Washington sentinel., 1900-03-10
Mr., Jeup's Advice to Germans.

the well known German editor o
Indianapolis, has been the princi
pal speaker before the German
Pioneer Society of that city, anC
this year was no exception. In hi:
address at its last meeting Mr.
Jeup created a genuine sensation
by giving, as the chosen interpre-
ter of the real sentiments oi the
Pioneer Society, which he deslg-
mated as the bone and sinew of the
German immigration, some excel
lent advice to the younger gener-
alton OF German immiprants with
regard to their attitude toward
other classes OF our population and
the manner Of celebrating German
festivals in general, in which the
speaker was indorsed by the pio-
neers with the liveliest demonstra-
tions of assent.
1t seemed to him a duty, begun
Mr.. Jeup. to give warning to GER
tain German immigrants of later
date concerning their talk about
this country and its non German
inhabitants, and the first Of these
warnings may properly be ad-
dressed to those who, while living
in Germany, could not find any
thing good in that country. and
looked upon the United States as
Veritable paradise, but now,
when they are here and have not
seen any focks of roasted pigeons
flying toward their mouth with a
cooling entreaty to kindly open it
and swallow them (this is the Gus
tomary German simile in such
cases) do not know what terms
sufficiently offensive to use in char
acierizing the United States as "the
land and people of humbug."
These knights of chronic dissatis-
faction are not numerous enough
to be located as a class, but they
make up in noise what they lack
in numbers, always ignoring the
physical fact that a food OF light
is invariably associated with cor
responding shades, and that moth
ing in this, the best OF worlds, is
entirely faultless. II is a dishon-
est comparison to hold up the
somber shades of one country
against the brilliant rays oil aI-
other, and vice versa, and our large
immigration is the best proof Of
the preference which the United
States hold in the opinion of the
world. Bat during the late panics
these croakers have done mischief.
Mr.. Jeup's next note OF warning
refers % the spirit and manner oi
celebrating German instrumental
ity in building up this country at
German mass meetings and festi-
walls. This pioneer society, though
consisting exclusively Of members
born in Germany, is thoroughly
American in spirit and sympathy.
We are American citizens by adop.
ton, he said, and never forget
what we have sworn to in the act
OF our naturalization. We do not
believe in divided allegiance be-
longing halt to Germany and half
to the United States. We are
Americans pure and simple and
would not sympathize with any
thing Germany might undertake
against the rights and interests OF
this country. Germany is our
good old mother. but America is
the bride of our free choice and
the Bible says, "Vou have to leave
father and riOther and be true to
your wife" We should deplore,
and strongly endeavor to prevent,
a serious misunderstanding be-
tween the land of our birth and
that OF our choice, but in a crisis
would certainly stand by the latter,
and this is what the German En-
peror, jealous of the undivided
loyalty OF his own subjects, must
have meant, with the remark lately
ascribed to him: 81 do not know
German-Americans." 1t does not
exclude any sympathies OF ours
with old mother Germany in mat
ters not conflicting with our duties
as American citizens, nor will it,
on the other hand, prevent burgh-
ers Of the German Empire to con-
tinue addressing US as dear though
distant brethren whenever they
reach the collection box ever the
Atlantic soliciting contributions
Tor some meritorIous work in the
Fatherland. But while we dis
claim the title OF hy ohenated
Americans we would suggest to
certain members OF the English
press that they do not act wisely