Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-29


speech Mr.. Stillberg referred to the hall as
home where bodily instructions in con-
nection with an educational training serve
as a great benefit to the members
Chairman A. c. Bloedel, in receiving the
KEYS thanked the architect for the magnlh-
cent building which had been erected.
"This is indeed the Feste Burg Of the
Turner's" he said. "In the sense expressed
by Frederick Ludwig jain it is the plat
form of the North American Turner Bund.
May the impressions made by this demon
stration to-day be favorable one and serve
to perpetuate the German language, German
customs. German art and song"
The dedicGtorv song, "Weihe-Gruss, was
then sung, and the address of welcome was
delivered by DR.. Hermann Hechelmann.
DR.. Hechelmann reviewed the acts of the
Germans of this country since the
FIRST GERMAN COLONY
was established by Daniel Psstorius al
Germantown on October 6, 16SS- He said
it had been the intention to dedicate the
hall on the anniversary of that occasion, but
the building could not be made ready in
time. He referred to the actions of the Ger
man Turner's during the war, when the Al
legheny Turner's were among the first to take
up their arms and march against the rebels.
Speaking of the loyalty DISPLAYED and recog-
nized in the Germans, he recited poem de-
scriptive of the capture of man during the
war, supposed to be rebel spy.
The captive was taken before General
Garfield, to whom he gave proof of his iden-
tity as a German Turner, and was at once
released, General Garfield remarking that
no German Turner could be guilty OF
treason. Dr. Hechelmann closed by appeal
ing to the Germans as class to work for the
II ..,,1z of A HlNof
is, freedom in everything and to all, but not
10 secure it BY the law of anarchy.
After another selection was sung, Chair
man Bloedel read the following letter from
Mayor Pearson, who had been invited to
make an address:
MAYORS OFFICE, MUNICIPAL HALL,
ALLEGHENY, November q. 1859. s
Mr.. b. c. Bloedel ESQ.,:
DEAR SRI exceedingly regret that am
unable to be with you tomorrow afternoon, as
had counted much on taking part in the dedi-
catory proceedings of your elegant hall, but
this enjoyment has been denied me. as l have
been called to Indianapolis Ind.
l wish to offer to you and to your members
my hearty congratulations IN the erection and
completion of your magnificent hall, and sin
cerely hope that you al may live long to enjoy
the fruits of your labors.
As Mayor of the city of Allegheny, 1 wish to
extend to the visiting members and their
friends the freedom and hospitality of our city,
d
pleasant ana profitable one.
Hoping that everything may pass of in
manner to exceed your expectations, remain,
with best wishes, yours respectfully.
R. 7. PEARSON, Mayor.
ORATOR ELPHINsToNE'S ADDRESS.
City Solicitor George Elphinstone was
then introduced, and he delivered the fol-
lowing address:
MI. Chairman and Members of OftheAllegheny Turn
Vereins:
With great propriety you have chosen
THANKSGIVING Day as the time for the dedica-
tion of the beautiful hall.
by the liberality of German citizens it has
been erected; pooenix-like it has sprung from
the ashes of the former structure, larger, more
handsome and better equipped for its great
worthy purposes. Social intercourse and the
cultivation of musical talent, so Obstructive of
the German race, are commendable objects OF
your association. But the physical education
of the youth of our land is to my mind the most
noble object of the Turn Vereins.
''Great patriots in your Fatherland, realizing
that the best interests of the Government, so
ciety and individuals, demanded co-education
of body and mind perceived the passage of
laws making physical training part of the COM
mon school education, compulsory upon all
children; The gymnasium was attached to
every school house, and while the minds of the
children were being stored with knowledge,
their hodies were receiving that exercise and
training which added grace and vigor. The
Turn Vereins when the period of compulsory
education was ended. and the benefcient re-
suits are seen in the German manhood and
womanhood of to-day.
THE culture thus obtained exercised a DOW
erful influence for good in every walk and
station in hfe-it turned the tide of many bat
ties, and has left an impress on the history of
the world.
''It is the noble purpose of the Turn Vereins
to introduce and firmly establish in this coun-
try these wise customs and laws of your Father
Nnw.6 1h- loot ~ 1wrsaw- %rr1 r1nrT
dedicate this hall.
LEGISLATION ADVOCATED.
TT is high time that legislation should be had
providing for the addition of gymnasiums in
every school house, and requiring every scholar,
male and female, under proper instruction and
regulations to undergo q system of physical
training. The need Of the times, and the ne
cessities of the future demand strong men and
women; mind and body are united in such a
wonderful and intimate relation that the
health and beauty of the one is dependent up
on the grace and vigor of the other. The mod
ern tendency is to subject the mind TO a hot
house culture, to the utter neglect of the body.
Precocious weaklings cannot fulfill the de-
mands of our civilization.
"In this matter of physical culture there is
valuable food for thought in the customs of
the ancients. The eschOol:gymnasiums of Ger
many, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are at
once lesson and warning to the legislator
and the philanthropist.
This great nation will not fulfill its high
destiny If in the mad rush for wealth and tame
the physical health of the youth of the land is
neglected.
"The people must be aroused to the necessity
of legislation making physical training CON-
pulsory part of common school education.
I'm erecting tins building ana throwing the
doors open TO the school children, the German
citizens of the Allegheny Turn Vereins show
their loyalty to this. their new Fatherland-
ALLEGIANCE ALWAYS THE RULE.
From the foundation of this Government to
the present time the German people have
aIN avs displayed allegiance to our laws and de-
field ran German blood; in every cemetery lie
the German dead; every walk and station in
life bears evidence of German learning, culture
and skill.
s'rhe dedication of this beautiful hall to the
noble object of a vigorous American manhood,
is but fresh proof of your patriotism. Such de-
votion is in strict accord with the sublime SEN
timents of the almost inspired poet when he
1" Thou too, sail on. oh ship of State,
Sail on, oh Union, proud and great.
Humanity, with all its fears,
With all its hopes of future years.
Hangs breathless on thy fate.
Onr hearts, our hopes, are all with thee,
Our hearts, our hoDes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, are all with thee
DIR. HECHELMAN's POEM.
In the golden rays of freedom
Risen proudly has this hall
In the rooms pervades perfume
Floats the bannert-Red, White, Bluc!-
Stars and stripes are greetings waving
To the coming multitude,
And from heights of hoyery colors
Bursts a cordial "Welcome" forth.
II.
To the portals lofty pillars
Clear in soul and strong in arm
March these sons of Germany
Who defended home and farm.
German songs and German forces
Have united former breaches
And the chords of dedication echo
Fresh and Tree and strong and truer'