Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-15

The German Turner Festival at Boston.
The third annual festival Of the German
Turner Societies of Massachusetts and Rhode
Island began on Sunday at Boston, with q
etea m boat excursion down the harbor The
Boston, Providence, Worcester, Lawrence
and Springfield Turnyerein were represented
The Boston Journal gives the following his
tory OF the Turner organization in this coun.
try:
"The first Turner Society in America was
established in New York in 1913, and others
both North and South. At first the institution
was confined to the teaching and practice of
bodily exercise, conducive to physical deyel-
opment, but 1t soon assumed a higher scope
without neglecting its original object Schools
were established and various other means
were taken toward general improvement. The
co.equal relation of muscle and mind was
recognized, and physical development and
mental culture were alike encouraged A
newspaper devoted to the interest OF the
Turner'S was established at Cincinnati,
called the Turnzeitung. Slavery carried dis
sension into the ranks of the Turner's, as
into everything else. although the peculiar
institution could not be otherwise than IN
direct variance from the well known principles
had been arrayed en- the side Of liberty against
despotism. The Southern members refused TO
subscribe for and sustain their Cincinnati
organ, and it was at length suffered to die
When the late war broke out the Turner's of
the North were among the first TO enroll them
selves individually in defense of their adopted
cOuntTy's nag. Inere was strong German
elementin our army, and the long lists of slain
contained many unproBounceable nam.s
which attested to the patriotism and courage
OF these men. The Turner Bund was for the
time being almost entirely broken up and it's
operations entirely suspended No festivals
were held, and exercises with the musket took
the place OF the ordinary and more peaceful
gymnastic evolutions. With the approach OF
peace came resumption of the operations of
the Turnyereins, and the organization is now
in as fiOnrishlng a state as ever.
1.-THE Turner Bund OF America numbers
about one hundred and fifty societies. Its head.
quarters are in New York, and Mr.. Metzner,
OF that city. is the president. A national fes-
tival is held once every two years, and
stagsatZung' or meeting every alternate year.
These festivals are attended by delegations
from the different societies in various parts of
the country and by whole societies, and prizes
are offered for proficiency in gymnastic exer-
cises. There was festival two years since in
New York, an d another Ibis year in Baltimore.
Tie intermediate meeting was held IN St.
Louis, and that tor 1>6S will take place In this
city. The various local and district organiZa-
tions generally hold annual festivals lin pur.
suance CT which practice the present gathering
takes place The Cnsere Zeit, OF Cincinnati. is
the present orgen of the Turner'S.
GAS stated above, the headquarters of the
Iurr er- EuHd in America is at pres ent IN New
York, but they re subject to change once in
two years. The affairs of the Bund are man
aged by re torort, which is a committee OF
seven persons chosen from the city or district
where the headquarters for the time being is
located