Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
MISSOURI VALLEY, IOWA. THURSDAY AUGUST O. 1917
II 1 WE'RE 4 GERMAN

opportunity for the development
of my individual self; to escape
the Prussian (crush-ian) auto
cratic domineering form of gov
ernment which l left beyond the
ocean and, if after making my
home beneath the stars anC
stripes my fatherland was to be-
come embroiled in huge con-
flict with other nations Of Eu-
rope, yea a conflict of such gil
gantic proportion that it shook
the world and threatened the life
of many nations, and if the LAND
that l had adopted remained neu-
trail there would still be in my
heart a feeling that was pro my
native land. If l were an English
man or a Frenchman or stock
from other of the warning ma
tions, my heart would still feel
pro my native land. And l would
not be natural if it were other
wise, for we are prone to hold to
that which we have had and we
are sure to have fond memories
of those places where we romped
as boy. True l may have
adopted new country, true l may
have sworn allegiance to a new
flag from loving choice and by no
means force, but still there would
be sympathy for my fatherland
in its struggle with nation that
meant nothing to me except
enemy.
So time has dipped it's pen in
blood and has smeared across tine
face of the old world this very
condition except we must retain
the IF l were" etc.
If l were German and living
in America partaking of it's pro-
tecting benefits and was giving
my sympathy to my native land
in a struggle, that did not con-
Germ America (now) my country
and, if the ravages of war had so
pressed my native land that il
was forced to resort to methods
of warfare that crossed the
ideals held by my adopted coun-
try, methods that violated the
laws of the human heart, which
methods in time of peace we
would not even practice on a
pole cat, SO that the land OF my
adoption became involved in the
conflict under the banner of
righteousness and in the name of
humanity, I would think again on
the question of sympathy I
would feel that my rights had
been attached, yes my rights now,
for had l not adopted these prin-
ciples and rights as my own, had
| not accepted the country that
upheld these principles and bled
them into it's glorious flag with
the blood of its past heroes? Was
| not now enjoying the protec-
tion of American justice, was |
not now that individual self, free
to think and live life of equal
ity with all fellow citizens of a
great democracy? Had l not
reached a plane of social equality
of financial independence and
was there not now open to me an
opportunity to make and own my
own little home without obliga-
ton to lord or landowner? We're
not these things all mine, yea in
a single generation had l not
come into that freedom of living
for which my ancestors labored
for thousand years, but all in.
vain under an abominahle sys-
tenn of caste? Were not my
children receiving their education
in public schools of America,
was l not earning my living i'll
Z merlcan money AMI having my
life, family and property pro-
tected by American taxpayers ?
We're not the boys in uniform 60.
ing 10 sacrifice their all in al for.
ME as much as for a natural
born American-damn it all.
would | not be an American with
everything in the world that
owned and enjoyed at the present
the result of my living here? Ay,
Mculd / not be dirty skunk il L
lifted my voice against or refused
to support this nation to which
owe everything in their war
against power which l was glad
to escape even though it be the
land of my birth?
Yet do meet men who refuse
to aid the Libery Loan, the Red
Cross, the Y. M. C. A. work among
soldiers and every other phase Of
our war preparations, but me-
thinks that if the conflict reached
this side of the water, if trouble
threatened their lives or property
they would be the first to cry
Where are the soldiers? Why
don't the United States protect
its people?
Let US each ask ourselves if by
word Of mouth and by action we
are worthy of fhaf nnntaotinn