The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-21

GERMAN FEST1yAL-PIC-NIC AT ELBA
PARK.-The Deutsche kranken INTER
stuetzung- -Gesselschatt, one of the oldest
societies of German citizens in this city,
gave grand picnic at Elba Park on yes
terday afternoon. The formidable, unpro-
nounceable German name of the organiza-
tion cannot be exactly translated into
English, but as near as we can arrive at the
Interpretation, it is society for the re-
lief and support of the Sick" 1t was or
ganized October !, lS4l; and in spite of
war and many other opposing obstacles to
success, it has always kept up its organi-
zation. In one month the society were
under the necessity of paying burial bene-
fits to the families of nine brethren, and as
the amount allowed to each Is large, over
one thousand dollars was thus drawn from
the treasury Of the society. As chari-
table, beneficiary order, the Deutsche
kranken Unterstuetzung-G -Gesselschaft has
always enjoyed the confidence of the better
class of the German population, and some
of our most respectable citizens are en-
rolled as its members. Joseph Mittendorf
is now president, and Philip Bergheimer
secretary of the society.
The 4. O. U. d., better known as
Druids, under the command of III. Koch,
p. A.; V. Weiss, n. A. and Rev. DR..
Kuehne, conductor and chief marshal
with Schiller Lodge, V. O. U. b., III. Reith,
+. NJ, and A. krcZmarz, .. NJ, formed q
procession atabout 2 o'clock, and marched
out Marshall street to the Park, where they
were received with all the honors of in
vited guests.
Entering the enclosure, the guests were
welcomed in neat speech by Mr.. j. Nit
tendort, after which an address in German
was delivered by Mr.. Bergheimer, the Sc
cretary. Mr.. III. Schurman then returned
thanks in behalf of the visiting societies,
expressing the most fraternsl sentiments
for the members OF the other Orders repre-
sentcd.
Rev. DR.. Kuehne, chief marshal of the
day, was loudly called for, and made the
festival speech in the German language.
We were unable to take notes of the ad-
dress, or to Judge of its substance, but q
knowledge of German was not necessary
to admire his tiuency of speech and grace
iul delivery. Frequently the orator was
rewarded by round of cheers or hearty
bursts Of laughter from his auditors.
aside regalaS, and entered with spirit into
the amusements of the day. Men, women,
and children, began to crowd through the
gates, and soon were scattered over the
grounds or seated at the tables discussing
politics or talking Of the fatherland over
trimming glasses of lager. Everybody
seemed disposed to carry out to the full
est extent the German idea a "good
time y; and if we may judge by the
hearty hn has Of the men, the beaming
smiles Of the danes, and the ringing
laughter of the damsels, everybody was
happy. Soon the band arrived, and
taking their appointed stands, the merry
sound OF Stringed instruments was heard,
and the platform was crowded with
dancers. We have never seen such pro-
miscuOus assemblage on the floor at once.
Staid old merchants, settled matrons, gay
beaux, ruddy bellies, little girls, and lively
boys, tripped through the figures of waltz
schottiSch, and polka, in true Teutonic
style, while Il throng Of spectators gazed
approvingly at the novel sight. The dane
ing was kept up until late hour of the
evening, when We retired from the gay
throng. We add with pleasure our testi-
mony to the good behavior of the picnic
party, for during our stay with them we
did not observe a single instance of intoxi
cation or disorderiy conduct, although Ia
ger flowed as We have never seen it flow
before.
Mayor Mayo honored the Germans with
his dignilicd presence, and seemed heart
lily to enjoy the scene of mirth.