Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-08-20
The Turner OrganizatiOn--Its
s-.e. RisfOry. s-e -ssF~

The Boston Journal gives the following
interesting history of the Turner organi-
cation in this country: d
1.-THE first Turner Society in America
was established in New York in 1S4S, and
Others were speedily formed in Boston and
elsewhere, both north and south. At first
the institution was confined to the teach
ing and practice of bodily exercises con-
dncive to physical development, but it soon
assumed higher scope without neglecting
its original object. Schools were
established, and various other means were
taken toward general advancement and
Improvement. The co-equal relation OF.
muscle and mind was recognized and
physical development and mental culture
were alike encouraged. A newspaper de-
voted to the interest of the Turner's, was
established at Cincinnati, called the Tara
settun0. But Slavery carried dissention
into the ranks of the Turner'S, as into
everything else, although the ''pecu-
liar institution" could not be otherwise
than in direct variance from the we'll
known principles of the organization,
which from the first had been arrayed
| in the side of liberty against despotism.-
| The Southren members refused to subscribe
for and maintain 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 defence of their
1 adopted country's flag. There was strong
German element in our army, and the long
lists of slain contained many unpronounce-
! able names, which attested to the patriot
ism and courage of these men. The Tur-
ner-Bund was for the time almost COM
pletely broken up, and its operations en-
tirely suspended. No festivals were held,
and exercises with the musket took the
place of the ordinary and more peaceful
gympastic evolutions. With the approach
| of q rec nj ha
ti0ns of the TurnVeriens, and the organi-
cation is now In as hourishing q state as
| ever.
/ The Turner Bund of America numbers
about one hundred and fifty societies. Its
headquarters are in New York, and Mr..
| Metzner of that city is its President. A
4 national festival is held once every two
i years, and a "tagsatzung," or meeting,
/ every alternate year., These festivals are
attended by delegations from the different
! societies in various parts of the country,
andIby whole societies, and prizes are Of
4 fered for proficiency in gymnastic eXer-
! cises. There was a festival two years since
/ in New York, and another this year in Bal
timore. The intermediate meeting was
held in St. Louis, and that for 1858 will
4 take place in this city. The various local
and district organizations generally hold
annual festivals (in pursuance of which
practice the present gathering takes place.
The Unsere Zeit, of Cincinnati, is the pres
ent organ of the Turner's. .'1't-a'1 3
AS stated above, the heanquarters of the
Z InrneE Bund in America is at present in
n new I ork, but they are subject to change
once In two years. The affairs of the Bund
are managed by the VOrort, which is g
} committee of seven persons chosen from
the city or district where the headquarters
J for the time being are located. #fj-
Sir Morton Peto is good for about half {
- cent on dollar. =, e. ~