Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1890 — HONORS TO GERMANIA. [ARTICLE]

HONORS TO GERMANIA.

CF.RM AN-AMERICAN DAY IN MILWAUKEE. Thouianil* of Man Parade —Tl»e Star* and strip** in tile Procession—Gov. Hoard, of Wlsoonsim Deliver* an Address Great Day for German-Aineriraus. fMilwaukee dispatch.] Everywhere conspicuous in the German Day parade to-day was the American flag. The historical and industrial display in the parade was the grandest ever seen in Milwaukee, representing as It did the work of many months of preparation and the expenditure of thousands of dollars. The schools were closed all day and business generally was suspended this afternoon. There were 5,000 men in line. The procession was an hour in passing the Plankinton House, where it was reviewed by Gov. Hoard and a number of prominent gentlemen. Following flie parade, a Mfimian festival was celebrated at National Park, where Gov. Hoard, Mayor Peck, and other gentlemen delivered addresses. The first speaker was Pawl Beehtner, the President of the day. After reviewing the achievements of the Germans in America, both in peace and war, from the settlement of Germantown to tho present time, the speakor said:

Thousands have cemented the tie which btnda «* to till* laud with thilr Uvea’ blood, and for thl* aleue could the Oerumn-American point with right and nride to hi* citizenship. lint the Gemmn-Ainerioan ha* ta en an active part in the historical, social, and industrial development of ihi*. hi* beloved country, aud it 1* for that that we this day celebrate. Wo re.oice that the pa r t taken by Qerman-Amprfcans baa been »o great. Truly ha* it I men said by our great fellow-citiron, Carl HcHtrrz, that the portion of the Uermau-American who ha* left hi* native laud to seek a home in tlila our glNriou* land of liberty is like the youth who leit, tho mother to seek a bride. I* he le*»* worthy of the bride Imcaußu ho still loves tho mother, or would he lie worthy of the bride if ho did not retain his love for Vhe mother '/ TruJv we have every reason ami right to comnleinorato this day of tho first landing of those of ohr race upon these shores, as a day iu commemoration or the part taken by us in the development of this uuuntry. as a’ day of rejoicing that that part is so great. Mayor Peck followed Mr. Beehtner, and said It appeared to luim as a high honor that on the occasion of the first celebration of the (jorman-American Day in Milwaukee lie should bo Mayor of this great city. In concluding lie-said: As the beautiful summer groom of our foroits Is gradually, Bllently, imperceptibly being merged Into iho golden yellow of au Lunin, so all over broad Wisconsin the peoples of the various countries of Europe who have settled among Its are gradually but. surely anil peacefully as the days aud years pass by. becoming merged Into one great, grand nationality, nobler end better than any of them could ever lie singly. lam sure that tho day is not far distant when wo shall be a homogeneous pinole—great, tiitolU€ool, eduoated and free—marching In tho van of tie nations of the earth. After fourteen bands had united iu playing tho “Star-Spangled Banner” Gov. Hoard was introduced and he was received with eliecrs. The Governor said: Fellow citizens, it is eminently moot anil proper for a peoplo whose name and antecedents have i*een so closely identified with American history as have those of tho German iwonle to commemorate that Identity with imposing ceromouiei, as you are doing to-day. I congratulate vou above all things, on the fact that you do this not ns Germans alone hut as Gurmau-Americans. It ,|s your identity with American history and the triiiniphsi of Gorman genius and valor In bobalf of American destiny that give to this hour and occasion such Impressive significance.. It Is what we are to be, not what we have been, that widens the! pathway of true rtmowu. The German Immigrant meets with no prejuilloe or discrimination In law or sentiment. He is iuvittd to the table of American bin-sings and told to help himself. All that is asked of him is that lie should become an American citizen in tho same broad, liberal sense he has been welcomed. He finds hero a nation which has for its foundation u grand system of free Schools, from which emanates a free aud enlightened exercise of religious worship, a free exercise of tho ballot, and, finally, Ihe creation of fr.*e men. These are what are rolled American institutions. All that is usked of any man is that he shall take bold with the rest anil help sustain those institutions so that they may afford other men, in the future, that same protection and development they have afforded him. To tho credit of the Gorman people be it, said, they have nobly responded to this demand. The great and constant necessity of republican society is the making of honest and intelligent citizens. This is a republic. That moans that it is a partnership; Government. Every partner should know something- cf the history and lost of the concern, anil what it means to bo a partner in it. One of the first things to be learned in American citizenship i» to think and accept for yourself, let i o man dictate to you how you shall vpto. It.ought to be the proud boast of every man, “I am my own master, and hence au American. The next thing to he learned anil acquired is courage In civil affairs. The American ciciz n must be a man of courage in Iho exorcise of bin convictions. Wo must learn to cull 1 vote truo independence of character. 1 It is said that “God and a woman hate a cowivrd/’ aud It Is. well toremember that the. Goddess of Liberty, is represented as a wom'an. Here we-.iriust learn political and social tolerations We ace a nation of mixed races, and we must (Strlve to live in jieaco and harmony with each other. Vteare all stones ip the iroat temple of Mborty. Wo must grow broad-minded and broad-hi arted toward each other. Political or cgligioua intolerance should have no. place iu the true American heart. If I, ari a man of one political and religions faith, cannot moot any wi ight of opposing ideas on the tamo plane of common sympathy for a common country, I have not yet learned to bo an. American citizen. , One of the greatest hindrances to the growth aim expansion of American civilization is the spirit of political intolerance. It in. the curse of the Houthern States and of many Northern communities. Wherever found it ill the outgrowth of ignorance and superstition. Hhow me any community where tho people are religiously or politically Intolerant and I will show you one where the school-house does not flourish. lam proud of the patriotic demonstration you have mode to-day a* GeruiauAmerlcans. In common with oil other citizens you have no other hope but an American hope ; no other destiny than au American destiny. Let us draw increased devotion anil patriotism from those whose achievements on American soil have addod luster aud renown to the wellhonored name of German-Aiuericau.