The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-01
THE HESSIANS AND LAFAY.
ETTE.
"Ammi Wright" Replies TO His Critics
with . Revolutionary Contrast.

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To THE EDITOR OF THE S~uN-Sir: I
cannot Join my critics. the defenders
Of the German Wal lords. in an ex-
change Of personalities or follow them
into q discussion of non-essentials. 1t
Is Interesting, however. TO observe
how they vince and squlrm under the
bright light Of truth.
Again they ri that Germany's
war atrocities be excused because OF
the wrongs committed by Great Brit
ain and other nations In the past.
II we are to hold Britain's ancient
sins against her. how about Germany's?
Would II Ike fair to hold the present
generation Of Germans responsible
for what their ancestors did TO our
forebears during the struggle for
American independence?
In the hour of our greatest peril
when our people were fighting against
overwhelming odds TO establish this
nation, what did the Germans do to
help them? They sold to Britain
5000 Hessian soldiers to help destroy
| Washington and his little army.
These Germans had no grievance
against us: they killed Americans for
a cash consideration. and the word
"Hessian' Is still n always Will be a
byword n a reproach among the
older families OF America
And vet we are asked to turn Our
sympathy from France in TEL hour of
peril, the friend who came TO our aid
with none and men and made II
| possible for Washington 10 gain our
independence.
We love France not only because OF
this great service to the cause OF
American liberty but because she has
passed through the severest test ever
applied to a modern nation n has
emerged chastened and reborn under a
republican form of government.
France Is carrying the banner Of
democracy. Americans do not want To
see her crushed under the heel OF
German imperialism.
And Britain. with all her faults. has
done at least one noble act that will
illumine the history of this war for all
time. She came to the rescue oi
France in her hour OF need. But for
the British fleet every French port,
city and village would be in the hands
Of the brutal n wanton enemy who
has already devastated a portion OF
that fair land.
For this great service to free gov
eminent and humanity much can be
forgiven to Great Britain.
The average American ~sympathizes
with the German people In their pres.
nj affection. but has only Condenna-
ton for the military caste of Germany,
.-i.-t. 49,. -A,,l shtr ,A1 ay. ,,Na~
Europe and the world.
The average American knows tina
when the Kaiser could ave prevented
war with a stroke OF his pen he pre-
ferred to start IL with IA stroke of hi
sword. Instead OF using his "di'
vincly acquired" power to command
peace he threw open the flood gates
Of hate and carnage and by this &C
sent great legions Of strong men into
the valley Of the shadow Of death.
A vast multitude have alread,
gone never TO return. and the end Is
not yet.
And still his people do not know
what they are fighting for, what 1t Il
he wants his enemies TO do.
Upon the Kaiser and his rulins
class rests the responsibility for ever,
pang OF the wounded. for every tea,
Of the ~bereaved. for every drop q
blood shed. for every life destroyed
for all the unspeakable woe caused b,
this senseless war. II Justice IL done
these bemedalled and ~swacgerini
knights of the dripping sword o
Kult,r" will be required to replace h,
their own sweat and toll every hom
destroyed. every church or other edi
fee demolished IN this war, brick 70
brick and stone for stone, and at thei
own cost TO restore every outrage
and fugitive family TO peace and com
fort In their homes.
For nearly nine generations m
forebears have breathed the free air o
America and they have given faithful
support 10 the republic ever since 1
was organized. When my German
American critics have lived longe
under the American flag their allie
glance will become more deeply rooted
Then the Flag will mean more {
them. II will be moro precious I
|, them and their loyalty will come NOR
from the heart and less from the lip
than It does now. AMMI WRIGHr.
NEW York, November 80.