New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-08-01

eff all the money in the state Of Min
nesota were piled on this table ahd offered
to me that would be willing for my boy
to 20 across the ocean and fight in the
trenches I would throw it in the face
of the man who dared to tempt me. l
love my country from the bottom of my |
heart, but I am going to stand by the
boys.
MIR. Retzlaff explained that number
Of petitions had been prepared, petitioning
Congress and the President, that the
draft law might be changed, exempting {
those who objected from going to Europe
to fight in the trenches. 80, - /
Believe IN Democracy,
ts*This great assemblage proves that
we are democratic said Prof. M. J.
Wagner, instructor. in the DR.. Martin
Luther college, who followed Mr.. Retz-
laff on the program, and who is among
the drafted men. -..2 ~.-r.
"The Constitution Of the United
States gives US the right: to assemble
and address petition Of redress to our
government, he said
Professor Wagner opposes giving full
power to the President in this war, as
undenidcratfe, but autocratic, which
we propose to destroy. 49,.
t''The draft law is undeanocratic be-
cause it forces people to fight against
their DESIRES" continued THE speaker.
IF our boys are forced to fight, then we
are not fighting for democracy, but
for. autocracy> We say that if the
government repeats the draft law and
clearly defines the aims of the war and
we must fight for democracy we need
no draft. for everybody would be willing
to enlist. If we fight this war in an
autocratic manner for democratic ideals,
we are not consistent
| Prof. A. Ackermann of the DR.. Martin
Luther College came after a very busy
day and said, that he had not found time
to prepare speech. He said that every
\ citizen has right to express his opinion.
One reason for his appearance before
the audience was his desire to testify
to the loyalty, patriotism and peace
fulness of the citizenship of New Ulm.
In the long years since he came to New
Ulm he has had opportunity to become
acquainted with these and he would
consider himself a coward if he did not
testify for them in times like these,
when so many unjustifed accusations
are brought against them. He said
that he found better citizens in this
country as we'll as abroad.
| Prof. Ackermann spoke in favor of
sending petitions to the president
and congress mainly for the reason,
that our representative in Congress
does not work in the interests of the
voters. More than 80 per cent of the
voters are of different opinion about
his duty than he is. Loud applause
tfollowed this remark and Prof. Acker
mann replied: II do not give snap for
your applause if you do not go to the
polls and see to it, that this representative
is not reelected"
The speaker said, that our citizens
have right to know exactly what they
are fighting for. We do not want to
fight for Wall Street, England or France.
If they tell us, it is war for humanity
they better create humanity in our own
country first. AS an example the speak,
er mentioned the recent killing of negroes
in, East St. Louis and the conditions |
under which thousands of workingmen
and women have to work. He closed
with an appeal not to forget our duties
as American citizens.
: The following petition was signed bv
several thousand Of those present at
the meeting and the copies now in cir
culation are being freely signed:
"Avowing our loyalty to this coun-
try and pledging in it's defense the
highest sacrifices to the extent of life
itself If need be, and with full real
ization of the difficulties that be-
set government in times of war.
we respectfully petition the Presi-
dent and Congress of this nation not
to transport or force across the ocean
to the battlefelds of Europe any
men outside of the regular army,
contrary to their desires, bu, that
such matter be left to voluntary |:
enlistments'
Hofmeister's Band, which occupies
The band stand, played patriotic airs
after each of the speeches. At the close !
II the program the band played came g