The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-21
SCHILLER LODGE. /. o. o. r..
LOYAL TO THE PRESIDENT
AsA - German Descent Firmly with
Esuvexmment-War VIII Enlarge
Spirit Of Frnternalism.

Can interview
There was the usual large attendance
at the regular meeting OF Schiller
lodge, No. ise. at Its hall. No. 2o+1 West
Broad street, last Wednesday night
This lodge of Odd Fellows Is COM
posed almost entirely of men of Ger
man descent. Their organization 10
enthusiastic and thrifty. The member
ship 10 devoted to the principles OF the
order. Odd Fellowship is not only
practicsd In their lodge room. but
forms = part Of their daily religion
amongst their feiiowmen. They repre-
sent every walk In life from the man
of manual labor to the high profess
sions. In tho sessions of the lodge the
entire proceedings. including all min
utes. records and speeches. are con-
Quoted IN the German language The
fact that the United states Is at war
with the fatherland does not embarrass
them In the least nor do they regard
their German nativity and character
as modifying their loyalty or disturb
inE their patriotism for America
A heart to heart interview dtseloses
tho fact that every one of the brothers
CT German blood are truly American.
They have their families here and
all their interests are here. Their lots
are cast absolutely on this side the
vide Atlantic. They know no pa
trietsam save for the stars and Stripes
which daily adorns the rostrum Of
thsir lodge room.
A prominent member of Schiller
lodEa. speaking about the questions OF
loyalty so often discussed In America
today as applied to the citizens OF
German bioed. said that this war is
not a war against Germany-~ths Gar
many of peaceful industry-but war
against Prussian sutocrssic ambition.
He added:
when George washington and his
men fought against England. the war
was not against the English people.
but against the tyranny OF George III.
They remembered well the proud flag
of the mother country. They had ties
OF blood there, yet they fought as never
fseHt fought swfore. They fought for a
principle, There were siaekers and
traitors to be sure. but every true
American patriot WAS y full blood Eng
lishman.
NO men on earth loved more dear
IL their country and ifs nag than ala
the r'en who followed Lee and Jack
son. indeed the federal government
wa virtually the very child of Old
virginia. She had done more 10 Gre
ate II than all other colonies combined.
Che had furnished the father of the
country. Her genius had erected its
form OF government Her talent had
designed Its constitution and her sons
had proudly adorned It's greatest poets
OF honor She had lowered the new
republic with great areas of rich and
fertile lands upon which today can be
found a half dozen OF the greatest
states Of the nation. Virginia heheld
1t with love and pride in her great
heart, yet a principle dearer to the
soul of every VirEtnian than all e'se
sent her sons to war against tho flag
ukr hs SssF4 "
began can be found men more loyal to
a cause than were thoee southern he
roes of the sixties
We Germans are not ashamed of
the name nor OF tho language We
are ashamed OF the unQuenehaele mad
ness OF the rulers Of our race across the
seas We are ashamed and humsltated
that the proud civilization of our kfns-
men abroad In being trsased at the
chariot wheels of a prussian Mere We
are true and patriotic American cit
isena Our loyalty 10 undefled by ties
OF foreign blood. The Stars and Stripes
fs cur flag. II 10 the emblem OF our
country. Our children are beinx born
hare, ana We want our chiidren's chill
dren to live here and to love and cher
sah this great land of the free. where
man and woman can look up In the
blue heavens and breathe Gods frse
fresh Air and share the blessings OF hu-
man liberty.
We are the original Angles and
6AxonA No race OF men on earth ever
1raved liberty more nor were willing
TO Axht for II more bravely than these.
when the president ana congress
declared that = state Of war existed
between the imperial German govern
msnt ana the United States our lodge
Yassed unanimously a resolution writ
ten In German and as taken from our
trocoyAn thu following Ia n free but
correct Translation:
whereas, Schiller lodge. No. 1873. I.
o. O. r.. 10 the only German speaking
ledge OF odd Fellows III the state OF
Virginia: be II
Resolved. That Schiller lodge
pledges it, hearty and undivided 10y
atty ana support to the United States