Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1918-02-15
ADVISE nor 10 PREACH
GERMAN IN IDAHO.

Preaching in the German language
in Idaho churches Ia about a thing
Of the past. but there are still some
isolated congregations that listen to
the language against which there Is
such a war prejudice. 1t has been re-
Gently rumored that occasions have
occurred when one preacher IN north
Aast Idaho has been using the IAN
guage In a service.
In communication TO the Exam
aer. the state defense council sass
il Is a matter OF profound regret
that there are some pastors who have
not consented to Arrangement BIZ
which they preached only in the
american language
II goes on 70 sRy that 1t assumes
that these pastors and their Cocks are
loyal American citizens. and that q Is |
regrettable that they cannot zee the
reasonahienesa and the necessity of
doing no, and Of avoiding anything
thru which aid and comfort might be
giving TO the enemy government or
which might be suspected Of being q
means OF doing co."
The American people are sending
their sens TO war against an enemy
government. they are giving money
and. making sacrifices 60 overthrow
The hostile power OF that government
and they Rre In no mood 60 tolerate
anything which 10 not plain and open,
so that IL may be known by All that
there n nothing hostile under cover.
Meetings % any KIND In an IN
known tongue, whether the meeting
are political or religious. are likely
TO provoke suspicion and resentment.
The foreign tongue is . casnouGake
under which hostile sentiment and
hostile activities might be carried ON.
and when II 10 the tonKae Of Rov-
ernmena with which, unfortunately
we are at war. II win arouse suspicion
and resentment
We have thousands OF eitlzens of
German ancestry and OF German birth
whom we have gladly welcomed and
whom we look upon as our brethren.
and fellow citizens. entitled to the
protection OF the laws. to our eco
monte and social opportunities. and
who unite with ug In the support of
the same flag and building ap Of the
same free commonwealth.
We do not wish to look upon these
people with suspicion or diwtrust. We
take It that having discovered In
America ideals and opportunities
which they declared for themselves
and their children, they are willing
to unite wholeheartedly I'm the task
o. building up this commonwealth.
To do this we must become homo
geneoun in laws. customs, Ideals. To
promote separatfHs movement. Go
keep US apart in speech, customs.
sources OF information ana sympa.
thies, II bad in war or peace. But
now that we are at war. &c becomes
lntoierabls.
There is no law 40 yet Rorbldding
meetings conducted in q foreign
tongue. The BOlsheyiki and numerous
other anti-American propagandlsta
are yet at liberty to hide their work
from American people. Doubtless
the president by proclamation could
do this, but he has not as yet done ne.
II may and probably win be necessary
for the Idaho legislature to require
that during the period OF the war all
public meetings be conducted in the
American language. II will be far
better, however, for all loyal AmeYI-
cans. who commonly OF sometimes
converse In q foreign tomgue. to vol-
UNFAIRLY conform to what 30 clearly
even for their own protection il the
part of wisdom.
As yet, few OF our sona have fallen
in battle. but aoon the lists VIII
iengthen. and as the blood sacrifice
begins to press in upon our minds and
hearts, we will become less tolerant
Of any hiding place where an alien
enemy or an enemy citizen may lnrk
n