You and I are Germans by birth, but we are all American citizens from choice, and as such we are now called upon to aid either in sustaining or overthrowing the
Government of our adoption.
Let the enemies of the country disguise and falsify facts as they may, there is but really one question submitted to the brave and free people of
Kentucky, and that is this: Shall we any longer have a free Government or not?
I warn you, my German brethren and fellow-citizens of
Kentucky, not to be deceived by those who are trying to overthrow the
Government, and reduce you and me to bondage again.
We all left our fatherland because we desire to rid our necks of the heel of the tyrant that trampled upon our rights.
We have learned to hate tyrants — the proud spirit of our race will never submit to the yoke of bondage which
Jeff. Davis and his followers are striving to fasten upon us.
My countrymen, beware of all the tricks and treachery of Disunionists, for they are traitors to their Government.
They will approach you pretending to be your best friends, and under the sacred guise of friendship seek to seduce you from your allegiance and your duty.
Tell the rebel who may thus approach you that you have left the sacred graves of your ancestors and the homes of your fathers to enjoy the blessings of this free Government — that you have crossed the ocean to enjoy its benefits; and tell him also that you have taken a solemn oath to support in good faith its Constitution and laws, and that you intend to make good your obligations and your oath; and should he still ask you to violate your oath, and assist him in destroying the
Government which you have sworn to support, reply to the insult as becomes your patriotism and your unquestioned manhood.
In all your deportment show yourselves worthy of the freedom which this glorious country has hitherto bestowed upon you, which you can only do by yielding to it your earnest and unreserved support — follow its fortunes and its flag wherever they go, and proudly share their fate.
Having once tasted of the sweets of liberty, let us surrender it only with our lives.
If this Government is destroyed, liberty will be again banished from the face of the earth.
The Southern States will soon become so many little monarchies and despotisms, continually at war with each other, subduing and subdued in turn, until they become a hiss and a by-word among the nations of the earth.
They will be far less desirable for us than the oppressed lands from which we have all fled.
The plain duty of the United States Government is to protect us, to guard our rights as its adopted citizens wherever and by whomsoever they may be invaded, and this duty has been performed to the letter.
No adopted citizen ever claimed the protection of this Government upon any land or sea where its flag waved, where his rights were not immediately guaranteed and his wrongs redressed.
In return for all this our plain duty is to support the
Government that protects us in good faith — to stand by it in this hour of peril, and sustain it, if need be, with our fortunes and our lives.
Then stand firmly by the
Union which you have sworn to support — vote for the
Union men and Union measures alone — respect and obey the laws of your adopted State and nation, and labor unceasingly for their peace and prosperity.
Again, I say, take an immovable stand for the
Union, which is alone able to protect you
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from the despotism with which we are all threatened.
Very respectfully,
