Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-06-06
TRUs. AslERICANIsM

Fellow CITIZENSHIP the name of
common sense and true Christian,
American spirit, l earnestly and sin
cerely appeal to all loyal American
citizens Of this community, native
born or foreign born 1t matters none.
But the time has come when We can
not afford to be divided. but when
we must become united cOmmun-
ity. state and nation. But at pres
ent l for one cannot help to see. l
am sorry to say, that there has been
a very grim and selfish feeling
stirred up in this community, caused
by the issuing of the Governors
proclamation forbidding the use Of
any foreign language. There has al
ready been considerable said and
written about the same, and I, for
one, cannot approve of the prOcla-
nation. as l consider It has in no
way helped to inspire anyone in this
community to be more loyal or pat
l am afraid ii has had the opposite
effect. And I am certain that any
true American will agree with me
that whenever the community and
state have gone over the top in every
patriotic movement, it is a good time
to leave well enough alone. and not
try to invite suspicion or divide. our
loyalty And I am very sorry that
it had to come at this time, when
everyone was working in harmony
and good understanding, and / am
sure that no living man can settle
this question over night, as 1t is a
vital question of great national i'm
portance, but at the same time it is
solving itself very rapidly, through
the influence of our great American
institution and melting pot, the pub
lie school; and l for one insist, and
always have, that every child, rich
or poor. regardless of nationality or
religion, should attend our public
school, But whether the Governor
was right or not in issuing his proc
lamation at this critical time, We will
leave for the ones higher up to de-
eide, and in the meantime we as 10y
al, law-abiding citizens, are going to
abide by same, and let it take its
own course But fellow citizens, let
us not lose sight of the big issue for
which we are fighting. and which, is
being brought nearer to home every
hour, and let me suggest right here
that true Americanism is something
greater than just expression of
words, II Is like true Christianity, 1t
matters not in which language it is
expressed, because il it comes from
a true. loyal heart and soul 1t will
stand the test, and ! am deadly in
earnest when I say that no one has
a right to suspicion or doubt 1t. /
also say that no citizen or true
American has any right to even ex-
press himself or to think less of the
boy who is over there whether his
parents be native born naturaliZed
citizens. because 1t is all the same
each one of them is making the same
sacrifice, and fighting and dying for
the same great cause, and do not let
us think less of all the many foreign
ers who are there fighting shoulder
to shoulder with our boys. all united
and fighting for humanity. Let ev-
cry one at home stand back Of and
less of nationality, because II we do
not we are not worthy Of being citi-
zens OF this great republic. can
not unerstand how some fathers,
whom have heard express them
odlVtS, Cdu tuiuk icSS VI tuo OtucI
fellows boy. who may be saving the
life of HIS own boy. II there is any
one who ought to be united 1t Is the
parents of such boys and they ought
to live In full understanding and
harmony. I say 1t again. and I call
upon everyone In the community.
native horn or naturalized citizens,
to lay asdde selfishness, hate, 1eal-
ousy. political and religious differ
ences, as this is no time for such :
and let ne all be united, loyal. true,
big-hearted and broad-minded Amer
lean citizens. A true patriot in this
crisis Is he who not only helps his
country to win battles abroad, but
who also helps his country to pre-
serve Qrdar at home. And realizing
that al unhealthy condition exists In
this community. urge everyone To
be . patriet.
~ Karl Rasmussen.