Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

In a Spokane speech, Dr. C.J.  Hexamer, president of the German-American Alliance, listed the many virtues of Germany and noted that America’s national fiber had been strengthened by the industry, thrift and educational achievements of German immigrants. 

The Spokesman-Review’s editorial writer agreed with those sentiments – to a point. The writer was alarmed and appalled by “that portion of his speech which was calculated to inflame the minds of citizens of German birth and parentage against the government of the United States.” The speech “abounded in bitter attacks upon the government in Washington and unstinted approval of the government of Berlin.”

 The editorial quoted Hexamer as saying, “I blush for my country. Impartial historians will write the history of nations and they will all stand for something great. We will stand as the arch hypocrite among nations. For six days a week we work a double shift making munitions for the allies, and on the seventh day we pray for peace, even working a swindle on our eternal God.”

The editorial said that this “verged on sedition.”

In fact, the writer found the banner under which Hexamer spoke to be disturbing: “With God for King and Fatherland.”