Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1918-08-22

We are fighting Germany for the
right TO live our own lives as we see
1T We are fighting for our laws, our
Ideals, our homes, our institutions.
''But, how" one may ask, ''were all
these things threatened by Germany
before the war started2 1t is easy to
see how they may be threatened now,
for If we are defeated we are lost, but
before the war started did Germany
menace those things we hold most sa-
cred1"
Let the Germans themselves answer
After you have read the evidence out
OF their own mouths, you may decide
whether or not Germany planned to up
set our institutions, our ideals, our very
mode of life.
In 1901 the National German-Ameri-
can alliance was formed in the United
States. In 1907 it was incorporated
By act of congress. It's charter is
now being attacked in that same body.
One of the objects of the alliance, as
officially announced was ito check ma
tivistic encroachments." In other
words, to keep the Germans from be,
coming Americans. Another object
was ito awaken and strengthen the
sense of unity among the people of
German origin in America"
"This alliance" its preliminary
statement of aims concludes sis
pledged to bring its entire organiza,
ton to the support Of any state fed
Grafton which is engaged in the strug-
gle for amy of these objects"
1t was pledged, in other words, to
! have its members vote, not as individ-
uals, but as German controlled units,
for or against anthing of which
they did not approve.
The desire for resisting "nativistic
encroachments," was particularly alb
horrent' to American ideals, because
the effort in this country has always
been to keep politics free from racial
or religious influences. Yet here was
a body, proclaiming itself German in
origin and thought, seeking to perpetu,
ate this German feeling in the midst
Of America.
From its very start the alliance
sought &c foment discord with England.
1t always spoke of the American press
as "the Anglo-American" press, and it
carried out long and well-directed
campaign for the introduction of the
German language into the schools and |
it's use in civil life
"The National Alliance" according |
20 ~ &c nj DY1IIn ka-
fore this nation entered the war, ''is
waging war against Anglo-Saxonism,
against the fanatical enemies of per-
-sonal liberty and political freedom, il
is combating narrow-minded, benight-
ed know-nothingism, the Influence Of
the British, and the enslaving Puritan-
ism, which had its birth in England"
@The race war which we will be
compelled to go through with on Amer
lean soil will be our world war" said
the New York Stats Zeitung in fight
ing a proposal to amend the New York
constitution to make ability to speak
and write the English language a
requisite for suffrage.
Ludwig Fulda wrote a book, "Amer-
lean Impressions" They were ims
pressions of German who had stud
led this nation with a view to seeing
it ultimately Germanized. German
ization is synonymous with causing to
speak German" he said, land speak
Ing German means to remain German"
Wherever there were signs of dis.
content, of movement which might
tend to disrupt this country, or any
other which Germany might find as O
rival, the German-Ameri- s
can alliance was sure to be on the
Job. 1t gave support to the Irish
American societies, because these soci-
tiles, before the war, were working for
he separation of Ireland from Eng q
and, matter In which Germany, at =
hat time, could have no legitimate :
interest. But Germany, even then, 8;
vas preparing for war, and was doing -
very possible thing to weaken its -
oming enemies. A dlsorganized .
ervists, would be In no position to g.
ide with her enemies, Germany fig a
red On this subject the much quoted .
'ernhardi wrote: =.
Measures must be taken at least ~
D the extent of providing that the :.
erman element is not split up In the @
Torld, but remains united In compact O.
locks, and thus FERNS, even in for 9
Ign countries, political cepters of =
ravity in our favor. The isolated ~
roups Of Germans abroad greatly ben g.
1t our trade, since by preference they o.
Dtain goods from Germany; but they =
ay also be useful to us politically, as -
e discover In America. The German
mericans have formed a political al e1r
ance with the Irish; and, thus,
lited, constitute power in the state ~
It'll which the American government 4
ust reckon" n
With the outbreak CT the war in Eu- =
pc the actions Of the German-Amer- y
IN alliance became holder. The cam y
ign for membership took on new v
yor.
Can we talk of peace with u Ger
my. that, even In times of peace, is