The San Francisco call., 1896-02-22
Raising the American Banner
Above the German
Hospital.
LETTERS REGARDING THE CASE.
A Query From the Assistant Adju.
tant.General, G.. A. R., and the
Answer.
The following communications are self
pYplanatOru.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF }
CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA,
SAN FRANCISCO. February II, 1860
managers OF the German Benep0lent SOCiety-
GENTLEMEN: The statement has been made
that the American flag has never been raised
above the German Hospital on National holi.
days or if it has it has been drawn up In some
obscure place so it could not be seen very we'll.
Not believing such statement without having
most respectfully ask you that in case Old
Glory has so far not had the appropriate posi-
ton you will let the American banner fly from
your buildings next Saturday in such posi-
tion that everybody can see it. All right
minded citizens acknowledge the fact that no
part OF our people are more loyal and have
greater love for this country and its flag than
the citizens OF German birth or their descend
ants, and that nobody is more willing always
and at all places to honor that banner. Very
respectfully, r. c. MAsTELLER
Assistant Adjutant- General g. A. r.
SAN FRANCISCO Cal, Feb. 81 1896.
T. c. MdSteiler Esq, Room IS, 50. AIn's Build
your letter OF the 18th inst. addressed to the
German General Benevolent Society, and pro-
ceed to do SO by first asking you if you did not
commit a breach OF comradeShip and courtesy
In not first addressing me- knowing as you do
that the superintendent of the institution you
complain OF in your capacity OF assistant ad-
lutant-general, u. A. r., is himself a member
OF the order.
Proceeding now to the matter at issue, per-
NIT me TO explain that the flag adopted by the
German General Benevolent Society for its hos
pltal to distinguish it from other hospitals and
TO be in harmony with the name OF the City is
the German flag.
The flag, surmounted by the American
streamer, is hoisted in honor of every National
holiday and on Sundays, and for the last three
years the flag of defUnct George Sykes Post No.
l59, Department OF California, G. A. r., which
was present ted to me by vote of the post, is also
displayed from a prominent point over the
main entrance, and we shall continue TO thus
honor and observe every National holiday.
We therefore emphatically repudiate the
nis 1nnislnuatlon that ''the American flag never
flies over the German Hospital on National
holidays, or that if flown at all it is stuck
away In an obscure position" The German
American citizens, OF whom this society is
mainly composed, yield to no other class of
citizens, native adopted, in their love and
veneration for the stars and stripes. Many of
them have fought to preserve and protect that
nag, and all are ready and eager to do so,
should occasion arise. We owe allegiance to
one country and one flag. That country is the
land OF our adoption and that flag is 'Old
Glory"
We go even further. We have such profound
admiration for the glory and power OF that
flag that we deprecate anything like spread
that II the flag could speak for itself it would
say to its citizens: "My children, native and
adopted, carry what flag you please as matter
OF amusement or for the sake of that variety
which is the spice OF life. [ know that you all
love me and will shed your blood to defend me
should occasion arise
Assuredly still cherish in our hearts the
land that gave us birth, but it is not the
our eyes kindle and our pulses quicken: it
takes the stars and stripes 10 do that.
These sentiments, am authorized to say,
the German Benevolent Society of San Fran
cisco will continue to foster, and it hopes that
no American patriot will ever have just reason
to find fault with its doings. Very respect
fully, THEo V Brown,
Superintendent German Hospital.