Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-08-28

the German people who stayed where
once their ancient forests stood. Kindred
In institutions, but lacking in unity Of
government, Germany again aud again
was made the battle ground where rest
less ambition with vast armies for
counters, played out the game known "a
the European balance Of power. The
ancient German Rmpire, mere band or
confederscy OF states, lily Joined and rent
with jealousies and antagonism, lay like
huge levisthan, shorn Of its prodigious
strength, the prey and sport OF the am
bilious kings and emperers. In my own
recollection the German Empire was made
up Of 81 independent Kingdoms aud
states, each one maintaining a separate
and Independent sovereign, court and
army. Yet despite all these distractions
In the way OF progress and development,
how wonderful during that time Is the
history OF the German people.
The Germans come TO America to day
to find here the ancient customs OF their
forefathers, the Jury and the parliament
handed down by another nation, but one
OF common origin. Thus do the streams
that parted more than Thousand years
ago meet once more In theland Of freedom
and Of promise. Thus again does the
vast migration move, but now not with
the arms OF war, or against hostile foes;
you come TO the conquests Of peace. In
no way is 80 clearly marked the advance
meanwhile made in the march Of the
worlds progress. You are not "welcome
With bloody hands to hospitable graves"
On the contrary whole people bid you
welcome to share In their labor, In their
gains. We bid you welcome to toll with
us In the east, or We offer you farms and
homes almost without money and without
price in the boundless domain Of the
west. You leave behind you million Of
your countrymen, enrolled In the army,
and liable at any moment to be plut ged
into war. You make your new home in
land where "the battle flags are furled,"
and where peace 10 secured for all time
to come. You leave behind you an Em-
peror, an sristoorsoy and arbitrary power.
You take your part In the fortunes Of .
land, where democracy has no further
oonquestB to make and where the people
govern themselves, confident and happy
under the securities and restraints Of con-
stitutionsl law.
In conclusion, Mr.. Higgins stated the
object Of the fest, and expressed the belief
that the American had TOO few holidays,
and that the German example should be
followed.
The opening exercises were concluded
by selection by the First Regiment
Band. The attendance during the after
noon numbered several hundred people.
Among the special guests of the fest were
Gov. 5tocklsy, Senator Bayard, Mayor
Wales, Gen. W. F. Smith and Ri Crozier.
Amusements Of various kinds were
INDUCED in by the crowds. The large
dancing Pavilion was crowded during
the entire afternoon. ALI the booths
were literally patronized.
In the evening the park was lighted up
by electric lamps until after midnight,
when the festivities were brought to an
end. Tomorrow, the last day Of the fest,
will be set apart for the children OF the
German school, who will indulge in
various games.
During the GOODNESS and rain Of Tues
day morning the Sohuetzen Park wore
rather deserted aspect, but when the
MONDAY sun came ont the people came
with 1t and there was good crowd
present during the latter portion OF the
afternoon. Excellent order and good
feeling prevailed; the visitors strolled
around looking at the sights, or sat in
the shade quatiing beer and smoking, or
resorted to the dancing pavilion and took
part in the merry wslts, as inolin alton
led them.
The chief attraction Of the afternoon
was the gympastio performance OF the
L.. 81 al AL I.a. aaft
Philadelphia Turn Gemeinde participated.
One Of the athletic Turner's did the giant
swing very neatly, ard the horizontal
bar evolutions Of two or three Of the party
were gracefully performed. Exercises on
the parallel bars and some running high
jumping followed.
Another feature Of the afternoon was
the shooting at the eagle. The target was
large wooden esgle with wreath in his
bsak aud arrows and olive branch fin his
claws. The shooting was done with cross
bows and short, metal.tipped arrows !;
two shots for quarter and two extra
shots free to any one knocking any
feathers from the bird. The prz, 70 were:
IS 10 the marksman shooting eff the besk
of the eagle; o. for shooting off the wreath /;
| % 80 for the arrows; q for the olive
branch; 81 so for each wing, and 81 for
the tail. When the contestants had fin
ished shooting Tuesday the proud bird
had lost both claws, about half his wing
and tail feathers and part OF his wreath.
Charles Yetter won the 90 SO prize and
Frederick W. Hsiss the % prize. The
wreath was damaged by one Of MIR. Heiss'
arrows, but the shot was not destructive
enough to entjtle him to the second prize.
The negro minstrels entertained the
visitors at intervals and the First Regi.
ment Band disooursed some good music.
Eli Crozier, with his suite Of furniture
his soldier boy and his strange pictures,
sat under large tree, to the great
mystification of the strangers present.