The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-13
NORTH DAKOTAN
OF GERMAN BIRTH
EXPLAINS Why HE
LEFTFATHERLAND
Frederick Beier, Sr., Car
rington, Proud To Be
United States Citizen
NEVER SORRY HE
CAME TO AMERICA
GeT1nan-A Americans Must
Get On American Side
And Stay There


We must not stand with foot
on one side of the line. We must
get over on the American side
and stay there.
So let US stand up for this gov
eminent It is our govern
ment.
If we save our money and lose
the war, what do we gain7
When someone argues that *
we side in with America we are
lighting our own blood, let us
tell them that fighting against
Its own blood Is what makes
America the land OF the free to-
day.
If the freedom which we now
enjoy has been bought with the
blood Of thousands OF liberty
loving young men and years OF
strife, are we who come here and
share IL without one cent Of
cost to us going to fight against
It now that 1t needs us?
Frederick Beier, ST., Darlington
N. D., manager OF the Hammer
HaivoEson- Beier line OF grain eleva-
tors, born in Germany, has never
been sorry that ne came to America,
In q statement to German Ameri-
cans. Mr.. Beier explains why he left
the FatherIand.
ITO all people Of German blood
who live in this state or elsewhere
In the United States, whether you
are citizens or have intended to be-
come such, have a few words to
say about what our duty is in this
war" says Mr.. Beier in The Car
rington Independent.
There is much written and said
these days about the Germans in
America. Some Of the things said
about us are kind; some of them I'M
kind Many things are said that are
unkind because we are not under
stood and we are not making the eff
fort we should to show that there Is
mo reason for people to believe as
they do.
Il feel that It is my duty to- say a
few words TO the Germans for two
reasons. One is, because am a
German born in West Prussia in
1850 and lived there until / was 21
years old, so know something about
the Fatherland. The other is be-
cause I am citizen OF the United
States and have not forgotten my
oath OF allegiance which I swore as
soon after coming here as 1 could get
my papers. Also see what my duty
as a citizen is and want TO do it as
Tar as / am able.
"one Of the first questions I
am often asked, why did you
leave Germany?' Well, that Ia
net hard 20 answer. My faith
er was q poor man with q fam
ily Of nine children. He owned
only seven acres Of land. IL
was hard TO make a living for us
al and there was no chance for
me 70 get any part Of II when
had grown up. IL was not like
in this country where nearly sV-
cry farmer can spare 100 acres
wants 20 farm. " ] stayed over
there and hired out az q Iaborinu
man the best wages could earn
as 3 common lahorer was so
cents a day. A a skilled me-
ehanie the best wages I could
earn would be 81 a day.
~The most thrifty man who
worked as a common Iaborer could
save but about $50 I'm one year,
and think what long time IL would
take to get enough together to buy
even q few acres Of land when IL
Besides, IL cost more to live there,
bsince though the land produced well,
hhere were extra heavy taxes over
what we pay here. There was the
military tax, and there was the royal
tax that was for the benefit Of the
lroyal family. These taxes amount
Ted to about $50 per acre over the
regular taxes such as we pay here,
or as much as plenty Of land can
he sought for in this country.
No Free Homestead Land.
"Over in Germany there was no
free homestead land like we have |
and which has been the start in the |
prosperity which many Germans |
NOW in this country enjoy. There /
was no land to be had except at a |
lhigh price and the poor man had no
chance for getting ahead in the
world
Besides, II / had stayed in Ger
imany would have had to take three /
years Of military training and after
that give about two months Of each l
year to military work and be sub
iect to call for active service at any
time. This would have continued
true until was 45 years old, and
after that I would have had to Join
THE land reserve or home guard, as II
is known here.
The only thing that I could get
over there that amounted to any
thing was q good common school |
education but there were no free
higher schools and no chance for a
poor fellow TO better himself
We Germans often heard and
talked Of America and many who
could get away were anxious TO
come 70 q land that we heard so
much about. with its free lands, free
schools and freedom Of all kinds
2hat we did not enjoy there.
Not Sorry He Emiarated.
4 was one OF those who erntgrated
a. the United States, and I have
never been sorry that did so In
stead OF being sorry am glad II
came and I am proud TO let Il be
known that ] as as true an Ameri-
can citizen as I know how to be. \
Why shouldn't / be glad when IA
cempara what Germany has 20 offer
me alongside of what America Of
fers2 I am not the biggest man in
ihia country. Ear from III. but am
su Independent American citizen.
long as I am honest and tend to
ng business. am the equal or ev-
y man here. don't have to take
be- my hat to any man unless / want
To- and the men In this country who
are big meet me on an equal foot
ng
Instead or being q poor laborer