Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-08-17
Williams Words to Vermonter.

mat intrepid young Nermonter, Con-
gresham George Edmund Foss of Chica-
20, bearded the German Emperor in one
| OF the latter's dens the other day and
moved him to indulge in language. EN-
peror Williams expression of belief that
the relations of Germany and the United
States would continue friendly will be ac-
cepted by most of our people as a pro-
phecy, If not wish, but we ina CINE that
few Americans will relish the ground on
which the fiery young ruler of the father
land based his assertion. He stated that
the Germans in the United States would
take good care that no aggressive or hos
tile policy was pursued by our govern
ment toward Germany
| In view of the remarkably small proper
ton of Germans in the United States as
compared with the total population of
this country, Emperor Williams asser-
ton could not be regarded az other than
presumptuous in the extreme even were
there no other reason for looking upon his
words in this manner. 1t would be worse
than idle to expect the German americans
to succeed in preventing our nation from
though their native lid might be involv-
ed In the struggle, and the United States
would not think of going to war with Ger
many without sufficient provocation.
But granting the ability of our German
element to leaven the whole lump of our
American nationality regardless of the
comparative insignhcance of it's proper
II n b.A fau hat ~ IL
liam has flattered himself in considering
the hold which he has upon his former
subjects now citizens of the United
States. 1t Is a notorious fact that many
of the German residents of this country
are self-exiled. having been driven by Ger
many's rigorous military system to seek
an asylum in this country Not a few OF
them, while holding in fond remembrance
the scenes and associa lions made familiar
to them in their native land, are exceed
ingly bitter toward the German govern
ment, not only on account of their own ex-
periences but also owing to the
fact that many of their num-
Der have friends who are even
now undergoing the military immolation
exacted from reluctant and long suffer-
ing people by merciless monarchy.
| Under these circumstances It would not
be reasonable to expect the German
Americans as a body to attempt in any
way to defy the popular will of this peo-
pie or to !mperil their own welfare for the
sake of promoting the ambitious schemes
of Emperor William In opposition to our
own national interests. The German.
Americans have repeatedly demonstra ted
their loyalty to our government as well as
their love for our American institutions.
and they have needed no harshness OF ex-
patraton to emphasize their patriotism
as citizens Of the United States.
The great majority of the Germans who
have become citizens Of this country are
now among our most enthusiastic and de-
voted Americans, and when Emperor Will
liam sought to enlist their sympa thies in
his cause he wrote himself down am ignor-
ant statesman or a rude host In either
event he wasted his powder; for the i'm
piled threat will not deter our govern
ment in the least from protecting it's own
interests. even though we may have fire.
quent occasion to join with Dewey in
crossing Emperor Williams path.