TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1916-02-15
Neutrality


~ 49, AAV 49, 1AnRl GiA VAL
schurz. Can the President mention
one single case where the German
Americans, individually or collec-
lively, were disloyal to their new
home? And II he would read Ger
man history he would look in vain
for a Benedict Arnold. Nor Will he
find one drop Of disloyal blood in the
veins OF German-Amerieans.- 1t is
more than astonishing how blind this
man has been In all his actions since
the war broke out. Why does he try
to incite hatred and 6iscord in the
ranks of 0 than ten millions Of
the best citizens OF this land? What
q wonderful opportunity he had to
gain for himself the name of the
greatest benefactor Of mankind. IL
right at the beginning Of the war,
he had stopped the expectation of
arms and ammunition. Thousands.
nay, hundreds OF thousands. would
have blessed him. He might have
put a stop to the murder In Europe.
The blessings and tears of thanks
Of the mothers, wives and children
of all the warning nations would have
been his reward. | say all nations.
for the pain and heart pang Of
widows and orphans is the same in
all countries, be they English,
French, German or Russian. But he
pushed aside this most glorious of
all names; with sneering contempt
he looked upon the blessings and
prayers OF thanks. He preferred to
be cursed, and the maledlction and
heart cries Of many thousands OF
widows and orphans sounded more
gloriously in his ears. Instead of
becoming the ~benefaetor Of mankind,
he preferred to be the willing tool
Of English interests, or, as some call
him, the first British President OF
America.
In my long active life | have always
abstaineds from participating in
political agitation. Only once did |
make an exception. Only once. when
the present President had been
nominated. rejoiced in the nominal
ton. / welcomed in him the man of
culture, the man of knowledge. the
man OF quiet scientific conception of
all questions. | saw the end of the
petty bargaining politician, and the
rise Of a new glorious son of free
dom. For this reason | rushed into
the whirlpool of the campaign /
worked, and addressed my friends
in his favor, from free will; and
thousands of citizens of German
extraction. who, like myself, were
disguised with the wire-pulling
politicians, welcomed this new, long
hoped-for era with joy. Many diff
ferent elements contributed to his
election, the most important without
doubt, the discord in the camp OF
his opponents. But I believe that
the German-Americans, of whom at
least 90% voted for him, decided the
election In several states.
Our disillusion has been bitter. but
thorough. Instead OF q ~far-seeing
scholar, we have elected a nagging
s~cnool-ma'am. Instead Of a man of
worldwide culture and education
a narrow hearted fanatic. Instead
of a man who could rise above
parties and nations, an obedient
Servant of the money power. II his
party should be reckless enough to
renominate him, the German-Amer-
leans will remember this sower of
hatred, and | hope that none of us
viii forget his ~self-respect as a born
German, and vote for him again.
The beautiful structure of real
neutrality and international peace
has been sha Uttered and destroyed by
this war. The most pitiful part is
by the so-called Pacifists,-
the peace societies. They have not
to one single strong, courageous
II the many Influential,
wealthy and powerful men who
formed these societies had coura-
geously practisGd wat they preached,
they might have enforced the en-
barge on arms and ammunition,
the first and most powerful means
to promote international peace. But
they bowed before their God.
Mammon. Many of them put their
dove Of peace In a hidden cage and
preferred to earn millions in the
manufacture Of ammunition! Indeed,
apostles Of Peace.
To bring about international peace,
! complete change in the hearts of
Iii mankind must take place. The
word Patriotism must take a higher,
purer meaning. In its name they
burn and murder. Each one in the
of all the belligereRts believes
10 serve his country and to bring a
sacrifice by giving his life
lor it.
Patriotism, today, is closely re-
ated to international hatred. and
his international hatred is the cancer
mankind. 1t is a terrible disease
hat again and again breaks forth
NEW, that kills thousands, millions;
Ind that in spite of all these devasta-
ions, is fondled and nursed In every
country. A dire specter that is
covered, by leaders and teachers of
sEery country, with gaudy colors.
lad in golden garments, and is then
,araded before fanatic masses as a
wonderful goddess. At one time 1t
vas the same with Religion. In her
unthinkable cruelties were
pernicious wars con-
The more devoted one was,
he more sincerely he could pray
he more ardently he wished for the
destruction of his neighbor Of diff
ierent creed, the higher his hearti
Would beat at the view Of an auto
la fe. Fortunately, ali thisfs different
low. Mankind has a higher and
lobler conception of the duties and
yorkings of religion. Love and peace
lave taken the place Of hatred and
Thus, also Patriotism must
,e led on q HIGHER, nobIer path.