for those priceless gifts. ' freedom of speech interfered with,
and at the same time it • But though we understand, and thoroughly sympathise would practically be impossible for the German Government with, the determination of the German-American to prove in himself a worthy citizen of the United States, while at the have described. same time not giving up his pride in, and love for, his That it is the duty of German-Americans to do their best German origin and for the German race—a race which has to exercise an influence in the direction of political emancipa- endured and. survived many autocracies—we cannot but, tion in their old home we cannot doubt. But if we may be wonder that the reflex action of German opinion ,in the allowed to say so, it is on no selfish grounds, or because we United States has not been greater on . Germany and on think that such a liberalisation of Germany would •make the German political system. One would haye. thought her a less formidable rival to' Britain, that we write that the Germans in America, secure in their .liberty, as we have written. On the contrary, • we -hold most in their exercise of equal civil rights, and in their freedom strongly that purely selfish considerations would keep us of speech,- would have been able to exercise a strong from speaking a word which might tend to the liberalise- influence on German affairs. How is it, for example, that tion of Germany.' If the German political system remains the Germans in America have not been able to convince the' TOPICS OF THE DAY. Germans at home that it is quite possible to Maintain the dignity and honour of the State without recourse to perse- cutions for le:se-majeste, and that freedom of speech and THE GERMAN-AMERICANS. freedom of the Press are perfectly consistent with a, to prevent the entry to Germany of the influence we what it is,a. Monarchical autocracy—we have little or . nething to fear from Germany in the -way of commerce Or Empire. Nopolitical system of the kind she now possesses can .possibly serve as a foundation for world-wide trade er-for :colonial expansion. . On the -other hand, if the German State were once inspired by the, life-giving breath nrpolitical liberty, it would be impossible: .te place.. limits ta:: the development of a people So numerous, So well inatructed, so ingenious, and so hard-working.: If, then; We thought only of our own country, we should wish Germany to be governed and organised for ever exactly on. her present lines. But those who believe that there is saah a thing.as right and wrong in the affairs Of nations, as.Of individuals, dare not grudge Germany political health even if.it makes her a more powerful rival to Britain. It is 'good for mankind as a whole that Germany should pos- sess a free and liberal State, and therefore we sincerely trust that the Germans in America may come to see that it is their duty to do what they can to rekindle the half- extinguished embers of Liberalism, and help to convince the manhood of Germany that it is degraded, until, though rer taming its Monarchical forms, it has made the individual in the Fatherland as free and as independent as he is in Britain Or the United States..
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