Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1918-03-21

Clpd1 dUUE0SS was u0l1VcT0u ny TTOI.
Alfred E. Koenig of the University
of Minnesota. The speech was de-
livered in German, as it was felt
that he could thereby reach the
greatest number of his auditors.
The speaker reviewed the causes
Of the coming of German people to
the United States, both from stand
point Of why they felt themselves i'm
PEELED to leave the old country, and
also in regard to what they expected
and found in this land of promise.
Whatever the reasons for coming to
this country may have been, he said,
1--WE all came in the hope and GER
tainty of happier and more content
ed days. II for instance, the one of
us emigrated to America because of
his religious convictions, he knew
that he could here carry out unhin-
dered the precepts of his religion. II
another one came to America be-
cause of political reasons-because
Of the old fatherland had become too
narrow for him politically. here he
found the desired greater freedom.
II still another man was no longer
satisfied with, his position or station
inka :basiHSsst way OF. socially, here
he found opportunities to buy for
reasonable rates good property, here
he could more easily earn money,
here he could enjoy, the opportuni-
ties Of of free education. Here In
America he was no longer q subject,
/. hore he was q citizen.
Thus We all emigrated to Aweri-
ca, not to find conditions worse, but
better. Thus we all became Ameri-
can citizens, thus we gladly promised
sL0FAfsTFsT0 THIS COUNTRY and
Its government and we accepted thus
at our own request the existing laws
Of the land. In doing so we were
granted all the privileges and protec-
tion Of this country-and we we're
satisfied" - - ~, "a!
Continuing his line Of argument,
the speaker said that inasmuch as
citizens of German descent secured
all that they desired. speaking in
general terms, they. owe all to the
United States. He then took up the
consequences. to this class of Ameri-
cans, of the declaration of war be-
tween this country and Germany. He
stated that it caused individual un-
easiness, an unsettled individual po-
sition, q suspicious and ,rebellious at
titude on the part OF, some so-called
German-Aher3canss and q supersen-
sitiveness i that made much OF many
incidents that were Of themselves Of
little Importance. ~, 53%. @ Il
The causes Of the war were not at
hrst fully comprehended by people
Of German blood-nor, indeed, by
many others-and were misinterp-i
reted BY the German papers and in;
many cases were distorted to appear
as something other than what they,
really were. Gradually, however, the.
consistent German propaganda has
opened the eyes of the. people-the,
German speaking people among the
rest. ;5, Is. S.; a.s .s5.5,
Now the reaction Is taking place.
Instead of an attitude Of despair and
sullenness, people OF German des-
cent are finding themselves as Amer
leans, are supporting the ideals Of
democracy and humanity which in,
clude charity. toward all and malice
toyardss none-,a world brotherhood
and world democracy in the fine1
sense Of the word.
ze '.As loyal citizens we are ready to
support the government financially
and otherwise, gladly giving up Of
the harvest which we have reaped in
this country, to which we 0weN so
much and which we have made our
country 81. l.,52s Il i # 1; S
Loyalty Resolutions.
The following resolutions we're re-
commended by the committee Of
which George Lutz was chairman,
and were adopted by the convention:
WHEREAS, we remember and
point with pride to the loyalty Of the
American citizens Of German birth
and descent In every, emergency and
crisis, which In the past has con-
fronted the American people as ma
tion and notably 80 during the Civil
War. and s sgs4 81 III 81; l
WHEREAS, the Government Of
the United States has recognized q
state Of war In the name Of liberty
and humanity, n IS q, n
THEREFORE,, be Is resolved, first,
that we condemn the un-American
attitude Of any and all persons who
have allowed hysteria to take the
place OF comreon sense and reason.
Be II further resolved, that we
strongly condemn every unpatriotic
action and utteranc by whonsoever
made, and % FL vs. ss SSs
Be, It still further resolved that
We pledge our heart and hand ID per-
feet lOyalty to the president and fol
the Eovefnuent and declare our
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