The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-11-03


become our people shall forget old
homes, but do signify such assimala-
zion on their part as leads them 10
contribute whatever valuable in char
acter they inherit in the country OF
their birth, to the fund OF Amer.
can prosperity and happiness.
If frugality and industry
are their national traits those
should be by them contributed 10
American prosperity, and IT cheerful
ness and love of songs are national
characteristics these should be con-
tributed to American happpiness.
Those who do these things in true
fraternal spirit and in cooperation
with all others who love American
name, and also who regulate political
action by thoughtfulness and anxious
desire for American welfare entltle
themselves TO membership in the
grand association of American fellow
citizens. But there is another and ex.
ceedingly important meaning to be
given to these words which arises
from the idea of fair and equal
community of interests when
they naturally suggest if we are to be
truly fellow citizens we must nave not
only common purpose but common dl-
vision of benefits arising from our as
ISOLATION. Our citizenship grows out
of our allegiance and devotion to the
government which claims our patrl-
otto support, but we can hardly be
accused of straining the meaning OF
the words when we insist if we are to
be fellows in orr citizenship, this fell
loWship only realized when we enjoy
in an equal and just manner the ad-
vantages of our citizenship. Whether
this, our actual condition, is at this
time the subject of anxious and popu-
lar inquiry. We find a po-
litical party soliciting suffrages
of our people in support of doctrine
that this fellowship in our citizenship
is secured when prosperity of certain
especial interests is favored in max
ing an execution of our laws, and is
made direct charge upon industry OF
those not within the circle of govern
mental Partially.
AS result of the successful asser-
ton of this doctrine we find enormous
unearned fortunes in the hands of a
few individuals while those in the I'M
equal race who are patiently relying
upon personal thrift and study indi-
vidual effort are far in the rear. In
CAPABILITIES, fortune furnishes no
ground for discomfort when they
are due to differences in en-
terprise, legitimate opportun-
ity or natural endowment.
When, however, they are traceable to
interference in behalf of
a small minority of our people at ex-
pense of the remainder, nothing but
deception or partisan blindness of
those who suffer can prevent them
from challenging this injustice and de-
the consideration due them
by virtue of their fellowship in
American citizenship. interpret the
and activity of German
American union as protesting against
jhe violation of the rights of its men,
oers in this fellowship, and l conceive
his demonstration to be revolt
against the mockery of calling
hose our fellowcitizens who
ieprives us of equal participation
n the advantages promised under tree
american institutions. Let us always
uOU
lue to any inflrmity in principles upon
which our government was founded
They are sufficient for US in all our
reeds. We are led directly to the
conclusion that the remedy for unfair
in distribution of the
benefits of our American ciZen-
hip is in the hands of the voters
If the land, and that if there has been a
departure from the light W i should
,uide the operation of oul govern
nent 1t is for the people to demand
'eturn to the safe channels. Let me
warn you in closing that the struggle
20 secure ratification of false methods
md dislodgment of selfish advantage
8 not an easy one. Attempts to ca
ole our voters which have been sue
,essful in the past still continue, and
bribery and corruption are still in
vogue. 1t is only by intelligent argu-
nent, constant endeavor and unre-
hitting vigilance that we shall re-
cover a just and equal share of the
benefits which belong to us as Ameri-
,an fellow citizens,