The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-21
FIFTY THOUSAND GERMANS
Opening Of the National Festival
at Schuetzsn Park. u
LAGER, MUSIC AND SONG
How the Children Of the Fatherland
Passed a Jolly Day.

The German national festival at the Schuetzeu
Park. Union Hill. NJ j.. was mos. successfully in.
augurated yesterday. With the rising of the sun
tie committees were busy putting the last touches
to the decorations aud making the arrangements for
the reception OF the throngs that expected
The beautiful park never looked more charming OF
inviting. The forty odd Of woodland and
lake a perfect garden. The flowers. rare
shrubs. tipped with the dew of early morning
sparkled in the sunlight and the leaves Of the great
rustled softly with the breezes that
the meadow lands from tho Ramapo Mountains to
the westward. The decorations Of the grounds far
surpassed thing before attempted there and
in most excellent taste throughout. Near the
grand entrance arch of evergreens and cut
flowers. Of fully seventy-Ave feet span. with the
word "welcome" picked out in roses. From this
arch hung garlands of roses trailing over the
entrance gates and making the air heavy
with their fragrance. and wherever nature
had failed TO provide flowers gardens and
lighthouses supplied the deficiency. So great
this profuson Of flowers that Q stranger
happening in at of the gates might have sup
posed the exhibition of some horticulture society to
be in progress. The only thing about the park that
detracted in the least from its romantic beauty was
occasional sign Of beware Of Pickpockets," ITO
few other common places Of like nature. Some
of these and particularly the former. doubt
necessary. for the festivals at the park past
years been SO orderly that the special police have
grown exceedingly stupid.
PEOPLE.
The national festival intended to combine all
German societies in united denomination for
the "Fatherand, the receipts being for the German
Hospital and Dispensary of this city. This and the
idea OF German unity reused the enthusiasm Of the
people to such extent that they buried all tho
little hatchets heretofore standing edge between
the several societies and turned our en- masse Tho
gates opened early. and men. women and chill
drcn poured through them until late in the
evening. There every variety Of
tune and every sort Of person. The wealthy
brewer came i'll his own carriage. with prancinG
horses and gold trimmed harness; the man who
worked for him toiled up the hill with his and
kinder fought desperately for place the horse
cars or stages. Suabian and Plattdeutche marched
side by sdo in friendly converse. The Tyrolean
came in warbling, while behind him trudged the
Bavarian, roaring the "Wacht am Rhine" to
the delight of the numerous small boys and
the dismay OF sensitive ears. The committee. in-
Guiding many well known German gentlemen Of this
city. stood on the broad piazzas of the castle ana
sm!ingly watched this procession go by. while they
congratulated themselves on the happy effect Of the
selves the park in every direction, choosing
that portion which best suited their taste.
AMUsEMENTs. .
As already announced in the HERALD the amuse-
ments both pleasing and varied. Music
abounded Each headquarters of q society had its
playing together at times The effect Of this was
anything but PLEASANT but occasionally the bad
s Of the DC TO
of America. The sacred concert in the afternoon
thoroughly enjoyable the orchestra-which
most excellent one-being stationed out Of
reach of the others. This was listened to by
crowd OF people that certainly did not number less
than five Thousand. The grand plaza, open and
level plain Of about Ave acres, arranged the
games and amuscmehts, while just in the centre
stood the statue OF Gerinania. There were pig
races. sack races. donkey running aud walk.
ing races. Punch and Judy shows. operettas, aero.
batic performances. Japanese juggling. pie
tanments. all free to the public. One would
be began immediately after the other ended. the
place after a band which. while acting as guide.
payed lusti.y some popular AR, in which those with
musical tastes would join. tt1
UNWILLING STATUE.
The opening ceremonies were conducted on the
grand piazza in the presence of vast concourse Of
people who jostled ono another for hour
without sign of discomfort 1t was one of
the best natured and orderly crowds the writer
saw The platform in the centre occupied by
number OF the committee. the president OF the
ciety. Mr.. Hermann ID. Bsche; the president Of the
German Hospital. Mr.. Willy waach; the German
Others. he statue. which was made expressly for
the OCCASION is about fifteen feet high. 1t is the
typical female figure of Gcrnania standing with
hand extended and the other resting on the sword
of Justice. 1t is mounted on pedestal of about
twelve feet in height. and IN the midst OF the level
plain presents quite imposing appearance
although an work OF art 1t Ii anything but sue
cess. The four sides OF the pedestal bore niedaona
dedicated to ''Song 'Thc Rifle ""Athietic Sports"
and the three joined. The notices may be appro
pirate but 1t somewhat curious fact that there
was no German the ground who under stood Eng
lish n n 4 Ia
ton.
PRESIDENT BUscHE's ADDRESS.
After the music of the band and the cheers Of the
multitude Mr.. Hermann ID. Busche, president,
made tue following address Eriends. singers.
Turner'S. rincmen, all German brothers within the
sound OF my voice-a most heartily welcome
We have here to hold great national festival
uniting in great effort all rue and loy sl German
hearts, festival in the true sense Of the word-fof
IT is the outpouring of German hearts toward grand
charity. the German Hospital. the only Institution
in this section oil country where fellow country.
men In sickness and pain may seek refuge Aud
ask you all where can enjoyment be partaken OF in o
higher measure. where can a man find = higher en-
juyiuent than in aiding such u noble enterprise?
We are gathered here to-day on this beautiful
spot. owned by, Germans where the sectional
German festival. (Cheers.) Germans Of Prus
STA. OF Austria, Of Dackburg. of Meckienburg
Of Bavaria OF Hesse. OF Darmstsdt, OF Hamburg, Of
schoeppen ,tadt-Germans from every corner of our
dear fathcr.and. We are OF one language and feel
ourselves strong in our unity. tChcers.) The sym.
Dol OF all this is our dear Cicrmania. Here sha
stands before in the fulness of her glory, recalling
that The Watch the Rhine is truly kept Your
presence here to-day shows those who aid this fest
Val that the bond of unity il a strong and lasting
one, and on their behalf bid you all heartily vel
come. The festival is and made 30 by
Germans" ~
At the conclusion of Mr.. Busche's remarks the
statue unveiled amid the most enthusiastic
cheering.
III the evening the amuscments account of its
being SUNDAY, or less limited. No dancing
was permitted. sacred concert. followed by trans
purences illustrating the German Hospital and other
scenes about New York. given, and the day
closed with grand display OF fireworks.
PROGRAMME TO-DAY.
The attendance to-day IL expected TO be the largest
during festival The day Is to be devoted tho
singing societies, which are to be present TO the
number OF several hundred Grand choruses tor
1900 voices which have been In preparation for
months. to be given, aud the other amusementa
are many. Dancing in the afternoon and evening"
with concerts and side shows OF every description
20 90 make up the general list while In the evening
thore Will be grand displays of fireworks. balloon
ascensions and the representation OF number OF the
aauiic leuends OF III. RLiuu Tho