The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-13
CHILDREN OF THE PUBLIC
The Celebration Yesterday of the Nineteenth
Anniversary of the German Orphan Asylum.

The sharp rain yesterday morning and the
clouds that threatened moro interfered with the
forenoons attendance at the anniversary exer-
cises of the German Orphan Asylum. From
like causes the procession was lessened, but
under the grand marshalship of w. F. A. Bern
hamer it was a creditable display, following the
line of march heretofore published. Between
and o'clock in the morning an excursion train
of twelve crowded cars arrived from Cincinnati.
Among these excursonists were the officers and
directors of the German Orphan Asylum of that
city There has always been a friendly inter
change between the officers and friends of
the Cincinnati and indianapolis asylums.
The officials of the latter have a
kindly remembrance of the valuable assistance
the friends of the former gave them nineteen
years ago, when they opened the asylum in this
city At that time an excursion from Cncin-
natl was arranged, bringing here several thou
sand people The proceeds were turned over to
the Indianapolis institution.
By noon yesterday there were not more than
three hundred on the asylum grounds, but when
a fine afternoon was assured the crowd began to
increase rapidly until five thousand gathered to
enjoy the music and speech making of the hour.
The morning was devoted to singing by the or
phans, instrumental music and sermon by the
Rev. Mr.. Kuester, who took for his text the first
three verses of the twenty first chapter of Reve-
latloDs and the thirteenth of the thirteenth
chapter of the First Corinthians. Following
this came n dinner prepared by the lady friends
of the institution. The visitors enjoyed the good
things thus bountifully spread The afternoon
exercises began with singing by the orphans,
followed by a congratulatory address from
Mayor Denny. He complimented the asylum
management upon its nineteen years of good
work, of which every citizen in Indianapolis
should feel proud At their annual gatherings
he had always been impressed by the great in
terest manifested by the members and friends of
the institution. Without criticiSng any other
institutions of like character he knew of mono
where so much self-sacrifcing interest is shown
by the people who are looked to for its support
as is exhibited here. It is the good counsel. the
encouraging words and the generous aid of those
outside that makes much of the history Of these
institutions. From his observations in years
past he believed the larger per cent of those
capable Of contributing to the support of local
charitable institutions gave aid and succor to
this asylum. The public institutions for the
of the unfortunate of every class usually ex-
coed their estimated allowances, no matter how
generous they are, and the institution supported
largely by membership fees and private dona-
tons, as this is, making both ends meet, may be
regarded as the noble exception. Such results
shown by the last report of this charity could not
have been accomplished by the exercise of any
ordinary interest.
He referred to the annual reunions as means
of doing much good for the institution, in spread
ing its fame, offering social enjoyment to its
friends, and largely aiding its receipts. They
illustrated in part the wonderful change
that bad taken place in the pub
lies charitable efforts. A generation
ago the county poor house contained the unfor-
tunate of all classes worthy and unworthy
alike, and not even an attempt was made to inn
prove their mental and moral condition. It was
a wretched existence leading to a wretched
death. To-day the State is filed with schools,
asylums, homes and hospitals with open doors
for the caro- and comfort of the unfortunate of
every kind.
George Reyer delivered an address in German,
warmly appealing to the charitable heart and
dwelling upon what the asylum had accom-
plished. The exercises came to a close with an
exhibition of gyrnnastic feats by the orphans I'M
der the direction of Prof. Pertuch.