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Loyalist Association

 

In 1918, with the casualty lists now containing the names of North Dakota soldiers, any anti-war sentiment was not to be tolerated. The Fargo Forum had warned back in November of 1917, that news of wounds and death would stifle dissent in homes across the state.  Tensions ran high, and North Dakota residents of German birth had to be extremely cautious of the slightest word or deed that might imply loyalty to Kaiser Wilhelm’s Germany. According to Judge John Knauf from Jamestown, people who shared his heritage of German birth or ancestry were eyed suspiciously. It didn’t help that many still spoke German.  

 

At his request, residents of German heritage gathered in Jamestown this week in 1918, to pledge their support for the war effort and to manifest their patriotism.  Meeting at the Jamestown Armory, they represented every county in the state and almost every occupation, including professional men, farmers, laborers, and businessmen.  The delegates soon developed a constitution and set up committees to establish resolutions and bylaws. The organization became known as the Loyalist Association. They hoped to diminish any doubts of their loyalty.  The objectives were chiefly to support the government issues of bonds and certificates, and aid the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A., the Knights of Columbus, and to participate in pro-war efforts.

Camil Kramer of LaMoure County spoke at the convention. He came to North Dakota in 1882.  He stated that people of German heritage have given money, their sons, their blood, for their country – the United States of America.  He noted, "Kaiser Wilhelm himself, has said there are no German-Americans, either they are Germans, or else they are Americans.” Kramer then stated, “Let us all be Americans!"  But he cautioned, “I do hope that you don't lose your respect for the German people in this country."

Within a month, members of the association had journeyed to most of the predominantly German areas of the state. Providing patriotic literature in German, and speaking in German and English, they told what was truly happening in order to counteract the pro-Kaiser rhetoric of the German newspapers.  Condemning any anti-patriotic activities, the Loyalist Association was able quell the tension and create pro-war unity among the state’s German communities.

 

Dakota Datebook written by Dr. Steve Hoffbeck, MSU Moorhead History Department

Jamestown Weekly Alert, March 21, 1918

Ibid, April 11, 1918

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