The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-06-28
THE NEW GERMAN TEMPLE
LAYING THE CORNER sTONE OF THE
NEW BEETHOYEN HALL.

An Imposing Procession in the Seventeenth
Wsrd-Msvor OHsli as a Mssen-An
Eioauent Address By the Hon. Mngnus
Gross-Bsnauet In Terrace Garden
A stranger passing through the east side of the
city yesterday, from Houston street TO Tenth, and
nom Second avenue to Avenue b, would have
thought that It was . grand holiday. The streets
were crowded with Germans, and every window on
the route had German and American flag floating
in the breeze. In front OF many OF the houses were
busts OF Beethoven, and also largo paintings The
occasion was the laying OF the corner stone OF the
new Beethoven Hall, 210 and 21a Fifth street.
Al O'Clock, precisely the members OF the
Beethoven Maennerchor assembled in their present
rooms, 431 sixth street. The Beethoven Maenner-
chor organized August 16 1852 and at the pres
ent time numbers 600 members, about ninety OF
whom well trained singers.
The hall which they propose 10 build IL 10 be 50xos
feet. The lot cost t32 and II Is estimated that
the building win cost 10000 more. 1t is to be built
Of Nova Scotia stone, i've stories high, with French
Mansard roof The basement will contain bowling
are TO be the bar and billiard rooms 47x60 feet on
the second floor the supper room. dressing rooms
bail room. S11so feet. y" The he buidnS % viii also eop
tain o library and reading room, and the fifth floor
is TO be occupied BY the janitor: A multitude Of
Germans had assembled at 431 Sixth street. when at
about O'Clock, Sheriff James O'Brien arrived and
received q hearty welcome from the members OF the
NJ iennerchor. The Sheriff was soon followed by
Coul Clerk Charles K. Loew. Alderman Henry
Woltman, and last, Mayor Abraham O'Hall. In
medistely after the arrival OF the latter parsonage
the procession started In the following order:
.PissoSn Of rolcs, under so%nspd e Csgt MSgns. Mount
Presdspt Joseph ohmss. mcmber of the pres, J: 4.
ma.ds @ aafreto areetor =. And many otis ' '''"
Then followed the members OF the Beethoven
maennerchor, go strong.
avenue, down Second avenue to First street, down
TO First avenue up First avenue to Seventh street
down to Avenue A. down to Houston street, through
to the Bowety. and thence to Fifth street where the
ceremony OF laying the corner s,one was 10 take
Here the procession rested and the guests mounted
platform which had been erected on the grounds,
and decorated with bunting and evergrcebs for the
singers, entitled The Day Of the Lord" Mr.
Joseph Ohmeis, the President, then called the vast
,hrons TO order, snd Mayor Hall proceeded to lay
derneath the stone were placed The Sun and
other journals, the various gold aud silver coins OF
rulers, copy OF the Society's charter, the names
Of the member, the carte-de-yisite OF Captain
Afisr the ceremony had been performed, Mayor
o'Ilnn again sseenisa ;he platform. and said lie
hoped the harmonious universe would gather around
Three cheers were then given, and the Hon.
MaRnus Gross introduced.
MT. Gross began by remarkine that they had
planted another root Of German origin In the soil
Of America-the adopted home OF the Germans
here TO grow and expand. II is particularly matter
oi rejoeng that this event takes place In this Seven
teenth Ward, so largely inhabited by Germans.
The speaker dwelt upon the small beginning of the
German emigration to this country about twenty.
nve or thirty years ago; how they have
mainly been gathering In the large cities.
the whole Of this vast Republic. Those who are
coming now can have hut faint idea OF tile strug
giles, exertions, and privations of the German pio-
neers. They can now go wherever they please and
meet with their countrymen ready to assist them
with word and deed. lie dwelt upon the fact that
the successive struggles In old Germany for reii-
gous political, and social liberties uniformly have
their victims, who almost to 4 man become the
builders up OF the German American element In this
country The speaker expanded on these ideas alud-
ing TO the contempt with which in European circles
the emigrant element in the American Republic had
been looked upon. And how wonderfully all that
has cham ed after lapse OF few years, the republic
growing into one OF the recognized powers Of the
earth, and the despiscd German emigrants into
important and Influential constituent OF this great
and frec people
The singers then struck up another song entitled
"The Praise OF God"
The multitude proceeded in open cars, and the In
vited guests In carriages, to Terrace Garden, where
banquet was spread.