St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-31

face of the boys in blue who fought
SO nObly for their country.
Ii their is boy in gray
lying in this cemetery, let US decorate
his grave as OF man who was brave
and who lost his life in cause he
thought was right, but let no one wave
over his grave that flag that was the
symbol of insult to the boys in blue"
A large number OF German veterans and
others gathered at Prospect Hill ceIne-
terry to do honor to their dead comrades.
The Grafton was delivered in German by
ID. Skutsch, editor Of the Washington
journal. After eulOgiZing the German
soldiers who fell in defense of the
Union, Mr.. Skutsch turned to the con-
sideratian Of political questions and
said, in part: "Not upon the
field of honor alone are there duties
to perform sfor the patriotic citizens;
there are also duties which claim our
obedience in the calm pursuit of peace
full development Not only should our
own welfare claim our eXertion and our
attention, but there are common inter-
ests which must be preserved. If the
German element OF this country does
not wish to expose itself to the we'll
grounded charge that it places material
success abOveall other aims and objects
OF human existence, then it will have TO
devote itself to those duties in the fu-
ture in greater degree than 1t has done
heretofore. In nine great states OF this
Union. no governor. no legislature,
could be elected if they should be un-
friendly toward the just claims OF the
German element, if it would but
Assert Its Inherent Power
and nOIiticaI strength. No man could
be elevated to the Office of pres
ident of the United States by
one or the other of the two
great parties of our land who should
bear upon his brow the Gains mark of
know-nothingism. The principle of po-
litical equality upon which our entire
system OF government rests places IN
the hands of every one by far the most
powerful weapon of Self-defense mans
ingenuity ever created-the elective
franchise. Has the German element
properly appreciated this weapon? Has
it done Justice to its responsibility as an
important, integral part of this free ma
ton? A glance at the political situation
of the day will show it. We find that
this German element, one-seventh OF the
entire population of the Union. IS neltn-
er represented upon the highest Judi
cial tribunal nor in the senate OF the
United States by but single voice. We
find that among the hundreds OF repre-
sentatives from all parts of this great
land, in the national house of repre-
sentatives, hardly fiftieth part speaks
as the mother tongue those sounds so
welcome to our ears and our hearts.
Can there be valid reasons in system
of government based upon the brOadeSE
foundations of universal equality tor
such disproportionate representation OF
popular elements claiming common
rights? Truly it were better for the
German elements. as we'll as for the
fortunes of this nation, would
it but show less party fealty and
more independence in thought in
the political life surrounding it. 1t
would not then be placed IN one part OF
the country before the alternative of hay
ing its youth compelled TO employ, even
in acquiring rudimentary education,
the English language in preference or
to the exclusion of the language OF
their homes. 1t would not be asked in
another part to accent and respect laws
which originated in the narrow minds of
fanaticS-lawS which at best are but
ephemereal and prOblematlcal. 1t
would not be asked to give its approval
to narrow restrictions of the free human
right or migration by erecting barriers
against any nationality by means of un-
Just immigration laws, furthered by un-
worthy class spiriG and nOurished upon
the breast of antiquated prejudiceS.