The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-12-09
THE FREUNDSCHAFTSBUND,

THE FREUNDSCHAFTSBUND.
CELEBRATION OF TUE OPENING OF
THE NEW HALL.
Novel and Interesting CeremonIes--Ad'
dresses. Music and the Drama-TwO
Pictures of the Wharf.-The Ball.
No other people, nation or tribe in Christen-
dom so tenaciously as the Germans cling to the
language, manners and institutions OF their
country, and yet 30 readily ada?t themselves to
the new apd untam liar associa Ions OF foreign
lands. Follow the German anywhere and 1t Will
be noticed that he preserves his ind viduaity.
Hereditary habits assert themselves with power
that is irresistible and from them spring infu-
ences that give to society definite tone and
character. We see how they have permeated the
great West, where the German thought and lam
guage repeats Itself as IL were in the heart OF q
younger nation. We observe them localized in
every city OF the United States in which the Ger
man has found resting place and from one and
all there emanates that peculiar and indescrbable
spirit which, springing from common source,
instinctively achieves what seems to be the mis-
sion Of the nation-unity and concord. Social
organization is part Of the machinery OF his ex.
istenc9. and around this central ssandpoins the
German gathers With oil his force,
The construction and dedication OF the Hall OF
the Freundschaftsbund-a monument OF forty
years Of German fraternity-is an Illustration OF
this fact 1t was but right therefore, that an oc-
caslon so memorable in its character AMI worthy
in its purpose should be marked by ceremonies
which, would form an epoch In the history OF the
society, and be described with that fullness OF de-
tail which belongs to public event. v
Pursuant IL the invitations Issued, the audience
OF ladies and gentlemen which assembled was
large, and composed OF our best and most innuen-
tial German citizens Before O'Clock the hall
was throngel. Soon after this hour the beautiful
drop curtain rose-an exquisite work Of art. by
the way, representing an alpine scene-and from
the assembled gentlemen on the stage, composing
the committee identified With the construction OF
the bcilding, Captain Jacob Small, the chairman,
advanced, and in that capacity, as well as that Of
president OF the Freundschattsbund, delivered the
following address: sy -s.
Address Of Captain Jacob Small.
have longed TO see has dawned at last; the happy
time has come when we may solemnly dedicate
these halls to their destined use.
The emotion which swells my heart is heighten.
ed by the respon.ive sympathy which read In
your beaming eyes-ioy al the achievement OF
great work, gadness that It has been given to
our society to see its most cherished desire &C
compished, and that we have in very truth, laid
the Keystone to our arch. We have erected an
imposing edi1ce; one which will be, we trust, an
honored memorial for many, many years TO all
Germans Of fhis city, and more especially OF the
members Of the Freundschaftsbund.
As the representative OF the society, now ten
der yay heartfelt thanks to all who, by word or
deed ent their aid In the erection OF our building
They have, by 80 doing, completed monument
for themselves which does honor to their senst-
ments and gives ample proof OF The loftlness OF
their aisns.
Yes my dear friends, we have shown at this
nation, that we also have not been unmtndful OF
our high descent, that we have been true to the
mission or the Teutontc race, VIZ: TO carry Ger
man manners 70 all parts OF the globe, and to
practice the good old German customs wherever
our people are found.
We could not take part in the glorious feats OF
arms Of our brothers beyond the sea, but we could
do our duty here, and we have done it. We have
built for German friendliness and German con-
cord worthy home beneath whose roof they
may speedily reach the rullness OF their beautiful
we are profoundly grateful that our old Father
land assisted Us In this our enterprise; llasmuch
as our brethren at home did not shrlIk lrom The
70 complete and perfect rhe edince o. the mighty
FreundSchaftsbund OF all the German peoples
When hundreds Of thousands courted death on
the field Of war, In order that the glorious work
OF unity and liberty might be finished, we could
not be idle. The victorious achievements or our
brethren yonder Inspire us here, and We have not
allowed the many difficulties which presented
themselves, even after the cornerstone was laid,
20 daunt our courage or turn US from our purpose.
The idea OF this hall was conceived at a time
when we were still suffering from the results OF
the late civil war; before revtving industry and
commerce could facilitate our undertaHlog Ihe
more creditable, therefore, is the raptdity with
which the building has been completed; the
greater must be our Joy that, after the sacrifices
we have been called on to make, we are able to
meet this day In these beautiful halls and enjoy
the sweet felicity OF unrestricted social Inter
course.
nal structure Of the Freundschafts6und Is now
completed, the inner and spiritual life OF our
society Is not yet made perfect. We must go on
in steaJk progression, and each one whose head
is Bpanped by this protecting roof may contribute
his par in making the name which this hal
truth. German ideas and German manners, all
that SO gloriously distinguishes our Fatherland
among the nations, Should and must ind under
this roof welcome and permanent home.
And when In after years our falling feet shall
no longer ascend the steps, when our voices shall
no longer be heard In the gathering OF friends let
u6 nope tnaC our SOQS auu our uhuSuiefS Will SLul
hold fast TO their German tongue, and TO German
thought and manners, thus realizing the full Sig
nifcance Of the ideas which this pile represents
On behalf OF The building committee now hand
ever this building TO you, the members OF the
sov,cty as the hall OF the German Freundschalts-
bund. And now, deeply moved as l am, with
full heart, In the fullest sense OF the word, con.
gratulate .yoS npon your new hall; wishing JOY
and content to all who dwell herein, and express
sing the hope that, to every true and thorough
German, It will be q school Of mental and spirit
ual development and substantial blessing to our
good old city. Keep 1t and qua It. therefore,
my friends, as the palladium Of German truth,
German friendship and German love.
An overture on two pianos was now performed
by Misses K. Kruse and II. Trott, Madam D.
Muller aud Professor o. Muller. after which pro-
logue, written.by Mr.. F. Melchers, was delivered
by Miss MInna Volkhausen, and received By the
audience with great applause. This was followed
by Grand Triamphal March, performed on TWO
pianos by Miss Z Kruse and Professor Muller.
The overture being concluded; the curtain arose.
Two Pictures OF the War.
The. great feature Of the evening was unques.
tionably the play, aus dem KriegSleoen, tive
pictures from the German camp before Gravelot.e.
This drama was written for the occasion by the
Rev. L. Muller, member Of the Freundschafts.
bund; Ind from the great interest," not to say en-
thusiasm, manifested BY the amateur dramatic
CORPS during the period OF preparation, we are