In its last Tuesday edition the "Demokrat" published an article entitled "The Puritanization of the Germans" which contained again very vulgar flattery against the Germans. Last year, when the issue was about the closing of saloons on Sunday, the "Demokrat" said: "the sole opposition against such a desirable reform comes from the Germans.
The Germans must submit to the laws of this land when they come here, named them beer boozers, etc." Now there's another election and he pats us on the shoulder and says: "Oh you Germans are good fellows, I don't understand why one can't let you booze up with beer and go to hell. Vote for me and we'll let you have your beer; vote for the other party, which is mostly Americans, then they'll forbid you to drink; I'm indeed a temperance person, but I now believe that it's best to let each person do as he will."
That's about how the "Demokrat" article reads. We thank them politely and seriously for such praise, such friendship and such respect, but that contains a greater insult than when he swears at us. Because he wants to say: "When one praises you a little for you peaceful behavior and promises you beer, then you are politically useful." Herein lies an extremely offensive disdain for our German character.
We don't demand any deference, any benevolence or praise - just a right, not for us as a group, but for everybody. We don't allow anyone to have the right to bestow us with a special consideration, as we are all equal before the law. We want, whenever possible, to have individual freedom protected and preserved through law and not have to thank the benevolence of any group for this. If the "Demokrat" agrees to this, then he should castigate the senselessness and injustice of the prohibition laws and not speak of giving special consideration to German citizens.
Last Sunday we were in Bangor and attended the evening play put on by Mr. Wachtel. It was pretty well attended and generally satisfied most everyone. Mr. Wachtel did his best to give everyone his money's worth.
The temperance law that won in the election this spring has not yet come into effect, but the permission to serve alcohol stops at the end of the month. There's not much excitement about the law presently except for among several tavern owners. Much to the contrary the leading men await with equanimity the results of the "new something-or-other ordinance." The town supervisors are in the midst of a major dilemma, for while they would like to give tavern rights to at least one saloon owner, they encounter both friend and foe of the tavern rights, who say either to all or to none. The results will be that each one will serve up air without granting any license. Charles Schmidt, who took over the Bangor Hotel, will without a doubt establish a good reputation.
The smaller and poorer farmers complain that in spite of the extremely high prices for all produce, or perhaps because of them, that these high prices have now become a curse for them. While during autumn and winter one parted with a good bit of money, the small farmers ended up selling more produce than they could spare and now many of them need to buy wheat seed! Further, the lack of cattle fodder is pinching the farmers. The quality of last year's fodder, oats and hay, was, as all others, low and one needs significantly larger quantities. Therefore, many have long since no fodder for the cattle and now comes a late spring on top of that. No wonder that the lack of money dominates the farmers as they have so many expenses for fodder.
These circumstances are only in Bangor, which is an old settlement, for a long time without the stocks available in the newer western settlements. The cause lies in the extremely small harvest from last year that, as is now just being discovered, was significantly overestimated, for not only was the quantity less as supposed, but also chiefly the quality. Therefore the distress, if we can describe the circumstances as such, and lack of business that reign in many places. It is especially clear to everyone now that our entire prosperity, our entire transport, all our businesses depend on agriculture.