The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-21


Jacob Small, President OF the society, presided
al one end of the table, and Alderman Olncy,
one of the Vice-Presidents, at the other; the
President being supported on his right by
Professor Meier, and on his left by DR.. Bach
man. Knives, forks and glasses jingled mer-
rily for awhile, until the heartest caters
leaned back in their chairs, Withdrawing from
the contest with good things successful, yet de-
feated. Then the tables were cleared of all
save the drinkables. and silence being restored.
President Small read the first regular toast:
The Day we celebratc-Inaueuratcd by charity
and good fellowship, may it be perpetual
This WAS responded to by the Vice. President
at tho foot of the table, and then tho band,
which was stationed in the centre Of the hall,
played La Marscllaise."
The President then read the second regular
toast:
The Founders OF our socieiy-May wo ever
cherish that noble feeling established by them and
may we never be recrcant in carrying out their de-
signs.
This toast was responded to by A. Fl. Dun
kin, Esq, in substance as follows:
One hundred and three years ago the Ger
man Friendly Society was organized by sons
of the Fatherland, who had made their homes
in this city Of the new world. Their bond OF
union was bro,herly love and charity. Simple
in their tastes, earnest in their mission OF
labor. exact and honest in their respective
yocations, they impressed upon the commu-
nity i'm which they lived some OF the best types
of German civilization. TLcy were thought
full practical, reticent. Their coptcence was
OF slow growth, but once besto ed rarely with
1,,fio nf
TO the pleasures OF life thoy were just by their
moderation. Tney put their hands to their
work which was before them; they looked not
behind. A century and more has rolled by:
The Colonial government the pioneers formed
has been transformed into republic, and
some OF them lived to take PRIDE IN q Stcu-
ben and DeKalb, who won the place OF hero
and martyr in the struggle for new life. After
the waving shoots thai adorned their graves
had become sturdy, venerable monarchs, then
came the agony which veiled the land IN sack
cloth and ashes
The hour of glory in new birth,
The agony IN the still.born.
Throughout all the German attributes Of
selt-r.Eance, caution, honesty have been
visible in cur midst. Be true to the memory
of the founders, and never say die.
The third regular toast was read as follows
Germanyl-Sweet land of our fathers and dear
home of our affection; though separated by the
mighty ccean our hearts still cling to thee, and we
viii ever remember thee with pleasure.
This was responded to by Professor Herman
D. Meier, whose every tone and gesture be-
spoke the true orator. animated by his theme
and giving graceful expression to his own warm
feelings. Professor Meier said:
Permit me, gentlemen, to say that nothing
opu ind r-
ares me to appropriate to myself, as the most
recent Carolinian in your midst, Us guest
from the far-off shores Of the Fatherland, the
honor of beng allowed to speak before this
ancient and venerable society.
am one OF those mentioned in tho INTRO
duction to your 1ules, "who emlsrated TO
Charleston with view OF seeking IN new
country that reposc Which tne.r own mas oe-
MED them" Yeo my warmest feelings arc at
tached to her. But verify, gentlemen, it is to
the stranger just landing an indescribable te:l-
| ing of comfort and delight 10 sec how German
| customs and habits thrive even und>r tho
more glowing beams OF Southern sun, rear,
| ing, coupled with American life, O. toll aud
stately tree, which no storm can break, no
dark and heavy clouds can bend down, and
under whose friendly and hospitable protection
the stranger ceases, as natural sequence, to
| be n stranger. THE crown OF this enchanting
| tree is the venerable German Friendly Society
| Its fruits are stored up in the records OF his
| tory more than centennial; their names are
science in education, sociabiity IN reunions
hospitality and protection to the new conner
| from the soil of the Fatherland, charity and
nursing of the sick in times OF trouble anc
eloomSeach and every one OF these virtues
separately golden apple OF immortality IN
vessel of silver.
Let mo proclaim, then, With INLAND, our
dead but un lying German bard
"Upd fragt man mach der Schuldiskeit,
| SO schuttelt er den Wipfel;
| Gcsegnet sei er ailezelt
Won der WuIzel bis zum Gejifel!"
And now, gentlemen, seeing, as do here
! Germans and Americans in friendly union, al
low me to repeat, what said IN my "GreetmS
| to South Carolina:
.No power can kill the ever powerful live oak
Always on Carolinas sons inherent"
For view in this venerable society doubly
| crowned Ire oak Of q hundred years growth
! lei Ills drink to this twi-crOwncd tree, accord.
ing TO anGeut German birth day custom:
MAY 1t live, thrive. bloom and tear fruit yet Wit
the of God ior FIVE hundred y,ai to come
The band sang and played the "Fatherland,
many of those present joining in.
The fourth regular toast Wis theE offered:
Charles on o;r .lome-aIay the dark clouds tha
vet owe, shadow tie horizon soon break and the mo-
low rays OF the sun Of rca-c bless her with happinss
| an prosperity.
This was responded to by John II. Honour
ESQ, enc OF the Aldermen of the city, wht
spoke in glowing terms of the prosperity ant
famo @ Charleston in the past, and OF th'
bright prospect now before her, in spite OF The
darkness and gloom of the present
The band played Dixie"
The fifth and last regular toast vas ther
offered by The President as follows:
W man-Ttc last gift of God to man. minis
tcrine angel sent to soothe the journey on te's un
certain road; in nc. the sole objrct OF our uuceas
ing veneratou.
This was responded to by Dr.. J. B. Patrick
who spoke in eloquent terms OF the devotion
and tenderness OF the sex, aud their ennoblns
influence upon mon.
The land played Am I rot fondly thine