The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-10-18
81!
GERHlN-iNEPIClN LOYALTY.

GERHlN-iNEPICAN LOYALTY.
The Federal Committee of Public III
formation has furnished the Banner
with Il hoOiilet entitled american
Loyalty" the same being Il compila-
ton of short articles by citizens Of the
United States of German birth or de-
scent The Banner makes two ex-
cerpts from this hooklet. and the same
will ne doubt prove of unusual in
terest.
The following, appearing under the
heading we make use of above. is cred
tied to &. Katzenabe:
My emotions tell ne one thing at
this awful time, but my reason tells
me another As Il German by birth it
is il horrible calamity that | may have
to fight Germans. That is natural. is
it not: But as an American by pref
erence. | can see no other course open.
For twenty-five years Germany has
shown dislike fer the United States
the Samoan affair. the HongkOng con-
tretempts, the Manila Bay incident.
the ,Inguarded words of the Kaiser
himself, and, lastly, the Haitian con-
troycrsy in 1914 =. And it has
not been from mere commercial or dip
lOnatic friction. 1t is because their
ideals Of government are absolutely
4
down. 1t is for us to say now which
it shall he.
Because of my birth and feelings
beyond M control | have 10 particu-
lar love for the French and less for
the British. But by a strange irony of
fate | see those nations giving their
blood for principles which hold dear.
against the wrong principles of people
| individually love. 1t is very un-
happy paradox. hut one l cannot es-
cape. | do not want tc see the Allies
triumph ever the land Of my birth.
But | very much want to see the tri-
unph Of the ideals they fight for.
1T sickens my soul to think of this
nation going forth tC help destroy peo-
pie many OF when are bound to me by
ties of Eleod and friendship. But it
must be so. Il is like Il dreadful sur
gical operation. The nlilitaristic, UNI
democratic demon which rules Ger
many must he cast out. 1t is for US to
do it-now. ! have tried to tell my
self that it is not our affair, that we
should have contented ourselves with
measures of defense and armed neu-
tralit!. Rut I know that is not so.
The mailed fist has been shaken under
cur nose before. If prussianism tri-
uinphs in this war the fist will con-
ti1lue to shake. We shall be in real
peril, and those ideals for which so
much Of the worlds best blood has
been spilled through the centuries will
he in danger of extinction. 1t seems
to me common sense that we begin our
demon is occupied and when we can
command assistance.
There is much talk of what people
like me Will do, and fear of the n.y.
phen. No such thing exists. The
German-American is as Staunch as the
American of adoption of any other
land and perhaps more SO. Let us
make war upon Germany. not for re-
vengc not to uphold hairsplittiug quib.
blcs cf international law. but let us
make WAR with eur whole heart and
with all Cur strength. because Ger.
many werships one god and we an.
other and because the lion and the
lamb cannot lie down together One
or the other must perish.
Let rs make war upon the Germa
ny OF the ,!unkerthum the German.
Cf ffightfu!ness the Germany of ar
rogance and seltshness. and let u.
swear not To make peace until the I'm
perial German Government is the SOW
ereign German people"
The following, published under til,
caption The call and the Reply" wa
written some months ago by \. J. Blu
cher. CT Cincinnati, Ohio, editor o
Hons Gad Herd:
THE fact that the United States ar,
about to enter war against the Contra
Powers of Europe is cause of grea
SORROW and pain to us Americans O
Gernian descent. We find ourselves
thrGwn into conflict of feelings am
also Of duties such as we have neve
experienced before. 1t must now he
come manifest what our loyalty Il
American citizens is worth. 1t i
worth nothing If it cannot stand tin
most severe test of the present crisis
The lineS Of duty are very clear fo
every one that has sworn the oath o
naturalization. Under I'LL possible cir
cunlstanees we have to stand faith
fully Ivy the Star-Spanyled Banner
The individual will has to yield to til
will of the nation. as it is espresso,
by our Congress and by the President
And no former connections whateve
nor any personal sympathies or apl
thies. however natural and strong the
may he, must he allowed to influence
our sense of duty in this respect. Il
America, which we. prompted by low
and gratitude. have chosen as cur new
homeland, we eve everything which
may justly require from us as citizens
When conscience speaks. the hear
must keep silent.