before happened in all history. After two or at the most, three
generations, all are welded together in the American body and the
American spirit, and this without petty rules, without political
pressure. In the definite frame of this people every individual
character fits in without coercion, becomes American and yet retains its
own quality. The world has never witnessed such a spectacle but it is
witnessing it continually now. On the one side it hears and sees the
fact that every alien after a short time announces, "America is now my
Fatherland!" and on the other hand the old country still continues
undisturbed the bond between them. Yes, here is at once a national
strength and freedom which another could not copy from you very easily.

*The Spirit of America.*

But, further: Among those who have wandered to your shores are millions
of Germans--several millions! For more than two years--where shall I
begin to relate--since the days of Steuben and of Carl Schurz--but how
can I name names?--they have been all received as brothers, bringing
their best; and their best was not lost. More I cannot say.

Furthermore, what sort was the spirit which received them? Upon each
one, without and within, that spirit has imprinted its seal. Concerning
this spirit I shall speak later, but for the present I will only say, it
is the spirit of common courage and common freedom! And from this unity
I saw had developed a tremendous contribution as the work of this
nation, a contribution to agriculture, to technology, and, as we of the
German universities have known for several decades, an extraordinary
contribution to science. And this contribution has been derived from a
combination such as we in Europe cannot effect, of the good old
traditional wisdom which has been brought down out of the history of
Europe and a youthful courage, I might almost say, a childlike spirit.
These two combined, this circumspection and at the same time this
courage of youth, which I met everywhere and which has stamped itself
upon all American work, is what I have admired.

And the second was the American hospitality!

Like a warm breeze, this hospitality surrounded me and my friends.
Wherever we went we breathed the air of this friendship, indeed, it
almost took away our powers of will, so thoroughly did it anticipate
every plan and every need. Like parcels of friendship, we were sent from
place to place, always the feeling that we had all known each