TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1916-11-03

Since 1882 when / helped to
arrange the first German Day,
which was celebrated on Octo-
Der 9th, 1888, I have served
you conscientiously without re-
Enumeration Of any kind, and !
hope that in return for my la
bors / have won your affection
and respect, which to me is the
highest reward obtainable.
Though frequently tempted to
enter politics l have scrupulous-
ly declined to do so, because !
did not wish TO appear as hav-
ing profted BY my altruistic
labors. For the last sixteen
years, since you have elected
me president Of the National
German American Alliance, |
have even reirained from pu-
blicly endorsing any candidate,
because the National German
American Alliance is an incor-
porated non-political non-sectar-
ian body, prohibited by its
charter and its bylaws to enter
politics and its officers and
Board of Directors would be
liable TO Imprisonment and
heavy pecuniary fines should
the National German American
Alliance expend even one cent
for the election of any federal
candidate.
This appeal (for the printing
and distribution OF which ].
have paid, and for which l am
solely liable) is. therefore, only
the opinion OF a native Amer
lean who feels that it would be
a cowardly shrinking Of his duty
as a citizen il he withheld his
opinion at this critical moment.
The reasons why | cannot
support President Wilson for
reelection have been so tersely
and we'll stated by a prominent
native American Attorney OF
Baltimore, in a pamphlet %entitl-
ed-"Wanted-A Man for
President" that I quote the
article for your benefit:
when in August, 1914, war
was declared between the ma
lions Of Europe an opportunity
was presented to America to
seize the reins Of commercial
supremacy and drive ahead Of
its sore-pressed competitors.
"The world lay, an open field,
ahead of Us. 1t was ours for.
the cultivation. The war was
no concern of ours. Though we
might deplore it and extend
cur sympathy and aid to its
victims, it did not become us
10 take sides and throw stones.
eve had been on friendly and
intimate terms with all the war
ring people, our logical course
was to continue 50. We were
strong enough to say to each
AS much as we regret your
~quarrels and enmities we shall
not be a party thereto. As we
have dealt in the past, 50 shall
re continue in the future. Our
intercourse and our dealings
shall not abate; wheat and
wares you shall freely have, but
not weapons Of murder and de-
s~truction.' Thus had a true
humanity spoken.
"Then VIZ should have begun
to make and market our pro-
ducts throughout the world
particularly opening the great
gates Of South America to-
those goods that Europe could
no longer deliver.
"Then we might have had a
prosperity that would have been
lasting and profitable beyond
the days Of ourselves and unto
our children and c%hildren's
children.
Instead, our mills and our
factories were pushed to their
utmost in making the internal
paraphernalia Of war. For a
brief space we have an I'M
healthy prosperity Caincursed
prosperity carrying with it a
hate and fury that will later
wreak its vengeance upon our
children and children's children.
Had VIZ had a man in the
Presidential chair at the Capt.
tal-one true to the traditions
of Washington and Jefferson
this would not have been.
AZ it is, in all things, VIII
son, like an ass between two
bundles of hay, has hesitated
and fa1tered. Surrounded by
weaklings and men of little
strength, he has, in the egotism
born Of his conceit, alone under
" 1T