The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-09-09
NO. "A.
The Turner'S.


Occasionally, bodies of men, uniformly
clad IN linen attire, parade our streets. whose
designation OF Turner'S" conveys but lit
tie information to the puzzled spectator
AN article In the New York Tribune gives
the following information respecting them
Ihe first that was heard of the Turner's
tby the general public of this country, was
IN connection with the lamentable riot at
Hoboken In May, 1851, when these peaceful
Germans were beset by gang of bullies,
ana bloody fight ensued, in which the
turner's were not onl y the victors, but had
tne sympathy OF the entire community
Since then they have gone on, increasing in
numbers, and extending their branches
wherever young men of German origin could
be found to form a nucleus: and now I'VE
see that the Fourth General Festival of the
Turner's is to be commenced at Philadelohia
IN the course of the present week. On this
occasion, it is expected that about five
thousand men, belonging to some eighty
Unions, will take part in the gymnastic
performances, as well as in the social pleas
ures OF the anniversary.
"The modern system of physical disci-
pllne, taught quite generally in Europe. and
introduced in a few schools and gymnastic
establishments of our large towns. is, we
believe, of German origin, though the idea
is borrowed from the ancients. The aim is
by scientific culture, to develope the muscu-
lar powers into the fullest health, endurance.
and symmetry. AS long ago as the time
OF the American revolution, Basedow.
true -philanthropist of Germany, not only
urged the establishment of system of edu-
cation for the body, which should keep pace
with the training of the mental faculties,
but actually carried into practice, and set up
an institution of the sort Nearly thirty
years later, the famous jain employed the
scheme Tor patriotic purposes, and Turner'S
Unions, IN which gymnastics and hatred to
the foreign oppressor were inculcated with
equal ethclency, sprang up over all Germa-
ny. 1t is admitted that the excellence of the
soldiers, and their success in the German
war OF independence, were in great meas
ure due to the lessons received by the Young
Igymnasts in these establishments. After the
war, the government first favored these use
ful and patriotic institutions; but it was
soon discovered that the spirit which
had been raised against an alien tyrant
would closely scrutinize the acts of a
domestic one. Hence the Turner's became
suspected, and soon after were suppressed
Of late years, however, their exercises and
meetings have been revived again in Germa-
ny, and, since l948,, they have been trans
ported to this country.
The name, Turner's, comes from the
word to turn, which has essentially the sa me
Specification in English as in German, and
may be applied to gymnastics in the one
with about as much propriety as in the 9th
er They are organized in Societies OF
Unions, without Limitation as to numbers,
meeting for exercise at regular times, and as
now at Philadelphia, coming together once
a year for public trial and competition witt.
all the Unions of the country. Persons of
every nationality are admitted to become
members; though as German is the language
principally spoken, we believe there are few
who are not of German origin. The exer-
cises comprise the entire round of acrobatic
teats and displays of strength and agility
Each Union has its meetings for practice in
the open air when possible, and emulation
and the stimulus of common effort by num-
bers soon produce admirable results in de
veloPing muscular force and dexterity in the
members"