Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-22
No German Vote,
To the Editor of The Evening Star:

To the Editor OF Inc Evening star.
have read with much pleasure your edi-
torial on the sensible letter written by my
friend, Rev DIR. Emil G. Hirsch of Chicago.
OF course, there is nothing new or startling
in the contents of the letter, for l have
preached that doctrine off and on the stump
ever since 1 have been connected with the
republican party. Years ago when asked
to make speeches in German to the voters
In Indiana and Ohio, l declined, claiming
then, as l do now, that it is the bounden
duty of every citizen to be thoroughly con-
versant with the aims and objects OF the
institutions of our country, and that. while
in their social or religious relations they
can use the language of their fathers or OF
their choice, yet in politics there should be
only one language, one faith and one ma
tionality l have never for a moment
claimed, nor will any sensible man claim,
chat there is such a thing as a German
vote or any other vote outside of Ameri-
can. Unfortunately, the politicians cater
very largely to this feeling of uncertainty
as to a certain contingent of American
voters, and scheming, mounting persons of
no particular standing in the community,
but ready and ripe for plumber, take ad-
vantage of this knowledge, and play upon
the fears and credulity of the managers of
both parties. The majority of the Ameri-
can people, which includes all classes, are
too sensible to be led astray by any hue
and cry, no matter from which side 1t en-
anates. They know their own interests and
know now to take care or them.
The cry of Imperialism Is so shallow and
transparent that it does not affect any sem
sible intelligent man, and the very persons
who cry loudest in that direction are
laughing in their sleeves at the scarecrow
they have raised.
l remember well the same things were
said In 1864 against Mr.. Lincoln, and in
1872 there was a still more determined eff
fort to defeat Gen. Grant on identical lines
AT that time, the so-caled German vote
was appealed to. The high priest of that
doctrine, Carl Schurz. led the van with
Sumner, Henderson, Whitelaw Reid and
other notable men trailing in his rear. The
leading German papers of republican ten
dency of the United States, with the ex-
ception of the Illinois Stats Zeitung, were
in opposition to Gen. Grant, and yet he was
triumphantly elected. Why? Because the
people had confidence in his wisdom, in his
judgment, his integrity and his loyalty.
There is no danger of militarism In this
country. We have passed that crisis, for
tunately. There was a time, and that was
when the army of the civil war was mus
tered out, and Gen. Grant, the hero of that
occasion, might have seized the oppor-
tunity, but that wise patriot never dreamt
of such a chance, and neither does the
equally wise patriotic and loyal President
William Mckinley. Whatever he has done
and is doing is for the interest of the
United States and for it's people, not to
strange the institutions under which we
live. but to extend their usefulness to other
lands. and to influence by example other
nations to follow in the great wake of
American civilization. 8. WOLF