Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/823

 SOCIAL ASSIMILATION 809

which closed the Austro-Prussian war. It had been ceded to Austria at the end of the war of Austria and Prussia against Denmark in 1864. Yet there was a clause in this same treaty which declared that if the inhabitants of the northern part of Schleswig should express by free vote their desire to be reunited to Denmark, their wish would be granted. In spite of a largely signed petition, however, Prussia, in accordance with her code of national ethics, refused to live up to her agreement, justify- ing her action by stating that the promise had been given, not to the people of Schleswig, but to Austria, who did not require its fulfillment. Yet the Danes of Schleswig acquiesced readily in the unjust demands of Germany, and submitted gracefully to their fate. A group of politicians and writers was formed among them to take upon themselves the task of creating sentiment for Germany. What race-antipathy there was soon died out in con- sequence, and the work of adjustment and assimilation was successfully begun. But the recent action of the German gov- ernment by its coercive and prohibitive measures has stopped progress in this direction. All teaching in the school, with the exception of two hours' a week religious instruction, must now be carried on in German. Even private instruction in Danish is forbidden. An orator could not give a lecture in South Jutland in Danish, even if the theme were Goethe himself. Danish plays are not allowed on the stage, nor Danish songs in the con- cert hall. Even Danish colors on a lady's dress are not toler- ated. If a Danish parent sympathizes too much with the cause of his fellow-countrymen, his child is forthwith taken in hand by the state and sent to German schools, where, in addition to the German language, he learns German ideals and hero-worship, for in the Volksschule emphasis is laid on the teaching of national history through biography. Though Danish sentiment grows stronger and resistance more determined as persecution increases, the German government still persists in its foolish course. The culture of the two nations is so similar that assimilation would be easy if the proper method were adopted. If the German government were to treat the Danes as the equals of the Ger- mans, and show respect for their civilization and consideration