Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-12
THE GERMAN MAIFEST.
An AuspIeIOus Day = A large and
Happy Gathering Speeches, Ma
sic aud Dancing.


The German Maifest Of last Thursday,
to which we alluded only briefly for
want of time and space, was the occs-
sion for most happy reunion Of our
German population and their friends at
James Park. The day was bright, the
air soft and balmy the arrangements all
complete, and nature smiled upon the
joyful throng that fingered long after
nightfall to sway in the graceful mazes
of the dance and to drink the foaming
lager and to ill the broad avenues beneath
the overshadowing branches of grand
old trees. The orators of the occasion
were Mr.. H. G. Hampe and Mr.. John A.
Roush. Their speeches we're we'll deliv-
cred from the main stand and listened to
with close attention, and frequent sp.
plauso, by the large and intelligent
crowd, which had arrived at that hour
five o'clock in the afternoon. The fol-
lowing is literal translation Of the
SPEECH OF MR.. II. C HAMPE.
My Dear Friends and Fellow. Citizens:
"Tbe May has come the groves
are endowed with new foliage" These
are the commencing words of spring
song well known to all of you. But |
will add All who can, will come to our
Maifest and enjoy, under the azure firm
ament and natures canopy, good humor,
serenity and pleasure.
Thus, the day has come when we cele-
brate our Maifest-the 18th anniversary
-and | have been honored with the
charge of delivering the annual address
of welcome; and, so, my friends. greet
you all with true, hearty welcome to
our festival This day is designated for
all Of us to celebrate, in our German Gus
tom, the return of lovely spring and to
greet each other with friendship and har-
mony, and enjoy mutual sociability.
Therefore, friends, let US enjoy the wel-
come moments which our festival offers.
Let us exchange our mutual friendly
sentiments The symbols of sorrow
must vanish on this day; the heavy load
of our daily avocations and the trouble
some spirit must be discarded for few
hours on this, our day, so that we may
feel, once year, at least, that we are
human beings and the Lord superior
creatures. Nowhere is this more need.
full than on this, American soil. No man
wants it so much as the German.
The time has, fortunately, passed when
the German was dazzled by the success
aud practical ways OF the Americans;
when he discarded his anteoedents and
intelligence, only to become, as soon as
possible, practical American. Tbs
more closely we adhere to the intellec
tual treasures Of our native nationality
the more will we be esteemed by our ma
tive born American fellow-citizens. The
nationality is to people what the char
aeter is to an individual To deny Oh
cast off our native nationality would bt
equal to discarding our good character
Our whole endeavor should be to pro
mote German manners, German schools
German institutions and German har
mony, unity and faith; and discard OF
shun everything which might hinder OF
delay the realization of our wishes. Par
ticularly sholld we avoid everything
which might lead to discord and envy
The political demagoguery, the con
tinuous running after the almighty dol
lar, the nonsensical hatred between 20
litioal parties-these are some of tn
most prominent evils against the pros
perity of our great American nation
and the sooner we begin and the NOR
energetically we work against those evil
with words and acts the better for all O
us. The singers, the Turner's, the mem
bers Of benevolent associations, the in
structors in our schools, the disciples O
science; in short, all must endeavor t
promote this noble work.
Concluding my remarks, | propos
three cheers to the black, white and red
the beloved German colors, and whic
we adorel
Three cheers for the stars and stripes
under which we enjoy liberty and prC
tsction-which colors swing triuu
phantly in the morning dew Of our grea
| nationl
Three cheers to the faithful blue an
pure white, the colors Of the FIRST Hs