The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-28
The "German-Americans'' of New York

The " German-Amerlcans" of New York.
In behalf Of the German American Reform
Union of this city, Mr.. GUSTAV SCHwAB
has issued preliminary manifesto on the
subject of nationality In politics. This is
what Mr.. SCHwAB has to say:
The impression ia conveyed By certain statements
that those who are assoossd IN the German American
Reform Union desire tc place upon the ticket to I've
nominated in opposition to Tnmmany Hall citizens OF
German extraction for certain offices and notably for
the ONCE OF Mayor. desire to deny any such intsn
ton upon the part Of the men who are prominent In
the man sEement OF tho snairs OF the organization"
These are sound and wholesome senti-
ments. but they raise the query why. IL
German-American citizens are not to be
supported and to be preferred as can
ddates, there should be any German
American Reform Union In Now York.
Why, otherwise. should such an affair
DO establlshedH Why should 1t be sus-
tained2 Tho interests OF the German and
German-Amerlcan voters OF the city OF
New York are identical with the interests
Of other citizens. Their burdens and re-
sponsiblities are no greater their privi-
leges are no less. The same protection OF
rights and property is accorded to German
Americans as to oil other citizens; no more,
no less. Why. then, should 1t DO found
necessary or desirable for few of them to
organize q Decentralization Reform
Union? The overwhelming majority Of
intelligent and saRacious German-Ameri-
can citizens take no part In such move-
ment. and could not justify their participa-
tion in 1t on any other grounds than those
OF Office seeking for candidates not popular
upon their merits, and dependent for pre-
Torment on tho circumstance OF their
foreign extraction.
II there Is any just and proper excuse for
a " German American Reform Union" why
Is there not similar reason for the estab-
lshment Of Italian, Hungarian. Polish.
Portuguese. French. Russian. Dutch. Rou-
manian. Spanish. Bulgarian. Scotch. Ser
Wan. Belgian, Swedish. Swiss. and Danish
Reform Unions: ono or two OF each?
1t Is to the interest Of good citizenship to
break down and obliterato all race lines
of difference between free and equal Ameri-
can citizens In the municipal politics Of New
York. How otherwise can wo hope to en-
Joy the benefits OF n local government
which discrminates neither for nor against
the men OF any former foreign allegiance
or ancestry. in officeholdlng
Mr. SCHwAB and his associates OF the
German-American Reform Union are not
up to date. They are not abreast with the
existing political conditions. They are not
In line with 1893 They are looking back
ward. Class government or any kind is
always intolerable where free institutions
exist; but class government based upon the
distinctions of nationality Is particularly
odious. The sound common sense OF our Ger
man American fellow citizens should cause
them to shun any movement having for Its
object. whatever Its well-meaniug officers
may proclaim to the contrary. q national
ity test In ofilce-filling In this town. Such
thing is impossible; 1t Is absurd to con-
slider 1t seriously.
The place for the German-American Re-
form Union to commence its labor of civic
amelioratlon is at it's own headquarters.
wherever they may be established. By in
teligent methods those In charge OF the
work may soon be able to inspire the mem
bers with proper appreciation OF the fact
that all qualified voters In this city are
Americans. There are no other citizens
OF any group or variety hereabouts.