The Washington times., 1918-01-14

to cope with the problem Of unem-
Payment and to meet the dread ad-
vent Of sickness, incapacity and old
age in the case of those whose means
do not permit them to provide for
rainy day. We must give heed to
the problem Of obtaining fair and
fitting compensation for the profess
sional man, the worker in every ,oc-
cupation whose life, too often, is op-
pressed by the preoccupation Of how
to find the wherewithal to provide
for himself and his family.
PRE-WAR FERMENTING.
Even before the war, a great stir
ring and ferment was going on in
the land. The people were cropping,
seeking for new and better condi-
tion of things. The war has inten-
sified that movement. 1t has torn
great assures in the ancient struc-
ture of our civilization. To restore it
will require the cooperation Of all
patriotic men of sane and temperate
views, whatever may be their occu-
patton or calling or political affilia-
tions. 1t cannot be restored just as
it was before. Some changes, essen
tial changes, must be made. The
building must be rendered more
habitable and attractive to those
whose claim for adequate house
room cannot be left unheeded, either
justly or safely. l have no fear of
the outcome and of the readjust-
ment which must come. l have no
fear Of the forces of freedom unless
they be ignored, repressed or falsely
and selfshly led.
l have spoken already far longer
than l ought to. Yet / believe you
expect me to say one thing more.
When your president did me the
honor Of inviting me to come here,
he referred to a recent speech of
mine on the subject Of "Prussian-
lied Germany" and implied that he
would like to have me make a few
remarks in a similar sense on this
occasion Speaking in a city which
contains many who, like myself, are
of German birth, ! will, therefore,
with your indulgence, say a few
more words addressed more particu-
larly to Americans of my own blood.
Heaven knows 1 do not want, by
anything l may be saying or doing,
to add one ounce to the burden of
the worlds execration which rests
already with crushing weight upon
the rulers of Germany and their mis-
guided people. Nor do seek for
giveness for my German birth by
demonstrative zeal in action or
speech. l was and am proud Of the
great inheritance which came to me
as birthright, and of the illustrious
contributions which the German peo-
pie have made to the imperishable
assets of the world. Until the out
break of the war in 1914, l main
tanned close and active personal and
business relationS with Germany. I
was well acquainted with some Of the
leading personages Of the country. l
served in the German army thirty
years ago. / took an active interest
in furthering German art in America.
do not apologize for nor am l
ashamed of my German birth. But
/ am ashamed-bitterly and griev-
Ously ashamed-Of the Germany
which stands convicted before the
high tribunal of the worlds public
oninion of having planned and will
ed war; of the revolving deeds COM
mitted in Belgium and northern
France, Of the infamy Of the Lusi-
tania murders, Of innumerable vio-
lations of The Hague convention
and the law of nations, Of abomin-
able and perfdious plotting in
friendly countries and shameless
abuse of their hospitality, Of crime
heaped upon crime in defiance of the
laws of God and men.
! cherish the memories Of my
youth, but these very memories
make me cry out in pain and wrath
against those who have befouled
the spiritual soil Of the old Ger
many in which they were rooted.
There Is abundant evidence that
the overwhelming majority of
Americans of German descent, in
deed, all but an insignificant mi
nority, meant what they said when
they swore sole and full allegiance
to America, that thew will prove
themselves wholly worthy Of the
high privilege of citizenship and of
the generous trust of their fellow
citizens, and that they will not fail
or falter under any test whatsoever.
They will not permit the blood in
their veins to drown the conscience
in their breast. They will heed the
call of honor beyond the call Of
race. They will wear as. a badge of
honor-as l do-the abuse and spite
Of those few in this country who
love Germany better than they love
America.
SHOULD SPEAK OUT.
But it is not enough for us Amer
leans of German descent to do our
duty by our country and our fellow
citizens. however, fully and unreserv-
edly, if we do SO in resigned and op-
pressed silence. believe we should
speak out. We should give voice to
our infexible loyalty and to our
deep conviction of the righteousness
of Americas cause.
1t is hard, indeed, for us to ar
raign publicly the country from
which we sprang and to turn
against our own kith and kin, how
ever deep our detestation Of their
W-rongdoing under the spiritual and