-
edge Of its grammar may be
perfect. Educational advantages do not work
the difference because the German scholars
pronunciation is often more difficult than that OF
one who has little or no school education
have observed the difference. as doubtless
many others have, and have studied it," con-
tinued the Mecklenberger. II think there is
distinguishing cause, at least am led to
believe that there is by my observation. The char
acteristics Of the northern and southern Ger
mans are as widely different as those of any
people who live under the same form OF govern
ment The peasantry of northern Germany are
little less than serfs. They are the slaves OF the
noblemen and they are by education an humble
hat hsap''' there was law which pro-
hibited any man living in the country from
becoming resident of a town, without he &C
CURED residence by marrying woman who
owned property IN the town. They are, by
g. - ns.nA c%nv farn
Their beverage is coffee The Southern Ger
mans who are called the ''Schwabs" and the
Wurtemburgers are prosperous PEG,
pie They are the wine-producers, and
instead of being under the rule OF the nobility
they cultivate. They live better and they are
more independent than the northern Germans,
whom they look down upon with some contempt
The Wurtemburgers call the Meckienbergers
Low Dutch The Meeklenberg peasants are
disposed TO look up to the land-owning
'Schwabs You can understand, therefore,
the Characteristic humility of one class,
and the independent OK arrogant spirit OF the
other class. The only thing in which the Meek
lenbergers have the pride Of excelling is in their
soldiery. They are better soldiers than the
'Schwabs,' and the greatest generals have come
from among them. Butcher, Motke and Bis
marck are northern Germans. 1t is easy
to understand how the humble Mecklen-
bergers should more readily assimilate with
American ways than their prouder countrymen
from Bavaria. The Mecklenberger looks up to
American people. He wants to become like
them, and studiously adopts their customs, and
from this earnest devotion, more readily learns
their language as we'll as their ways. When
Schwsb comes to America he Immediately
begins TO advertise the fast that
he is German, and proceeds to
perpstuate in the community his coun-
fry's customs. About the first thing he does is
20 organize m@nnerchor and schuetzen-bund,
which becomes a select circle OF his own coun-
trymen. He doesn't like American ways as well
as those of his own native country, and he
than his business makes it necessary for him to
know. The Schwab is proud of his German
nationality. The Mecklenberger finds that Amer
lea is better than where he has lived.
1t is my conclusion, therefore, that the Mecklen-
berger makes better American than the Wur-
temberger It may be that l am somewhat
prejudiced in my view of the two types of char
acter because am Meckleuberger, but be-
ieve there is more to be said to the credit of us
outcasts of north Germany than our south coun-
trymen think, and have tried to find some good
in our Nazareth. believe we make better
Americans than the 'Schwabs, but they may
be better Germans"
I'm the studied refinement of funeral customs
there is one thing that the funeral directors Of
Indianapolis have overlooked, remarked an OBJ
serving gentleman, a day or two ago. 'Last
week." he said, II was present at
funeral in an Indiana town. The serv-
ice was conducted with more careful
attention to the many small details which
have much TO do with darkening the gloom of
such occasions than any that had ever wit
messed before; and one thing in particular which
impressed me, was the funeral directors dis
missal Of the funeral cortege after the services,
before proceeding to fill the grave There
is nothing that strikes so mour nfully upon
the ears as the sound of the dirt rafting upon
the cofin. The practice Of filling the grave in
the presence of the mourning friends and rela-
tives of the dead seems barbarous. tits some
thing that they should no more be allowed to see
or hear than to witness the work Of embalming
1.-THE dressing Of the corpse In many cities the
eusom has been discontinued, and there is no
reason why it should be continued here"
Martin Kruger. the LaPorte county rerpe-
sentative, and Harry Francis, editor of the
Michigan City Dispatch, were in partnership in
the insurance and real estate business several
years ago. A set of books and sign repre-
sented the firms tangible possessions when they
opened up in the spring When winter came
around Francis suggested one day
that the firm ought ,, to have a
Kruger" he said, eff you'll buy the coal" The
proposition struck Kruger favorably, as his
ready capital was limited to few dollars, and
he could afford to buy load of coal, but didn't
have money enough to purchase stove Francis
the heating Of the Office through the entire
winter. In the spring the firm dissolved part
norship, and in making out an inventory of the
property Kruger included the stove. Francis
protested that it was not partnership property.
II bought the stove" he said
well, but bought coal for it all winter, !"
Kruger argued.
That's ell right" replied Francis, 'lf there is
any coal left You can take it."
Francis sometimes tells the story as an illus
tration of the business sagacity which has made
the Michigan City Dispatch a success.
''Inotice that B. is about to get an appoint
ment rs an Indian agent" remarked Democrat
who is watching the Offices, last evening ''Yes,
and there won't be much of the agency left when
aa cata through with il y was the answer. .srhat