Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-10

ton of the vast crowd in attendance.
Hardly had the echoes of the song "Der
Maj fst gekommea" died away, when Col.
B~uttinghaus, Grand Marshal, introduced
the orator Of the day, Mr.. JOS. Gronauer,
who delivered an address, in the German
language, of which the following Is a YER
batim report and translation.
Welcome friends, welcome countrymeu,
men and women, youths and maidens,
boys and girls-weleome to this rustic re-
treat. The sun again smiles from the blue
ether upon turf, and flower, and tree.
Through the warm air the birds are hut-
tering, warbling the while their merry
notes. Spring is here, and may it be to
us all a delightful vernal time, which shall
quicken and freshen us to new life and
vigor, and send deep into our innermost
hearts b exuberent Joy of existence.
Let to-day be dedicated to joy and
pleasure, and as the trees throw off their
winter garb and put on a new one of
green buds, let us lay aside care and
trouble, and a to ourselves new
strength and life. 1t is an old and a beau
tiful custom of our German people that
they always spend one day, at least, of
the Joyous month of May in the open
air, on the green sWard. It is a second
nature-a demand-an irresistible COM
mandI In our dear old Fatherland the
Festival of May is celebrated by old INC
young, on every meadow, on every hill,
sweet remembrance of our old home
that we here in our new one as
semble on this occasion. To whom
are not dear and precious the May festival
of their home and childhood? Remember
We not, when, as little children at the side
of our parents, We gambolled through the
day? For his reason, if for no other, we
40, "A fva an ahflaran Eh1a nlaoarr -ah1a
remembrance, and impress into their
hearts, by the splendor of our festival to-
day, the germ of the good and beautiful.
Long after we have left this mundane
sphere of existence, they, as we now do,
will celebrate the month of May, and
going out Into the wilds of nature remem-
Der, with o and reverence, their ances-
tors and parents.
What a progress has been made in Ger
man sOciableness and e~onviviality, made
in a very few years here in Memphis, Is
shown by this gathering of to-day. A
very few years ago, / remember, b en-
tire celebration of May-Day consisted of a
picnic of a few German societies. But,
by the labors and never-resting zeal Of a
few patriotic Germans, the Mai Fest grew
TO its present significance. These gentle
men have Tho satisfaction of seeing their
labors crowned with most important re-
suits and the most complete success.
The Festival hat we celebrate to-day is
a peoples festival, in which all classes
and conditions of people take part, and is
the most beautiful that is yearly cele-
brated in Memphis. To such a festival a
deeper significance may be attached than
appears at the first glance. We should
not throw ourselves entirely into the
arms of the intoxicating and palate
tickling pleasures which they offer us on
every side, but we should not lose sight of
the noblest aims in view. Such festivals
must lay the cornerstone to al universal
harmony-societatic, religious and politi-
cal harmony!
As we have to-day united ourselves, so
to speak, as one family, to enjoy our
selves in b open air, each n of us
should learn this lesson from the teach
ings of our reuntOn-tO hold himself
ready at all times TO contribute to b
common veal. Brawls and quarrels should
give way to forgiveness and friendship.
Each must hold himself ready to help the
other as far as his strength and means
will allow. We nave all a common Faith
erland, u language, customs, and habits
are the same. Why, then, is it impossible
that we should be tremendously united
for the purpose of attaining results which
must be to the advantage of every single
one OF us?
Alas! that we preach $ o often to ears
that are deaf Everyone admits that
these principles are true and good and
noble, and should be carried out; but
there is no talk among you of spreading
the ideas, or of working them out practi-
cally. Too much mistTust and little petty
i~ealousies exist among US. German
truth and honesty" "a mana word
seem to have lost their ancient good old
sound.
1 say again that we must recover cour-
49, 49,. -.a.-A.
OF our fathersi Our late political victory
has shown US the advantages that accrue
to us from a common combined love-
ment toward one end and aim.
Only a few years ago the Germans were
not counted in the least, as weighing in
political contests, because the politician
knew that there was no organization, no
unity Of purpose among them. Through
the Labors of a few persons an end has
been put to this self-abasementi The
Germans, as a class, a people, are now a
figure on the political chess board. Their
political winter sleep is over, N their
political dawn is breaking.
But even here, l must remark, that a
reaction is noticeable. German citizens,
who only a few weeks age laboriously
and earnestly wroqAht for the general
stick their hands i'd in their bosoms,
and let little trifies hinder them fiOm
prosecuting their noble work. The prin-
ciple that unity makes strength, is finding
sympathy. Each for himself and God
for us all, seems to be the motto.
l appeal to you, Germans! my country
men! by your love of freedom, man your
selves afresh! Hold together! Reach
your hands together as a band, and
the future will give a glowing ex-
ample hat through harmonious CO.
operation the greatest results for the
welfare of all can be obtained. 1t is the
duty of every one to take part in the
mass meetings of the people. Every
citizen must regard himself as a
link in the chain, and the WiU Of the ma
jOTity must be the law for each n every
one.
To you now, and TO your well known
patriotism l appeal, ye German matrons
and maidens! Rest not until your hus-
bands, sons and brothers have given their
promise that they will york 10 this end,
that they shall enjoy the same rights and
privileges as the citizens of other nation
Cease not until you have brought
about this end. You can do it! The his
tory of centuries shows that women have
at all times possessed greater power over
men than the most choice and carefully
arguments ofthe greatest orators.
Well, | know that bis is not the place
for a political harangue, but every nearer
of mine must know and acknowledge that
our continued domestic and commercial
prosperity depends altogetherOn our polit-
zeal situation; for this reason, il must be
as firm as the corner stone of a
building which is to last through ages.
AS to the leading results which may be
obtained by an ethcscious or competent
German association, l cite the following:
Firstly, the repeal of the burdensome
Sunday laws.
Secondly, the introduction of the Ger
man language in the public schools; and
Thirdly, the holding of Office by quail
fed German citizens.
German fellow-citizens, let us to-day
determine not to rest again until we stand
upon equal political footing with our
fellow-citizens. Let us be equally
determined to keep our mother tongue
pure and undehled. There is, l am sorry
TO say, too little value set upon this jewel.
Only by carefully protecting, and propa-
of it, can we hope to perpetuate
goOd old customs. The dear recol-
which cluster around our be-
loved mother tongue should not be al
lowed to fall into decay. Truly, we have
naught to be ashamed of in the German
language. / will not speak now of the
of the great Humboldt, of Lei
big, of Schiller and Goethe, but still
only call a brief attention to the works of
burgers in the United States.
many Of the new States which have
Erisen into existence in the last twenty
years would now be what they are with
the Germans? Look at the West!
Think how it was twenty years ago-and
how it is nowl
1t is absolutely necessary that we con-
ourselves into an united political
body. In the North, in the East and in
the West this fact has been recognized. 1t
is no longer a question, for there every
German binds himself to his cOuntrymen
and the magnificent manner in which ev-