Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-04-10
DR.. CONOVER'S ADDRESS
CONTINUED from first page. }

figure there are over 400 900 Ger
man spies in the United States at
the present time. Do you realize
that means nearly 10000 to each
state? 1t it not only a possibility,
but great probability, that we have
them right here in our own COM
munity. Are we doing our duty If
we do not rid ourselves of this fes-
terlng menace; can we sit with
folded arms and silent tongues,
when we know there are more than
5000 900 aliens in this country who
have not even applied for naturaliza-
ton who are acceptive of the hos
pitality and enjoying the benefits Of
a government where freedom OF
@roe"h il allowed, where one can
worship his God according to the
dictates o. mis- own conscience with
out bowling to king or kaiser, a
blessing purchased by the blood OF
our forefathers and being paid for
b, tho blood OF our sons.
l tell you the time has come to
speak the truth and speak it fear
lessly. The time has come when
we should not let political differen-
ces interfere with our duties to our
lie lllllc Ids COuC WuSh
we should cease to bubble over fan
atical dOgmas of sectarianism, ar
as united people acknowledge one
God, one country and one language.
The time has arrived when we
should cease to be Irishmen in the
old accepted sense. The time has
come when We should cease to be
Scandinavians in the old accepted
sense. The time has come when we
should cease to be Englishmen in
the old accepted sense. The time has
come when we should cease to be
Germans in the old accepted sense.
But American 100 per cent pure.
And why not? We are not estab-
fishing a precedent. Did not George
Washington lead those stalwart
:. Americans of English blood and
birth against the armies of old King
George to win the independence OF
bur Is original colonies? Did not
our myrtered, but immortal Abra-
ham Lincoln call upon the Ameri-
cans of the north to fight the Arfieri-
cans of the SOUTH when literally
father was arrayed against son and
brother against brother in mortal
combat. that our lives, our homes,
our country and our union might be
maintained. And now we call upon
with equal right and demand that
every American citizen of German
descent join in our country's righte-
GUS cause in fighting an enemy of
their own blood, thereby fuseing
their very hearts and souls into
: clean citizenship of the country Of
| ri 9
listen to the narrative OF noted
divine, who. after the smoke and
roar of battle had cleared and the
fab of evening had settled over that
part of blood soaked France, he
Il walked forth upon the field and soon
came upon the PROSTATE form OF an
allied soldier whose well groomed
uniform and general appearance in
dicated a young man OF culture and
worth, and stopped and carefully
turned him over and then upon that
splendid forehead was the evidence
that the enemy's bullet had found
: its mark and as he stood gazing In
, to those sightless eyes there in the
sombre silence of that starlit night
there came to him a voice clear,
full and sweet which seemed to come
from those bloodless lips and said,
) This is my body, broken for you.
Parents do you know that was
your boy, that was my boy? Can you
then as loyal American citizens with
: clear minds and pure hearts divide
: your sympathies with a nation when
sentiment and love has given way
TO hatred where Prussian sports
men win their laurels and marks OF
: destination by bayoneting little chill
dren and numbering helpless women
: God forbid and keep us steadfast in
our high resolves.
To this, our service flag, emblem
of universal service, youngest mem
| Der in the family of Old Glory whose
, colors, red, white, and blue, tracing
tneir ancestry back through the ages
to old Mt Sinnai when the Lord
gave to Moses the Ten Command
: ments and the Book of the Law In
testimony of Gods will and mans
=, duty. Verify and truly there is no
such red in blossomed rose or maid
ems cheek as thy symbol of zeal and
courage and fervency. There is no
such white in lilly's bloom or WIN
ter's snow as thy emblem OF purity
or purpose ana CledHhCoo VI 4'N"i
There is no such blue this side the
yaulted dome of Heaven as thy
, sign of justice, and loyalty TO home
to country and to God. There is no
such star, save the Star or Eethle-
I ham, that represents such : noble
: sacrifice. Unto thee we, the Decoral
, Lodge of B. p. o. Elks dedicate our
services and consecrate our life's de-
votion. Unto the mothers OF these
S boys, aye, to every loyal American
mother in this broad land or ours
: we extend our most sincere sympa-
thy. With hearts filed with graft
: tude for your great and noble sacri-
| flee we extend our best Offices, WIN
= desire that we may, in some way
! be able TO assuage and lesson your
, sorrow and lift the weight OF care
. from your hearts.
| AS a father | feel | can express
> The feelings OF all fathers and IN so
doing express the feelings OF my
hearers. | know our boys are right,