Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-20
QUITE ANTAGONISTIC.
The Turner Bund and the Temper
ance People at it on Sunday
PROHIBITION A ROCK TO SPLIT ON.
Various Meetings of Pros and Ants With
Lively Incidents.
TWO RIVAL GATHERINGS TOGETHER

The Turner's of the Pittsburg district of
the North American Turner Bund had
great raIly in the Birmingham Turner Hall
on tbe Southside yesterday. Fifteen
sociaties one from Pittsburg and Allegheny
and the others from adjacent towns were
represented and the session lasted the
whole day. During all the time the various
rooms in the hall were crowded with guests,
directly or Indirectly interested in the pro-
eeedings. The occasion of the gathering
was the meeting of the Turner'S of the dis
trict, which occurs once in two months.
Mr. Eggers, the Birmingham teacher Of
gymnastics and athletics, called the active
members of the district together at 10
o'clock A. M, and series of exercises were
gone through. Exhibitions on the hori-
zontal bars and the buck were rapidly gone
through, and an adjournment for lunch was
deemed advisable
AFTER THEIR EXERCISE.
In the afternoon marching and wand ex-
ercises were taken up with piano aecompa-
niment, and the exhibition was highly sat
isfactory to the large audience, to judge by
the frequent applause which rang through
the hall.
After the exercises were over chairs were
brought in, and then Mr.. Gottfried lhsen,
Chairman of the Committee on Spiritual
Development, addressed the assembly on
"The Platform of the North American
Gymnastic Union" In the platform OF
their constitution it says:
We, the members of the gymnastic societies
of the United States of America, propose by a
union. under the name The North Amerlc-
an Gymnastic Union" to aid each other m
rearing people strong in both body and mind.
We recognize in the dissemination OF culture
and the fostering of ethical and moral princi-
pies the only means of effecting thorough re-
form of social. religious and political life.
We strive for the development of the repub-
lie on a truly humane and republican basis.
We therefore oppose most decidedly every at
tempt to interfere with the liberty of con-
science and also all legislative encroachments
that are hostile to the perfection and develop
ment of our free institutions.
The Interpretation of these words, the
speaker understood, was, that the Turner
had to use his entire energy for the develop
ment of progress, of justice, Of freedom and
the enlightenment of the masses. Continu-
ing, he said:
A DEFINITION OF LIBERTY.
1t is the principle OF every true Turner to be
on the side of liberty in its broadeSt sense,
socially politically and religiously. To do this
it is necessary for all of us to be constantly,
and all Of us, at our posts and do our duty in
the interest of free Republic like the United
States. .
There is, for instance. the temperance move
msut. which has been called into existence by
hvpocritlcal theologians and hysterical old
maids until it has reached its climax in the
tyranny, Injustice, idiocy ana dishonor of pro-
hibition. Like the famous phalanX Of Epa-
minondas, YOU must oppose this movement
Ii is an imposition upon the principles of lib
prty and the rights of free citizens. Nobody
has the righ. to urge the introduction of law
10 prohibit man from prosecuting his legiu
mate. houesj business though it may be regu
lated, The question of temperance can never
he settled bIlaw. but by education. Show the
people by example the mistake of drunken
ness and they will reform. Let the drunkarC
he punished for his own crime and misde
meandr bat do not visit his faults and sins
unon the people who like to enjoy themselves
in thescircA Of their friends.
BE o. yot guard and parry this onslaught,
and p1sveTNsny further attempt at the same
game.
After the address several songs were rem
dered by the singing sections of the various
Turner societies.
About o'clock the Turner'S all adjourned
to a supper, which had been prepared by the
ladies of the Birmingham Turverein. After
supper large number of the members and
guests went across the street and attended
the evening service of Rev. Gustav Lerct
at the United Evangelical Church.