The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-04-17
THE TURNER'S.
Celebration of their Twenty
Fifth Anniversary.
Address of the President of
the Association.

| Vi tuclI do q
trict and separate turning society. TWEEN
ty five years years ago the social society
was formed in Rock Island which was
small in numbers, 1t gradually grew I'M
til it numbered many of the leading Ger
man citizens of this city. The name was
then changed to the Rock Island Turner's"
and by that title it has waxed strong in in
fiuence and numbers, until at the present
time it has become one of the most pros
porous organizations in the whole district.
Its history has been one of a succession of
Improvements until its standing financially,
socially and otherwise is now beyond dis
pute.
| THE EXERCISES
held in commemoration of the event were
of an appropriate character and proved
both instructive and attractive to the large
audience in attendance at Turner hail last
evening. In the afternoon the corner
stone of the new gymnasium was placed
in position, and was conducted by John
| We stphall, one of the oldest Turner's in the
society. He made a brief address in which
he spoke of the progress of the society,
and the benefits which would be derived
from the new building devoted exclusively
to the gymnastic department. Among
other articles placed in the tin box within
the corner stone were the daily ARGUS,
| Union, Vo!kszeitung, two papers devoted
to turning the constitution and list of
! IF ha Pooly Telan1
several pieces of money.
IN THE EVENING
a large audience gathered at Turner hall
including the Turner's of this city, Moline
and number of invited guests.
| The music for the occasion was furnish
ed by Bleuer's orchestra, while vocal mum
bers were rendered by the Arion singing
society.
| A varied programme was carried out,
including music and the address of Mr..
| Hass, president of the society. At the con-
clusion of the address a social evening
was enjoyed, and everything passed off in
a most satisfactory manner
| The Turner's gave no exhibition, much
to the regret of many. 1t is understood
that an exhibition of that character will be
given on the completion of the gymnasi
UNI, which is expected about the middle Of
May. At that time very attractive en-
tertainment will be given.
| j. L. HAss,
the President of the Rock Island Turner
| Society, delivered the following address:
| The Rock Island Turngemeinde celebrates
to-day its forty-fifth anniversary, and in
reviewing its history it seems proper to
| look back to the origin of the German
| turning generally. The turning, the OBJ
| iect Of which is not only to exercise the
| body, to increase its strength by gymnas-
tic exercises and practises. but also to
cultivate the mind and the heart, and i'm
part to those who are members of the or
ganiZation and engaged in its exercises and
practiseS the virtues which make good
citizens and useful members of society
generally. resulted from the far Germany
unfavorable events at the beginning of
this century. At the time when Germany
was at the mercyief a cruel and triumphant
conqueror. as the whole nation lay pros
| trated at the feet of France, which reioiced
in its victory over the universe almost; at
the time when the bravest were discourag-
ed and without hope, Father jain, the
father of Turning in Germany, called on
Young Germany, well knowing that to the
young generation the nation had to look
for its deliverance. It was his object to
educate the young men physically and
| mentally. To fill their minds with enthu-
siasm, their hearts with love for their ma
tive country and to give to their ideas and
principles such tendency generally. that
they might be used for the cause of all and
to the advantage of the nation. And in
this he succeeded beyond expectation.
When the time for action cad arrived,
John led forth his pupils
They were followed by others, who
were inspired with their enthusiasm for
the cause of Germany, and France could
not resist the power and force of an enemy
whose main strength consisted in the love
for the country where he was born and in
the noble virtues of a young generation,
obtained by an education, whose objects
were the results, which were attained in
the end. The memory of the old teacher,
of Father jain was perpetuated by a
monument, which was erected by grateful
Germany some years ago.
IN REVIEWING
the history of Turning in America, we
find that the American organization also
hau lis origin IN the poHtlcal events In
Germany, to-wit: The revolutionary
effolts in the year $3.50, which result
ed in complete failure. The political
refugees were emigrants driven from Ger
many by the persecution and reaction
airy measures of the Government who had
been members of Turn-Societies in Ger
many. Immediately upon their arrival in
this country, theya started similar societies
of liberal and progressive tendencies, the
object of which were sound mental and
physical education with which was convict
ed the intent to participate in all political, |
social and religious matters. Are here |
similar to their experience in Germany, |
the turn organization had occasion to |
show, that their exercises had valuable and |
great objects in view, and that the idea. |
the principle, forming the theory of turn
ing, namely the love for the country |
which supports our practises them proved |
strong enough to afford assistance to |
America when the nation called en- her
sons for help and protection against the |
enemy. who threatened to destroy it with |
rebellion and sedition. The Turner's were
among the first who enlisted individually; |
or, where the strength of the society ad- |
mitted it, in companies; and it can be said, |
that there iS no Turu .,r..x