, 1891-05-12

trust and influence. Everywhere they
illustrated the value and the sure reward
of economy and steady work.
Thus before the American nation had
lived one hundred years, our German
population had grown to millions, and
constituted an important ingredient in the
mass of American activity. Then there
came a time when the government of the
country Of their adoption was assaulted
by rebellious hands; and then our German
fellow citizens had presented to them al
opportunity to prove the depth and
breadth of their attachment to the land
in which they lived and wrought, and to
exhibit how completely they had become
patriotic American citizens. They allowed
not a moment for uncertainty but Hooked
by thousands to the standard OF the
Union and bravely devoted themselves to
its defence. In every battle the German
soldiers fought with courage and per
sistence and died with fortitude. This
common baptism of blood and this part
nership in peril, brought closer together
every element of our people and made
them all-more than ever and In every
sense-Americaus. This leads me to say
t'.at any opposing claims to ownership in
the valuable traits of German character.
III u a IAN ARAAAl OAAAa Nv NAN " AA
begrudge the satisfaction to be derived
from analyzing these elements and estab-
fishing their German origin; and all will
cOncede that the more they are cultivated
the more our country will gain. But
when all this Is done, let us call these
traits, so far as they are here exhibited,
American. They have been with Us
since our beginning; they have Influenced
every day of our country's life; they are
among the traits which our government
was formed to foster. and they are cs-
sential to our country safety and pros
peritY.
| hardly think there is any city in the
land that should appreciate the value of
German reputation better than Buffalo.
On every side, within your limits, are
seen the evidences OF the thrift of your
German lellow-townsmen and
of their industry aud enterprise. No one
can dispute their contribution to your
immense municipal growth, and you do
well to recognize it IN the selection of
these charged with the administration of
| your city government. Even now there
stands at its head, performing his duties
acceptablY TO the entire community, one
who has won his way to the confidence OF
his fellow citizens. solely by the German
American traits of honesty, industry and
economy. | know that he will forgive
me for saying that when | knew him first
not many years ago. he was occupying an
honorable but very humble position and
gave no symptoms OF his present prOni-
nence. | will not dispute the right ofany-
one to call him a German: but | claim the
satisfaction OF calling this old friend of
mine also a first-rate American.
l., fba Euht nF tba gnuraaf1nn haNrn
made. it a pleasant thing to learn the
significant fact. that the membership OF
the German Young Mems Association is
quite largely made up of those who have
no title 90 German Darentage or origin.
| cannot resist the temptation TO intro
duce here the thought that no such asso-
citation can exist and escape a responsible
itY to our people and our government.
Wherever our cOuntrymen are gathered
together with the proiessed purpose OF
mutual improvement or in furtherance of
any useful object, they ought to do some
thing for their country. Its welfare and
progress depend 30 clearly upon what the
people are taught and what they think,
that patriotism should pervade their
every endeavor in the direction of mental
or social Improvement. Our government
was made by the people; and by the peo-
pie it must be constantly watched and
maintained. Like every other mechanism
it requires guidance and care. Without
this, like many another mechanism, it
will not only fail to do its work, but it
may lnjure and wound those who stand
idly near. We caunot afford in the heed
less race for wealth, nor in the absorbing
struggle for the promotion Of selfish ends,
to neglect for a day our duty to our gov.
eminent.
So, as the members of the German
Young Mems Association contemplate
the ~steadtast love of country which be
longs TO the German character, let them
enforce the lesson that this sentiment is
absolutely essential to the strength and
vigOr of American institutions. Ii they
find that German industry and fruRalitY
lead TO national happiness and comfort,
let them insist that these characteristics
be rooted in our soil: and If they fad
that the justice and equality which u
free Institutions promise and which the
Germans love, are withheld from them
and the American people, let them de-
mand from the government which they
support, a scrupulous redemption of its
pledges.
As this association crosses the threshold
which lies midway in the first century OF
its existence, its members may well recall
with pride and conGratulation what it has
thus far done for the promotion OF a
knowledge of German literature and the
cultivation of German character; and as
they enter upon a second half century of
organized effort they should be more than
ever determined to pursue these purposes
not only because they may thus keep alive
a fond remembrance of the Fatherland,
but because they may thus, in a higher,
better spirit, aid in the cultivation OF those
sentiments which purify and strengthen a
genuine and patriotic Americanism.
ARNICATED EUREKA CREAM
ls the finest and mnst efectnnl lntinn tnr