The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-10-03

taxing lively interest in it, and the exhibi
ton will doubtless be free and succesafol
one. 1t is characteristic of our Van Burer
county friends to have good fairs. Hope
that Lee will be well represented there.
IHE GERMAN FEsTIvAL.-The Turner's had
delightful day for their Festival yesterday
and they improved it admirably. A process.
aon more numerous and imposing than
any Of the kind We have ever before observed
In keokuk, passed through the streets in the
early part ofthe day, on footand in vehicles .c.
companied by band which "discoursed most
excellent music, y aud inspired life and BUOY
ancy In the movements of the procession.
The most peculiar and attractive feature oi
TINS procession, was wagon with q platform
OF ample dimensions, crowded with scores Of
laughing, rosy checked girls, dressed in white.
towards evening curiosity impelIed us in
the pursuit OF our vocation to visit the rem.
devious OF the procession at Otley's grove.
Our German friends were gathered there in
strong force. 1t is seldom that so pleasan, /.
sght Is seen, or so happy and buoyant a com.
pany at the close Of an entire day devoted to
pleasure. The crowd-men, women and
enildren-were all alike, still enjoying the day
happily, tremendously, joyfully, with nothing
apparently to mar the universal peace and
good order which had prevailed throughout
the entire day.
lhis old time national custom, the social
festival Of the Germans, exhibits the German
character in a very favorable light, and We
oeheve, Is without parallel in any of the
nahonalities, which have found home in onr
And. 1t is an out-growth of the peculiarly Of
herman character. 1t is social, home like
German, full of appreciative quiet, and not
ut oil demonstrative or extravagant. eniov.
ment. 1t is family party, or party of fam
lies, for the Germans seek their pleasure
even in their most demonst -ative entertain.
ments, accompanied by their wives and chill.
dsen' And as people they are affectionate
In their family relations and with their kith
anu kin. and attached to the old custo,os of
their fathers more than most people. Home.
hearth'stone, fatherland, are household words
enshrined in their deepest affections. AAAd
In these festivals of theirs, they find play ksy
the sentiment that clusters around these ideas
and inheres in their very being.
The characteristics which distinguish the
German people of our day and country were
marked and noted in the earliest historical 40.
counts OF the race in the forests of Germany.
AND out OF these characteristics spring the
outspoken honesty, the unaagging industry,
the steady and unainching heroism, and the
enthusiastic and undying love of liberty
which have rendered the Germans ;nva,,.hl.
to their adopted country in peace and in var
For all these traits We appreciate, admire and
honor the German character, and re even
sympathize with that exuberant developmert
OF the idea of liberty which chafes under the
restraint OF individual freedom, often arb;tr..
MY imposed BY society. And We look for.
ward hopefully to- better day of universe,
liberty secured, rather than fettered bv low
to spring from the collision of social mort,
tions, and customs and ideas which !. 70.
fashioning our country, and in which the
Germans will bear ss distinguished a mart il
peace - they have done in war. For thu,
good time coming, let US all patiently lsho,
and hopefully wait.
IT is satisfactory n us IN no ali. =.