The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-14
GERMAN SENTIMENT.
Why the Socialer Turnverein Dfsap-
proves the Chicago Movement.

The German-American movement ema-
mating from Chicago against an alliance
with Great Britain was two weeks ago In
dorsed by a delegate convention of the In
diana district of the North American Tur-
nerbund which took place in Tell City. The
Socialer. Turnverein of the German House,
which belongs to the Indiana district. was
not pleased by the Endorsement and passed a
resolution expressing regret and dissatis-
faction. A committee was appointed to pre-
pare for publication in the organ of the
Bund a statement of the reasons for the
~disapproval of the Endorsement. The COM
mittee consisted of Phil Rappaport. Theo-
dore Stempfel and Hugo Mueller. The COM
mittee reported at length at the last bust
ness meeting az the society and the report
was unanimously adopted.
1t is said in the report that 'ft is entirely
improper for COMMUNICATIONS to attempt,
from their special standpoint as German
Americans, to influence the foreign policy
of the United States. While there could be
no objection to infuse internal politics with
their particular desires and inclinations and
make the best terms they can with their
American-born fellow-citizens, yet toward
foreign countries this Nation must stand as
a unity, and the different elements cannot
be recognized"
1t is further said in the report that "the
Endorsement has become unnecessary be-
cause the phase of our political life which
called forth the movement Endorsed by the
convention is passed, and a better under
standing between the United States and
Gsrmap yhas has begnn to- to take place smer,c lne
British alliance is an improbability any
way. In our days international alliances are
not formed for sentimental reasons, but for
commercial and Industrial reasons. The
Anglo-Saxon sentiment which is now intoxi-
eating the American people. of whatever
value 1t may be otherwise, II. In our age OF
commercialism entirely insufficient to form
the basis of an international alliance. OF
course We condemn" the report says, the
press and Of the American yellow press, to
stir up i'll feeling between the United States
Tight G% Of Gerymia ana Mr ass" to d co ,urls act
those efforts and to. create and foster
friendship between their old and new father
niversary of the Boston Turnverein. Pro-
lessor Muensterberg, of Harvard College,
LET us not deceive ourselves-the real
dangers lie. and lay from the beginning, not
In Manila and not In Apia, but only in the
mood and emotional temper OF the two peo-
sympathy. the whole Of Asia would not be
enough to bring on a struggle; but as soon
as they dislike each other. the most mis-
cradle little island would be sufficient to ex-
cite a war. The two nations do not know
each other. they know only the unimportant
externals, but their Utmost feelings and ten
denotes they misinterpret and misjudge. 1t
is not true that they dislike each other on
account Of wheat, pork and sugar. No; they
are a~ntipathetic because they do not recog-
nize in each other the man of honor. the
gentleman. The German thinks the Ameri-
| f think sse ths c arn eor seryIie ana and t nerr Alneri Snf
we know that this is all a miserable distor-
ton in which externals are misinterpreted,
anp t Pssan temp @e h has vanished ar; &c may we not must nest
bring Ii about that the two nations under
stand. and respect each other. We must.
therefore, represent the best Americanism
in Germany and the best Germanism in
America. We must show in our life here
fhat the German is a man OF honor and
countrymen have not always done so. In
stead of showing to the Americans the best
has too often stripped off the garments of
the Fatherland and has initiated the faults
rather than the virtues of his new compa-
triots. If the Germans try to force on the
administration a special policy, they may
win, perhaps, on a special occasion, but
the emotional attitude on which everything
depends would be damaged beyond repair
We declare ourselves fully in accord with
the sentiments contained In these words Of
convinced that the preservation of our spe-
cial characteristics and of German culture
depends on the friendship and the agreeable
relations between Anglo and German-Amer
leans. and not rpon a momentary political
success. Hot heads. Jingoes and politicians
may be of a different opinion, but we do not
believe that in this respect the movement
in question has had any beneficial effect. IL
II has not. in fact. injured the friendly rela-
tons between the two elements mentioned.
believe that the Turner'S. before pass
ing resolutions like those mentioned herein,
would do well to ask themselves whether
they have in their private and social life
done what they should do to cultivate Ger
man language, German characteristics. Ger
man art and German literature. to further
L mutual aCtQan1 and frianAchfn hayv1n~
themselves and their Anglo-American fell
| low citizens, and especially to gain the lat
ter's respect-not the respect which con-
but in the appreciat ton of German charac-
ter and German spirit, and which is founded
on a feeling of friendship between the two
i nations"