The Washington herald., 1917-10-22
SINISTER PRUSSIANISM
MENACES ENTIRE WORLD
Being an address delivered by the distinguished
banker, Otto H. Kahn, before the Chamber
of Commerce of Harrisburg, Pa.

csded that our honor ana safety a.
msnded that we take up arms against
the imperial German government.
and by action of Congress the csn,e
and the fight against that fovern-
ment were declared our cause and
our nght
The duty Of loyal allegiance ana
faithful service 10 his country, even
unto death, rests. OF course, upon sv-
cry American But II IL be possible
TO speak Of q comparative degree con-
cerning what is the highest as Il 10
the most elementary attribute Of citi-
zenship. that duty may almost be
said 10 rest with an even more SOL
emn and compelling obligation upon
Americans Of foreign origin than
upon native Americana
For We Americans Of foreign anita
cedents are here not by the accident
al right Of birth. but by our own free
choice for better or for worse.
We are your fellow citizens be-
glance as given In good faith, and be-
cause you have opened TO US In gen.
erous trust the portals OF American
opportunity and freedom. and have
admitted US 10 membership In the
family Of Americans. giving ~ equal
rights In the great inheritance which
has been created by the blood and
the toll OF your ancestors. asking
nothing from us In return but decent
citizenship and adherence 10 those
ideals and principles which are sym
bolized by the glorious nag OF Amer
lea
Woe to the foreign-born American
who betrays the splendid trust which
you have reposed IN HIM
Woe to him who considers his
American citizenship merely as a con-
venient garment TO be worn in fair
weather but TO be exchanged for an
other one in time Of storm and stress!
Woe TO the German-Americsn. So
called, who. In this sacred war for a
cause as high as any for which ever
people took up arms. does not feel
a solemn urge. does not show an eag-
er determination TO be in the very
forefront OF the struggle: does not
prove a patriotic jealousy. in thought.
In action and in speech 20 rival and
outdo his native-born fellow citizen
In devotion and willing sacrifice fer
the country Of his choice and adop-
tion and sworn allegiance. and Of
their common affection and pride.
H1 I" aeAhAbAOu lto AIIltElChAAt cL
British blood 10 fight against Great
Britain, as Lincoln called upon Amer
leans Of the North to fight their very
brothers OF the South. so Americans
Of German descent are now summon
ed to join in our eountrys righteous
struggle against a people OF their own
blood, which, under the evil spell OF
dreadful obsession. and. heaven
knows. through no fault Of ours, has
made itself the enemy OF this peace
loving nation, as Il the enemy Of
peace and right and freedom through
out the world.
To gain Americas Independence. 10
defeat oppression and tyranny. was
Indeed 20 gain a great cause.
To preserve the Union. 70 eradicate
slavery, WAS perhaps a greater still
To defend the very foundations OF
liberty and humanity. the very
groundwork OF fair dealing between
nations, the very basis OF peaceable
living together among the peoples OF
the earth against the fierce and brut-
al onslaught OF ruthless, lsvless.
faithless might: TO spend the lives
and the fortunes OF this generation
so that our descendants may be freed
from the dreadful calamity OF war
and the fear OF war. so that the en-
ergies and billions OF treasure now
devoted to plans and instruments OF
destruction may be given henceforth
to fruitful works Of peace and prog
ress and TO the betterment OF the con-
ditions OF the people-thAt is the high
est cause for which any people ever
unsheathed its sword.
He who shrinks the fun measure o.
his duty and allegiance in that mobiles
OF causes. be he GermAn-AmerircEu.
Irish-American. be I. w. w. or So
cialist, or whatever the sppellation.
does not deserve 20 stand amongst
Americans or. IN deed. AMONGST free
men anywhere.
He who. secretly or overtly, tries TO
thwart the declared will and aim Of
the nation in this holy war Ia a trait
or. and traitors fate should be bis.