The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1914-12-04
A PUBLIC NOTICE
To the Members Of the Alliance Of
German Sociea~s Of Indiana and
the Citizens Of Our State.
Resolutions Adopted by the State Con-
vention Of the Alliance Of German
Societies CT Indiana, Held in Ham
mond, Aug. % 20 Sept. 1, 1914.
Resolution no. 1.

Societies Of Indiana, Held in Ham
mond, Aug. 2e to Sept. 1, 1914.
Resolution no. 1.
As everybody IS now crying for re-
forms, 'our state naturally could not,
according to the views of our reform
ers In Indiana. stand back. Those re-
formers would like to lay aside the
whole constitution Of the state and
give US IN entirely new reformed"
one, in which, to be sure, each reform
er would like TO have his ideas of re-
form incorporated.
A so-called constitutional conven-
ton has been proposed. 1t is to be de-
cded in November whether such
convention shall be held or not. AS all
fanatics and demagogues are putting
forth every effort for the convention,
in order to restrict our personal rights
through constitution, all liberal citi-
zens should vote against it, for the re
formers are seeking to put into a new
constitution in a lump everything that
they would otherwise. have to secure
Iaboriously through separate laws
Our present constitution has given
Us excellent service for sixty-three
years, and II really necessary reforms
can be attained without a new consti-
tuition. The present constitution has
already been amended twice and, II
necessary, the same can be done again
under present conditions.
Besides, the calling of a convention
as suggested, to frame a new constitu-
ton, would, according to conservative
estimate, cost rot lees than u million
dollars, perhaps even more, and this
great sum could DO very nicely used
here in the state for other more nee
sssary things and for genuine reforms.
We therefore recommend that our
state alliance take an active stand
against the proposal and that all our
members and their friends vote
against it in November.
Resolution No. 2.
The fury Of war is sweeping through
the world It IS raging worst in Gu
rope, whsre, urged on by the spirit OF
envy and revenge and the dark brood
Of covetous standardization, 1t is
causing death and destruction. We
have not assembled here to seek out
the dark Hagen who has released it.
Yet woe, thrice woe unto him who
shall be branded before the world
tribunal as the instigator! With It's
fangs the fury has gripped Germany,
who by a heroic struggle Is seeking to
free herself. She is carrying on her
war not for the glorification Of her
throne, but for selfpreservation and
the conservation of her cultural
achievements. But the brooding pow
ers are seeking "to darken that which
is radiant, As in Germanic mythol-
ogy and folklore, Darkness is not able
permanently to gain the upper hand
over Light, so we hope in this world
struggle that Light will eventually
emerge triumphant.
We are in no sense advocates Of the
war AS loyal American citizens we
support the attitude OF our govern
ment in this world struggle and heart
fly endorse the efforts of our president
to establish peace. AS American citi-
zens Of German descent our sympathy
IN this war belongs with the Ger
man people. We believe we I'M
derstahd the endeavors Of modern
Germany and therefore venture the
assertion: "Her thoughts were free
from murder" Far be 1t from us to ex-
pect the same feelings from all Ameri-
can citizens. However, we regret very
much that large portion OF the Anglo
American press has sought, and In a
measure is still seeking, either to
brand Germany IS the instigator of the
world war, or at least, and often con-
trary 20 better knowledge, to cast sus-
picion upon her, In order to create
sentiment against her. If the press
stands on the side Of darkness, then
manic offshOot north OF the channel
must also apply to it: st regret with
all my heart to find you in such COM
pany." And indeed Germany has not
deserved it from America By Ger
many's sun America has been warmed
With the blood of Germany's sons this
Union was welded. The German
American gives this country the best
that he has The more closely he
stands in touch with the culture Of the
Fatherland. the more he can give. The
American of German extraction
through his industry and his devotion
TO the welfare OF this country. is ere
ating for himself new Fatherland-
the United States OF America. lie
who seeks 10 deny his nationality-he
cannot give It up-becomes not only
en- unworthy citizen, but also an un-
worthy mana hypocrite We do not
count ourselves among the latter. We
do our duty fully and completely. IN
order that we may become more firm
~ rooted In American soil, SO that we
may become ever more progressive
and therefore better citizens. As loyal
citizens we ask therefore only Justice:
that the German people In the present
struggle for their existence be meas
ured. on the part OF the press and the