The biography of Grant holds many exciting incidents. One of them
concerns a spy who nearly wrecked Grant's plans. It seems that a rumour
came saying that Sheridan had been defeated at Winchester. A telegram
came a few minutes later saying that Sheridan was recovering from the
disaster. Meanwhile, Grant noticed one of his young assistants was
endeavouring in vain to conceal his pleasure over the news of Sheridan's
defeat. That feeling seemed inexplicable to Grant. The Commander-in-Chief
had three armies--Sherman's in the South, Sheridan's in the Valley of
the Shenandoah, and his own army of the Potomac. How could a young aide
rejoice over Sheridan's defeat without down in his heart wanting Grant
defeated, the Union destroyed, and secession made a success? Grant
became more and more alarmed. He told one of his associates to follow
this youth, whom he feared was a spy. Shortly afterwards the man was
discovered sending signals, was tried, the proofs of his treason
uncovered, and finally he was executed.
To-day certain German-Americans never tire of announcing their
Americanism. Their favourite expression is: "Germany was the Fatherland,
but the United States is the wife." Not daring, therefore, to attack our
Government, afraid to confess that they want Germany to succeed, and
when that time comes expect to hold certain offices under Germany, they
spend all their time vilifying Great Britain. There is one absolute and
invariable test of the German-American's treason to this country, and
that is bitterness towards England, because England is doing all she can
to prevent Germany's victory. One thing has saved this country during
four years, giving us a chance to prepare--Great Britain's fleet,
holding Germany's battle-ships behind the Kiel Canal. To-day our
Republic is defended by three armies--General Pershing's, Marshal Foch's
and Marshal Haig's. But whenever a German-American vilifies Haig and
attacks England you may know that down in his heart he wants Pershing
defeated, the United States conquered, and Germany made victorious. The
German-American who vilifies Great Britain is angry because Great
Britain has prevented Germany from loading a million German veterans
upon her six or eight thousand passenger ships, freight ships, sailing
vessels and war fleet, and sailing to New York and assessing fifty
billion dollars indemnity upon us.
In a certain Western State a German professor of electricity resigned
from his institution. He was receiving about $3,000 a year. Many months
passed by. One day this man was heard defaming England. "England has
destroyed the freedom of the seas. England controls Gibraltar and the
Suez Canal. England is the great land pirate. England is the world
butcher." A Secret Service man followed the German professor, and found
that he was working as fireman at the wireless station of that great
city. This German professor of electricity had resigned a $3,000 a year
position to work for $75 a month as fireman. As soon as he found that
the United States Government was upon his track he fled to Mexico. This
spy's camouflage was love for the United States, but his treason was
revealed through his hatred of England. That man should have been
arrested at dark, tried at midnight, and shot at daybreak.
There is a newspaper reporter in this country. This German-American was
caught by a trick. Another reporter faked a story, writing out on his
typewriter an account of several German submarines getting into the
harbour of Liverpool and blowing up half a dozen English steamers and
killing several thousand Englishmen, and this German-American reporter
lifted his hands into the air in glee, and in the presence of half a
dozen fellow reporters shouted: "I knew it! I knew it! I knew the
Germans would smash Hades out of them!" In that moment he revealed his
real attitude towards the United States. Any man that wants Admiral
Beatty defeated wants the American transports sunk and American soldiers
murdered. That reporter should also have been arrested at dark, tried at
midnight, and shot at daybreak.
In another city there is a young Irish writer. He fulfills all the
proverbs about the crazy Irishman. In connection with the Sinn Fein
conspiracy this young writer proposed a toast to the memory of Sir Roger
Casement, the success of the revolution, and poured forth such
bitterness upon England as cannot be described by those who hate
ingratitude towards a country that has given us a chance to prepare.
Wherever that man goes he carries hate with him towards Great Britain.
His atmosphere is malign; his presence breathes treason towards England.
That is another man who should have been arrested at dark, tried at
midnight, and shot at daybreak. No man can serve God and Mammon. No man
can be faithful to the United States who hates England and loves
Germany. He must love the one and hate the other; he must hold to the
one and despise the crimes of the other. No man can serve God and the
Allies, Germany and the devil, at one and the same time.