The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-28
enjoy themselves to their hearts con-

Collector Baldwin and Receiver Fisher
were next called, but both excused them
selves as not being blessed with the gif
of eloquence, only congratulating
Messrs. Wagener g. Co. on the auspiciou:
occasion which had called the company
together.
Acting Mayor Follin was now loudly
called for, but just as he was about tt
speak strains of music were heard and
the familiar notes of Dixie came floating
on the air. Nearer and nearer came the
music, and shortly was heard the regular
tramp of soldiers, and directly the Ger.
man Artillery in full uniform and large
force, followed by the German Fire Com
pany also in uniform, entered the hall
The Artillery, under command of Lieut.
James Smons, marched round to the
south side of the hall and faced to the
front, their line extending the entire
length of the building.
The company presented sabres to
Capt. Wagener, after which Lieut.. Simons
on their behalf delivered in German a
congratulatory address remarkable for
its simplicity, earncstness and beautiful
expression. Lieut.. Simons said that
Capt. Wagener might for moment be
surprised at being interrupted in the
midst of festive occasion by the tread
of armed men, but when he recognized
the uniform of his own command he
would realize that his comrades had
seized the present opportunity to con-
graduate him on his business success.
There were in the ranks of the Artillery
those who lad served under him in the
war, and who recollected how he had
returned to Charleston when all was ruin
and dcsolation, and, throwing aside his
old uniform coat worn threadbare in the
service, had gone to work to rebuild his
fortunes aud those of the city. They had
watched his success with interest,", and
felt share Of pride in his achievements.
They had noticed how as his business
increased larger and larger buildings be-.
came too small for the demands of his
trade until now he had built and erected
the largest business establishment, not
only in Charleston, but in the whole
country, and they wished him good luck.
Capt. J. II. Stemmerman, of the Ger
man Fire Company, then also addressed
Capt: Wagner, congratulating him on
behalf Of his company. Capt. Stemmer.
man spoke with wamth and feeling, and
evidently expressed the sentiments of his
heart.
Three cheers were then given for Capt..
Wagner, and he replied in an earnest and
affecting speech in German to the con-
gratulations of his comrades.
The Artillery and Firemen were then
invited to take their places at the table,
and their glasses being .llled Acting
Mayor Follin was again called on and
addressed Capt. WAGNER and his assem-
bled guests in few brief and stirring
sentences. Capt. FoIlin said that
he could but imperfectly convey the con-
gratuations which the absent Mayor and
Board of Aldermen would be proud to
tender to man who had done so much
to promote the interests and improve the
appearance of the city over which it was
their honor to preside.
Major Augustine T. Smythe was next
called on, and made happy contribu
ton to the stream of congratulation and
complement of which Capt. Wagner was
the recipient in the course of the even
ing.
Alderman UEerhardt being called on,
responded as follows:
Capt. Wagencr and Gentlemen-As
you have honured me by invitation to
this momentous celebration, and called
me up for sentiment suiting the occa-
sion, allow me to say few words on the
position of our German fellow-citizens in
this community. For near fcrty years
their industry, enterprise, perseverance
and consequent success has been the So
licitude as we'll as the pride of your hum
BILE servant. Forty years ago already
Gen. John A. Wagner and Capt. Jur.
gen Wagener, senior brothers of the head
of this house. were contemporaries and
coworkers with him in the social and
moral advancement of their German fal.
low.citizens. The Unity Of the Ger
mans" was the topic of an address he
heard Capt. Jurgen Wagencr, the father
of the junior of this house, deliver at q
reunion of prominent Germans just thir-
ty-six years ago. That unity attained
upon all topics of main interest has been
and is now, doing its good work!
Our German adopted citizen knows his
business. He builds or buys house, and
pays for it; or he hires one and pays the
rent the first thing. He or his family
eat no meal and wear no clothes until
they are paid for. He is the formost
at the tax offices aud does not rest until
he has his tax receipts in his pocket.
He does not mix or meddle much with
politics, but in times of trouble that try
mems souls you find him only on that
side where there is the most justice and
equity. For these principles he is ready
to sacrifice and has sacrificed even his
life's blood.
1 ask you then, fellow citizens, are we
Germans good and true citizens, or not? :?
Yes, my friends, we are and the city,
aye. the whole country says yes, when it
calls the German into positions of high
honor and trust, if not of cmolument, pay
and reward
Let me, then, in conclusion, offer the
following sentiment:
"Our German citizens, honest and true,
faithful and patriotic, may they
maintain forever that honorable position
they have attained, socially, morally and
politically, under the leadership of good
and true men from the Fatherland, the
honored dead as we'll as those still work.
ing and rising"
Major A. Melchers, Messrs. Bollmann.
Wulbern, Pieper, Stelling, Kerrigan and
others also made brief speeches, and
amid much wit and good humor the cell
cbration was kept up until a late hour.
the closing ceremony being the singing OF
"Die IVacih am Rhcin" by the..who!e com
pany in chorus.
Don't be satisfied aciM less than 1900
majority for the Democratic nominees on
Tuesday in this County.
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