The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-26
THE GERMAN TURNER'S.
A Peculiar and Praiseworthy Organiza
tion-Its Platform and Objects.

Sociabilty is one OF the national character.
istics of tie Germ ms, hence minority of them
have formed themselves into all sorts OF socIe-
ties. for charitable purposes, physical and men
tal Improvement, and last, but by no means
least, OF mutual enjoyment Among their nu.
merous societies, that OF the Turner BunI
constitutes a leading feature. Turner ior
which we have no proper word in the English
language, as tn art is purely German, though
initiated of late by other nations, is a science
which teaches gymnastics, such as fencing,
boxing, jumping, climbing, lifting great
weights. wrestling, and msny other similar
physical exercises. with which, however, men.
tai feats-sinsing, music debating, declaim-
ing, &c.-are connected. A brief history Of
the origin and progress of this novel science
novel at least on this con.inent-may not be
entirely without interest to the public; hence
We will endeavor to give brief synopsis Of
such items iu regard to 1t as we are able to
gather. The aims aud objects. of the Turner
Bund (society) are bsst, explained by their
platform:
The North American Turner Bund (society)
makes il its principal object to educate men to
q robust physical condition. and enlightened
views; to use all proper ptsansin the reform OF
social, political and religious relations, and the
rea,lzation of innate human rights. The fur
ther object Of the Turner Bund is to promote
Ali movements based upon rational ideas, and
hence thu Turner's first duty is to combat sla.
yery. (now e1tinct,) and nativism; to uphold
freedom OF conscience, and to counteract all
efforts to suppress any agitations againt human
or democratic, (by which no political party Is
meant,) principles. The Turner's Bund con-
elders the manaeement % Gt msny on oGt puIas apas
il Incumbent upon the different branches OF It's
society to enlighten it's members upon oil politi-
cal topics and to guard against political cor.
ruptiops. Further, it is the duty OF the Bund
to assist to its utmost capacity in the erection
OF good schools, in order to give the youth
moral and unbiased education.
The art Of turning. or physical exercises.
has already been practiced by the Greeks at
the time their empire was in its zenith, but
has, from time to time, been revived since,
owing to the adage that "only sound body is
able 10 contain q sound SOUL" Basedow, in
his philanthropy" which appeared In Germa-
nv in 1776, gave the first impulse to that then
obsolete art. Salzmau, in his treatise on
gymnastics, which appeared in schnepfenthal
in the year 17sS. and J. Chr. Fl; osn Gutsmutn, IN
s.Gymnastics for the Youth, /" attracted the Of.
tention Of pedsgogues and scientific men in
Germany 10 this marly art The rising OF tho
German people against its oppressors gave the
promugators OF the art occasion to use the
came for political purposes. Even J. d: Pesta-
lozz, (who died on the 18th Of February,
1871 Germany's greatest pedagogue, issued
work IN 1907, at Mesren, relating thereto.
It Was however, left to Frederick Ludwig
jain, who was born on the 11th OF August,
l778 and died on the 10Th Of October, 1852, to
crown the art with success. Hence the name
of "Fatber jain" is household word among
turner's. II was him who called into actual
existence the resisting spirit against political
and monarchial oppresslons, and who told the
people that they must rely on their muecle!s
and educate their youth accordingly. In all
the battles which the Germans fought TOR po'
pular rights and against the encroaching pow
ers of aristocrats and monarchles, the "turn'
ers" rendered the most valiant services. Many
others of Germaoy's most distinguished men
persons imbued with spirit OF true liberty
devoted their time, means and capacities to
the promotion OF this patriotic movement, un,
til il has actually become popular art IN thai
country, and ,s now taught in all public ipstitu
tions Of learning.