Daily globe., 1879-06-05
GEN: SIGEL'S LECTURE.
He Treats of the German Element
Amarica -

was to lecture at the Atheneum last even |
ing, drew out a large audience, who were
with an interesting and very
instructive address. The lecture was on
ssThe German Element in America - and
was delivered in clear and comprehensive
German, very complete synopsis of which
was translated by the linguistic reporter of
the GLOBE. After few opening remarks,
the lecturer adverted to the spirit of enter
prise and thrift that first led the Germans
to emigrate to Venezuela and North America,
an interesting account being gwen of the
wars between France and Germany during
the reign of Louis XIV. of France. The
revolution edict of Nantes was then alluded
to, as the cause of the emigration of the
Rhine by the French General Melao was
given as reason for the exodus of 10000
people to England and America.
Hethen entered into discussion of affairs
in this country during the war of independ-
ence, mentioning the services of Baron von
Steuben and De Kalb, and how, after the
formation of the new government of the
United States, the doors were thrown wide
open to European immigration and q great,
many Germans came over to seek home in
the new trans Atlantic republic. The French
revolution of 1889 and the great wars sub
sequent, thereupon stopped for q time the
influx of emigrants from Europe-th NUM-
ber of new comers being comparatively very
small. But after the conclusion of peace
and the organization of the German con-
federacy, when the German people began to
demand ttunity and liberty" and the mon
archial governments met their demands
by reactionary and oppressive measures,
emigration again commenced. The strug-
gle once inaugurated, continued almost with
out interruption until 1948 and 1849, when
all Germany broke out in open revolt, but
finally succumbed and the monarchical pow
ers again became masters of the situation.
Now began the great tide of emigration from
Europe. Not only hundreds, but thousands
and even hundreds of thousands, came over
| every year, so that the whole number OF
emigrants since 1920 up to 1879 amounted
to 1O,O00,O00, amongst them 100000 Of
Germans. Every new effort of the people tx
rise in the name of liberty and unity, wa.
| followed by reaction, and reaction by emf
grafton.
Relative to the present position Of the Ger
mans as national element, he said they hai
contributed much to the material prosperit,
and welfare of this country and that the!
had spread out far and wide over the coun
try from the Atlantic to the Pacific, ant
from the great lakes to the gulf of Mexico
In regard to their future it seemed as if the,
would consolidate in the different States
where they have settled in great numbers
and 50 it seemed with other nationalities
That by the natural power of attraction sim
liar elements would reinforce those alread
existing. That they would form as
wora States within States. Int Ahis ton
, dency was by far over-halanced by tn
elements of union, working slowly bu
: steadily and surely towards the unifcation Q
the American people. These elements wer
especially one government, extending its pro
> tective arm over the whole country, one con
) stitution, recognized by all formally an
legally, the facility of communication an
migration from one part of the country t
the other, by the great lines of railroads an
: telegraphs; the English language, which ha
r been adopted as universal medium-ou
:, great system of public schools employin
300, 900 teachers giving instruction to an arm
of nearly 100000 of children, and spene
. ing working capital of about $500, ,O0O, ,OC
t a year, and finally the sentiment of unio1
r which is so great in our people that it ove1
: balances all other considerations. We ma
therefore, say that this country will prese1
2 in the future, at least so far as we could sc
. one country of countries, one nation of n,
!, tions, one people of peoples, and one lal
9 guage but a hundred tongues The lectur.
) then appealed to his audience and the Anne
ican people in general, not to favor separ
. ton and fanaticism, but by G wise and mo-
: crate policy to unite the different national
i ties into one common brotherhood.
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