The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-29
THE GERMAN TURNER'S FESTIVAL.

The ninth annual festival of the United German
Turner's commenced in this city on Saturday after
ternoon, and will continue during greater portion
of the present week. The association is composed
of representatives from the different Turner Socie-
ties throughout the country, and the attendance
heretofore at these celebrations has been very
eral. The Turner Association of Baltimore is COM
posed of about 800 members exclusive of $50 schol
ars under the age of eighteen. M. Bartel is the
President; Philip Seller lst instructor of the Turn
ers, and M. Schubert, I'd instructor. Their head
quarters and schoo&of practice in gymnastics and
other exercises is Turner Hall, No. 800 West Pratt
street, which is under the management of Captain
Odenwald Here they nightly assemble, and go
through with various athletic exercises in a style
which would do discredit to professional athletes
The various Turner Associations througho ut
the country are under the direction of
Congress which assemblies yearly. the last hav-
ing been held sometime since in Cincinnati. At
this Congress, which is composed of a limited num-
Der of delegates from the different associations is
hxed programme of business for the year. The
Baltimore Association reported at the last meeting
ESQ members. When association is admitted to
the Congress, it is pledged to take weekly German
paper for each member reported. Accordingly $50
copies of the Wecker left weekly at Turner
Hall. The Congress having designated Baltimore
as the place for the holding of the present festival
the comm lttee of arrangements made the necessary
preparations to make it equal to any that has pre-
ceded it, all the gymnastic and musical associations
German and American, being invited to take part
in the proceedings.
Saturday being the day fixed for the reception of
delegates, the German population seemed to sus-
pend all labor for the time and prepare for the well
come. American flags were suspended from all the
German headquarters in the city. The DELEGATIONS
from Cincinnati, Wheeling and Parkersburg came
as far as the Relay House, on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, where they awaited the arrival of
the delegations from Washington, Alexandria and
Georgetown. At O'Clock the train arrived with
the Turner's, and was met at the Camden Station
by Captain Schneider and Captain Schmidt's bands
who were accompanied from Turner Hall to the
Station by the Committee of Arrangements. The
reception here was a most enthusiastic one, the
bands playing popular German air The guests
then proceeded to the Hall, where another cordial
greeting awaited them. The building was deco
rated in a beautiful manner, and wreaths were
hung around the hall and outside of the building,
presenting a beautiful appearance Attached to
the American flag, which suspended across
the street, was the German inscription:
"Willkomen ihr Bruder Won Ost und West,
Gut He'll zum schooner B Bundes Fest.n
The delegates were then allowed some time for
rest preparatory to their formal reception in Monu
ment square.
At half past seven o'clock the Turner's formed in
procession with torches and banners, accompanied
by Schreiber's and Schmdt's brass bands. They
passed down Pratt street to Hanover, up Hanover
to Baltimore and down Baltimore to Calvert, where
they entered Monument square. An immense as
sembly, principally Germans, had gathered in the
square and the streets leading thereto On gaining
the centre ofthe square song of welcome
sung by the Turner's, the words of which were
written expressl for the occasion by Mr. }. Strau-
benmuer, and the music composed by Professor
Charles Lenchow. After the song an address, well
coming the brother Turner's was delivered by
NJ. Bartel, in German, which was enthusiastically
received by the vast audience. At the conclusion
OF Mr.. Bartels address, there was a handsome
display of rockets. The procession again formed
and proceeded down Fayette street to Frederick,
and down Frederick to Baltimore. The lager beer
saloon of Mr.. Hoffman on Frederick street, was
elegantly Illuminated, and several transparencies,
bearing notices in German, were arranged in front
OF the building. During the passage of the pro-
cesslon, rockets sent up from the roof of the
house, while cheers were given by those in the pro-
cession and responded to by the citizens the side
walks. The Wecker newspaper office was also illu-
minated. The procession proceeded up Baltimore
street to Eutaw, down Eutaw to Pratt, and
thence to Turner Hall. A handsome supper was
waiting their arrival, to which the Turner's and a
number of citizens did Justice After supper sever
al speeches were made; among Others there was
one delivered by lady, Miss Gerhardt, of Wash
lngton city. She spoke in German luently, and, we
would judge, eloquently, from the manner in which
her remarks were received. large number of
the visiting Turner's then repaired to the gymnasium
and exercised for hour, exhibiting great skill in
the different athletic performances. After this they
returned to the Hail. where they remained until
late hour, enjoying their reunion. Every apart
ment of the large building was crowded by Ger
The festivities of the night passed off without any
occurrence tO m the nea M tho