The Placer herald., 1856-11-15
The German Turners-Their object and
History

history.
AS the Annual Festival Of the Turner's is
to commence in this city on Saturday next,
it may be interesting to our readers to give
sketch of the history, and synopsis of the
Order, as stated and professed by its mem
bers.
The Turner's Order dates the commence
ment of its history long ago, in Germany,
but in their "Fatherland" they have been
put down by the petty tyrannies that -four
ish there, in consequence of the democracy
Of their sentiments, and the active part they
took in the struggles for the Republican in
sttutions in Germany, in the memorable
epoch of '4s and'49
The Turner's organization here is some
what similar to that of the Odd Fellows ard
Masons only their meetings and doings are
more public. In the United States and
Canada they number about $4,000, and are
governed by Vorort "a body of officers
similar to a Grand Lodge.) These officers
at present reside at Philadelphia. They are
elected at the annual Congress of all Turner
Societies, which is called the Turnerbund.
This is divided into five Districts, each Dis
trct governed by set Of officers who have
to report every three months to the Vorort.
The headquarters of these officers are respec-
lively in New York, Cincinnati, St. Louis,
Charleston and San Francisco.
The Vorort publishes weekly paper
called The Turnzestung, to which every Turn
er by virtue of membership, is a subscriber,
and which is dedicated to the transaction of
business Of the Turner's, the discussion of the
political questions of the day, general news
literary matter, DC.
A very INTEL gent member of the Order
writes us that the following are the requis-
ties of membership:
ANY man, irrespective of religious or po-
tical views or nativity, who bears good
moral character, is citizen of the United
States, or has made declaration or intention
to become one and speak the German Ian
guage can become member of the Turner
bund''-when member of one society he is
a member of all.
The objects of the society are thus set
forth:
The object Of the Turnerbund is the bod
ly and mental improvement of its members
and the propagation of Republican senti-
ments and bene, o ence. To obtain the form
er they have regular gymnastic and military
exercises, public discussions and debates, L.
brares and reading rooms-for the latter
they have funds set apart for sick and disa-
bled members, and have always manifested
a readines to support those who haye suffer.
cred for the sake of Freedom
The Turner's Of this city number about
seven hundred, and have recently, we are in,
formed, been admitting from twenty to for
ty per month. The juverniIe Turner's (those
from six TO seventeen years OF age)in this
city number one hundred and twenty, and
nearly all of them are native Americans
As soon as they attain the proper age they are
admitted as regular members. On Tuesday
and Thursday evening they have gymnastic
and military exercises at their Hall, on Wal
nut street above Allison. On Saturday even
inGs their regular meetings They have a
Library of 800 Volumes, and make month
Iy additions to 1t. They have also classes
studying English, French and German, and
English bookkeeping. Pennmanship, orna-
me tal an archi( ctura drawing, mus c and
singing, are taught. Each class has two
teachers, members of the society, who receive
pay for their labors. During the winter
months they hold on Sunday evening social
reunion with music, songs, declamations and
eeches which are usually attended by from
twelve to fifteen hundred persons, male and
female mostly members and their friends,
who bring their iam les with them.
Cincinnath Commercial.