The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-21
Catholic Churches

The Rev George Giglinger of st.
Mary's church, spoke as represen-
tative of the Catholic churches of the
city.
Mr.. Scott said in introduction:
TN looking over Of the list of 167
names of men, whom will entrain to-
morrow morning for Camp Dodge,
we find that about one-half Of them
are of German descent, and thought
that they would be pleased to hear
an address. from one of the most
loyal German-Americans In Lee
county or any other county In the
state, and l consider 1t great honor
in having the pleasure to introduce
the Rev. father Giglinger."
Father Giglinger's address follows:
"Mr. Chairman, Selected Men for
the Army, Ladies and Gentlemen:
II appreciate the honor of having
been asked to address you this even
ing, and particularly SO because
come from a country for which feel
but duty to my country OF adoption
goes before feeling. l am glad TO
be able to say for the Catholics OF
our community, and indeed, of every
community of this great country OF
ours, that in spite of accusations
against us by the Menace, by Tom
Watson's LETTERS onian and by other
un-American, money
grabbing, lying scandal sheets, that
we are Papists, therefore un-Amer1-
can. I am glad to say that, thanks
be to God, we are not guilty, we
have no. slackers in our Catholic
ranks. The enlistments in the army
and navy, far above the proportion
of our Catholic population, Will bear
me out. Our allegiance to the pope
is misunderstood; it is a spiritual
and not a POLITICAL one. We have
only one political allegiance and that
is to the Stars and Stripes. Every
Catholic next to God, loves his coun-
try with a sincere, intense love; In
deed, no Catholic can ever become a
traitor to his country unless he first
leaves his God, rejects the teachings
of his church and hands his soul over
TO the devil We Catholics together
with our non-Catholic brothers, con-
slider it our duty as well as an honor
to pour out for our common country
our blood and our treasure, even to
the last drop of blood and the last
far-thing. It Is but natural that we
love to see the Stars and Stripes,
the emblem of democracy and Of our
God given liberties to float above
every other flag in the world, to be
on the highest pinnacle. hence woe
be to the nation that dares to pull
II down! This war is for us great
melting pot; nothing unites people as
quickly and as permanently as suf-
ferings. The different nationalities
in this country are all thrown into
this cleansing fire of patriotism, and
during. and forever after the war we
shall have but one type Of citizen
ship, and that is the truly American,
not made up Of union Of types, but
one type, unit, pure and simple.
Oh Columbia, America. fafrest gem
of the ocean, beloved daughter Of the
most high God, how dear thou art
to our hearts! It's sweet to love
thee in peace, but 1t is more glorious
and God-lfke to love thee in war, in
times Of troubles and trials; for thee
we are willing and ready, yes, glad
to pour out blood and treasure. Thy
flag we shall follow, the Stars and
Stripes we shall defend now and for
ever. Trusting in Gods love. mercy
and protection, confiding In you,
selected men, we wish you God-speed
We will pray for you and help you
or yours all we can; yes. we will not
forget you. God be with you"