Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-07-07
PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS.


S"'''''N '''''"
Rev. l.. NJ. llcilman in the course of
recent lecture ut Chicago on the sub
jcct 1.-The Pennsy lvania Germans" gave
nm historic and humorous account of
the quaint habits and customs of this
people century ago The Pcnnsylya-
mia Germans, said the lecturer, are an
American race. So far from being Ger
man foreigners they have in many in
stances parent of other than German
stock. They have absorbed and assimi-
lated ncighboring people of other ma
tons, Irish, English and French. They
are race reared on Pennsylvania soil
who have stood nloof from German I'M
migrants SO much that many of them
do not understand the pure German
language. Their tongue is Saxon, as
the English is in its main structure,
and has assimiatcd to itself many pure
IL English words and abbreviated most
Ct its German words so as to conform
with the language of busy America.
This German race sO-callcd, whose an
ccStors came over with William Penn,
has espouscd the cause of Amer can
freedom and the spirit of Americas in
; atoms; its tongue, CUSTOMS and
cha acteristics are felt all over the
nation; its people are well represented
On the scroll of honor inscribed with
the great names of the nations history;
and in every honorable rank of life the
race has made It's mark and welded a
large influence.
The lecturer went on to describe in
detail the old-timc life and habits of the
people; their daily pursuits in town and
country; their practical piety, their fasts
and festivals, their reverence of women,
their amusementS, publications., and
ideas of humor: their quaint language,
their superslitions, their legal and odu-
cational systems, their frugality and
untiring industry, their legends and
superstitions, their conservatism and cX-
clusivcneSs. their home life in all its
varied aspects, the decline Of their lans
guagc, and the gradual oblitcration OF
the distinctive character of the race.
al do not mean TO hcroiHr this class
of our citizens" said Mr.. Hcilman in
conclusion, "but they have been mis-
understood. Their example should be
of service to their sons. Stcadfastncss,
earnestncss, the value OF physical and
mental culture, tWthfulncss, and good
habits should be now, rs then, instllled
into the home and family. The sar-
pnstic stories OF 'saucrkraut and Spcck'
are unworthy of place by the side Of
the illustriouS examples of fidelity which
they have given to the nation. Even
their ways, SO odd to others, are the piles
that contain their worth. Those who
diSown their own blood are ignorant of
the royal blood that forsook noble title,
for the sake of right and principle.
They placed themselves in Il society and
under the wall, Of language that hid
them from notice Some chidiCh who
have spoken English when thcirparcnts
left carth's cares have Il right 10 forget
the old tongue, but not to forsakr the
old virtues, 1t is not meant that our
nation should he composed of separate,
distinct elements, but rather Of one pcO.
pie; we should judge our fcllow-men
Alright, aud remember the sturdy
character that helped to make the civil
and moral tower whose bulwarks of
protection we enjoy to-day, The char
ucter Of this race will always illumine
our historys page and those who fol.
low their hardy. sclf-rcliant example
will be worthy characters in society,
state and church"