The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-21
GERMAN FRIENDLY SOCIETY.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNIVERSARY
Dinner. Speeches. Toasts, Sc.

| AT tho anniversary meeting OF the German
Friendly Society of this city, held yesterday in
the Pavilion Hotel, tho following officers were
elected to serve for the ensuing year:
J. SMALL, President.
| II. b. OLNEY, Senior Warden
| A. MELCHERS, Junior Warden.
). j. N. T. psFERsEh, nossEsEi Stewards
| John A: BLUM. Secretary.
| j. +. SCHIRMhR Treasurer.
| Committee on CharAy-J. II. Honour Chairman
H. s'obia, II. Horlbeck DR., a. z. Pelzer, DR.. j. B..
Patrick II. W. Muckenf1ss, A. II. Dunkin.
| Committee on Re(,ec-H. Gerdts. Chairman; John
Klnch, +. r.. wickcnbe,g s. Lord d. A. Anne
| Conanittce on Accounts.-J. II. Steinmeyer, Chair
man; Alexander Calder, f. J, Pe!zer, Henry sieg-
| ling 8. J. Burger. tl Han,
OsmmiUee on Supplies Alexander Nechers. Chair
o. Aiohei. ! 80 4 4. ;S1 Il 3. ,.''.,' !,
Committee on Inpeetior..--y. J. d. Muckenfuss
Chairman; J. s. Westendorf J. 8. Schirmer. o. E.
Bcckman, l.. Is. Lovegreen. Sd of 3Ta
Ccn,satttee on Lbrdry.-J. f. Fscken, Chairman;
j. NJ. Petersen. $50 ft
After the regular business Of the day had
been transacted the society adjourned to the
dining room, where asdinner was served by
Mr.. Butterfeld, oawhich it may be said that it
was the most satisfactory public dinner that
has been given in Charleston for a long time
There was an abundance of every thing, and it
was well prepared and when that is said about
q dinner, there is nothing stronger that re-
mains TO be said Tables were spread on throe
sides of the large dnning-room Of the hotcl,
! and they were we'll filled, there being upwards
of one hundred persons present. Captain
Jacob Small, President Of the society, presided
at one end of the table, and Alderman Olney,
one Of the Vice-Presidents, OF the other; the
President being supported on his right by
Professor Meier, and on his left bv DR.. Bach
man. Knives, forks and glasses jngled mer-
rily for awhile, until the heartiest eaters
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 acknowledgements 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 the band
which was stationed in the centre of the hall,
played La Marsellaise."
The President then read the second regular
toast:
The Founders OF our society-May we ever
cherish that noble feeling established by them, and
may we never be recreant in carrying out their de-
signs VI
This toast was responded to by A. n. 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
vocations, they impressed upon the commu-
nifty in which they lived some of the best types
Of German civilization. They were thought
full, practical, reticent. Their confidence was
OF slow growth, but once bestos ed rarely with
s. sEo % u a qakey ware 5hs ast s. ts
moderation. They put their hands to their
work which was before them; they looked not
behind. 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 Steu-
ben and DeKalb, who won the place Of hero
and martyr in the struggle for new life. After
the waving shoots that adorned their graves
had become sturdy, venerable monarchs, then
| came the agony which yelled 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
self,relance. 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
|. Germany i-sweet land Of our fathers and dear
home Of our affection; though separated by the
mighty ocean, our hearts eti cling to thee. and
will 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
but the hope Of your kind indulgence encour-
ages n, Q to appropriate to myself, as the most
recent Carolinian in your midst as guest
from the far-off shores of the Fatherland, the
honor OF beng allowed to speak before this
ancient and venerable society.
I am one Of those mentioned in the intro
ductiOn to your rules, t;who emigrated to
Charleston with view of seeking in new
/ country that repose which their own has de.
MED them."s Yet my warmest feelings are at
tached to her. But verify, gentlemen, it is to
the Stranger just landing an indescribable feel
ing OF comfort and delight to see how German
customs and habits thrive even under the
| more glowing beams Of a Southern SUM- rear
ing. coupled with American life, tall and
stately tree, which no storm can break, no
dark and heavy clouds can bend down, and
the stranger ceases, as natural sequence, to
be stranger, The crown Of this enchanting
tree is the venerable German Friendly Society.
Its fraits are stored up in the records OF his
science in education, sociability in reunions
hospitality and protection to the new conner
from the soil Of tho Fatherland, charity and
nursing OF the sick In times of trouble and
glOom--each and every one OF these virtues
separately 2 golden apple Of Immortality in o
Let me proclaim, then, with INLAND, our
dead but unaying German bard:
"Und fragt man mach der schu1diakeit,
So schqttet er den Wipfe!;
Gesegnet sei er allezeit g.
Won der WuIzel bis zuni Getifelt''
And now. gentlemen, seeing, as do here.
Germans and Americans In friendly union, al
49, ~