Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-02-09
PROHIBITION IS
SCORED BY LENT
Head of Northeastern Saenger-
bnnd Den0unces Proposed
Constitutional Amendment.
URGES GERMANS TO USE
VOTE TO DEFEAT "DRYS"
Speaks Before Large Audience
at Turn Hall-Resolution
Signed.

Major Carl Lentz, as president of
the Northwestern Saengerbund, adj
dressed large audience at the Turn
Hall, in William street, last night,
and strongly denounced the proposed
amendment to the constitution for
national prohibition. The meeting
was held under the auspices of the
United Singers, of this city, and the
hall was packed to the doors Time
and again during the majors speech
he was interrupted by applause.
He characterized the prohibition
movement as an attack on the per-
sonal liberty of citizens of the United
States. He said the movement was
one of string of anti-foreign meas
ures, among which he cited as one
instance the eyer stricter growing
measures against immigration. Major
Lentz told the audience that they
alone were responsible for the condi-
ton. for having allowed the passing
of the chancellor jury act, which he
described as another step to deprive
the people of the right to govern
themselves.
He told his hearers that the pro-
hibition element had boosted they
had collected 100000 to carry their
aim through. and said that the liberal
element could not collect such fund.-
nor was Unnecessary, as they were
lighting just cause,
Not Defending Saloons.
We are not defending the saloons"
the speaker continued, I'VE are not
defending the brewers, nor are we de-
Tending a glass of beer, but we are
fighting for our rights as citizens"
The major further pointed out that
of the hundred million inhabitants in
the United States there are twenty
five million, in whose veins German
blood flo. 1 and they should make
themselves heard and had right to
be heard. Germans from the early
history of the country on, the speaker
stated, had materially aided in MAX
ing this country what it is today
They had assumed the responsibility
and the burden and We're therefore
entitled to have their say when it
came to making the laws of the ma
ton.
And if they do not heed us, then
let them feel the force of our vote y
Mr.. Lentz exclaimed yves, our vote,
and do not fail to cast it as long as
You may enjoy it, for at the rate
things are moving. even that ray not
be long any more"
In his address the major also APP
pealed to the women, of whom there
were quite a number, to aid in the agi-
tation. Following his address a reso-
luton of protest was adopted with
everybody voting YES" with a vim.
The hall was comfortably filed
when the choir of the United Singers,
about two hundred voices strong,
opened the meeting with the song.
aEinsiedler an die Nacht.' John ].
Plemenik conducting.
President G. w. Heilman, Of the
singers, introducing as the chairman
of the meeting August Goertz, hon
orary president of the society, ex-
pressed regrets that not more had ap-
peared. IF this were woman's
meeting I am sure the hall would not
have been large enough to hold every
body He and Mr.. Goertz made a
general appeal to everyone to sign the
petitions that were making the
rounds these days and have their
friends sign
In concluding Mr. Goertz said that
the present movement proposed to
curtail the liberties guaranteed under
the Constitution and that it was die
tated solely by a spirit of intolerance
and that inasmuch as prohibition had
not produced wholesome results the
German-Americans owed it to the
country to fight 1t.
He then introduced the major as
the speaker of the evening. who said
In part;
Some years have passed since
spoke at this hall. when it was opened
and at that time there was political
movement against political liberty,
We showed the people what wesmight
expect and the result was that those
gentlemen fostering the movement
were beaten at the next election. The
result was very gratifying to the
Germans of this city representing the
liberal element.
Refused Warning.
After this we again lapsed into
comatose state, while our ever-alert
enemies were busy and gained ground.
Last summer called attention to the
chancellor jury act and showed the
dangers that were lurking behind it.
I told my hearers that the result
would be that those sitting on the
juries would not interpret the law in
the spirit, but in the letter. My warn
ing was not needed and the bill be-
came law.
IF You suffer any hardships. YOU
Germans are to blame. Now do you
want to let this sort of thing con-
tinue? Do you want to run the risk