Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-07-23
BLAINE AND THE GERMANS.
His Dispatch of July 80, 1854, to the
American Minister at Berlin.

American Minister at Berlin.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON,
d. G. July 80, 81.-Su:-During the
darkest period of the Revolutionary War
a German soldier of character and dis
tinction rendered his sword in aid of
American independence. Frederick
William Augustus, Baron Steuben, Joined
Washington at Valley Forge, In the
memorial and disastrous winter of 1778.
He attested the sincerity of his attach
ment to the patriot cause by espousing it
when lis fortunes were adverse, its pros
poets gloomy, and its hopes, but for the
intense zeal of the people, we'll nigh
crushed.
The Baron Steuben was received by
Washington with the most cordial well
come, and Immediately placed on duty as
Inspector General Of the army. A de.
tailed history of his military career in
America would form an epitome of the
Revolutionary struggle. He had served
in the Seven Years War on the staff of
the great Frederick, and had acquired in
the campaigns of that master of military
science and skill and the experience SO
much needed by the unframed soldiers
of the Continental army. The drill and
discipline and effective organization,
which under the commanding patronage
of Washington were at once impaired to
the American army by the zeal and dill
gence of Steuben, transformed the vol
unteers and raw levies into veterans,
who successfully met the British regulars
in all the campaigns of that prolonged
struggle.
The final surrender of the British army
under Lord CORVALLIS occurred at York.
town, Va, the 10Th day of October 1871.
Baron Steuben bore most conspicuous
part in the arduous campaign which end.
ed so auspiciously for the Continental
army, and it fell to his lot to receive the
nrst official notification of the proposed
capitulation, and to bear it to the illus
trious Commander-in-C Chief.
The centennial of that great event in
American history is to be celebrated with
appropriate observances and ceremonies
on the approaching anniversary. I am
directed by the president to tender,
through you, an invitation to the repre-
sentatives of Baron Steubens family in
Germany to attend the celebration as
guests OF the Government of the United
States. You will communicate the invi.
tation through the Imperial Minister oe
Foreign Affairs, and will express to him
the very earnest desire of this Govern
ment that it shall be accepted.
Those who come as the representatives
/ of Baron Steuben's family will be assured
IN our day OF peace and prosperity of as
warm welcome as was given to their
illustrious kinsman in the dark days of
adversely and war. They will be the
honored guests of 50,00O,00 Americans,
vast number of whom have German
blood in their veins and constitute one of
the most worthy and valuable elements
that make up the strength of the repub-
lie. Intensely devoted with patriotic
fidelity to America, they yet retain and
cherish and transmit the most affectionate
memory of fatherland To these the
visit of Baron Steubens relatives will
have something of the revival of family
ties. while to all Americans of whatever
origin, the presence of German guests
will afford fitting opportunity of testify.
ing their respect for that great country
within whose imperial limits are included
so much of human grandeur and human
progress. | am, sir, etc,
JAMES G. BLAINE.