Omaha daily bee., 1915-07-24

"Old Glory has no more loyal
phenated citizens-the German
Americans"
With fiery words against alleged
"un-American" interests and influ-
ences, DR.. Charles John Hexamer of
Philadelphia, president of the Ger
manAmerican Alliance of America,
at a banquet in his honor at the Fon-
tenelle last night, spoke to Germans
in attendance at the saengerfest of
the Saengerbund of the Northwest.
big man, with a dramatic personality,
DR.. HeNamer quickly had his listeners
under the spell of his oratory.
Almost his first statement after voicing
his appreciation of the Saengerfest, the
guests present, and the singers was a
stern denunciation of the American press,
which he declared to be pro-British, be-
cause the money powers that profit by
ammunition sales demand that 1t be so.
The school system received a caustic
criticism from him because youngsters
are taught. he said. that a German is q
''beer drinking person who beats his wife
and snores loudly" Seldom in the public
schools is mention made, he said, OF the
Gernon pioneers in science, invention, art
or music, but instead, to the growing
generation are shown roseate pictures
of other nationalities. ..-- ..
THE German ideal is liberty, Just as
was the ideal of those brave souls who
first came to this land to evade tyranny
Into the mind and heart of every child
should be instilled this one fundamental
principle. In this country, however, gold
seems to be the ideal. This melting-pot
Of humanity turns out a race of people
who would destroy the beauties of nature
to turn the earth inside out for gold
The Pioneer German.
Germans In the early days met the
Indians with the Bible instead of the
musket In Pennsylvania in the early
days there were ten newspapers, while
in all the other colonies together there
were only eight. The first 'made-in-
America Bible. was printed In Pennsyl-
Vania in the German language.
During the war. between the colonies
and England, General Washington's army
was once saved from humiliation by a
corps Of seventy German sharpshoot-
ers. Later in Pennsylvania nine German
patriots subscribed 100000 that the ragged
heroes under Washington might have
shoes and clothes and food. The students
of American history will remember with
loving thoughts the efforts of Baron
steuben against the tyrannical British
rule-and yet this wonderful race is be-
ing spat upon in scorn by some people in
this country today.
Wrongs of Neutrality.
'As the situation now is, the United
States might much better declare war
against Germany than keep up the pres
ent kind Of neutrality that permits the
expectation of arms exclusively to en-
emies of Germany"
DIR. Hexamer closed his speech with a
plea for a closer organization of German
citizens in America, and declared that the
time is ripe for COMMUNICATIONS to
stand up and assert their rights.
Val Peter, editor OF the Omaha Daily
German Tribune, was postmaster, and
introduced the speakers. The banquet
was given by the delegates of the Ne
braska German-American Alliance, the
Omaha Communication Alliance, ana
the board of directors Of the Omaha
6aengerfest association, in honor of DR..
HeXamer and the grand officers of the
Northwestern Saengerbund association.
The soloists were also invited.
Guests did not commence to arrive un-
ell nearly midnight. after the evening
concert at the Auditorium, and because
of the lateness of the hour the banquet
program was not as lengthy as the COM
mittee on arrangements desired.
In introducing the principal speaker,
Toastmaster Peter presented him with a
beautiful bouquet OF roses Of the late
Kaiser Fredericks favorite species.
Other Addresses.
Congressman c. o. Lobeck was the
next speaker. He paid high tribute to
German progress in the United States,
10 German intelligence. German thrift
and German ability. Hans De Muth,
president of the South Dakota German
American alliance. also spoke briefly
All of the speakers offered warm praise
for those who helped TO make this gath
ering OF the Northwestern saengerbund
the grand success that is already as
sured.
Between the speeches Henri Scott and
Miss Christine Miller. favorites at the
concert earlier In the evening. gave vo-
cal selections
Nearly 300 delegates attended the ban
quet given In the big Fontenelle ball