The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-07
FIRST GERMAN COLONY.
Wither's Poem, "The Pennsylvania
Pilgrim"

In his poem "The Pennsylvania Pilgrim
Whittier draws captivating picture Of the
German colony which gave it, name to
Germantown, near Philadelphia. where il
settled in 1858. The pilgrims who landed
on the 9Th Of October of that year were the
pioneers OF the German immigration which
has followed. Hence the adoption Of Oct0-
ber as German-A american Day. Francis
Daniel PastOrius. the leader Of the colony,
had preceded it, and he may therefore be
regarded rs the first German cOlonist. In
tile pi eface to "fhe Pennsylvania Pilgrim
Whittier. who makes Past0rius the central
figure of his pOem gives the following
translation OF verses in Latin by Pastorlus,
which seem prophetic:
Hail To postertyl
Hail, future men of GermanupOlls.
Let the young generations yet 10 be
Look kindly upon this.
Think how your fathers left their native
land
Dear Germanland o. sacred hearths
and homes!
And where the Wild beast rOams
I'm patience planned,
New forest homes beyond the mighty
sea,
There undslurbed and free
10 live ~ brothers Of one family
What pains and cares heel.
what trials and what feals,
Remember, and wherein we have done well
Follow our footsteps. men OF coming ycars,l
Where we have failed 10 do
Alright. or wisely i've,
BE warned by Us, the better way pursue,
And, knowing, we are human, even as you
Pity us and forgive!
Farewell, pOSterityi
Farewell, dear Germany.
FOreyermOre, farewell!
In "The Pennsylvania Pilgrim" Whittier
gives the following description OF Pastorius
and the serene and wholesome life OF the
settlement at Germantown:
SO. with his rustic neishbors sitting down,
The homespun frOclI beside the scholars
gown.
Psstorius 10 the manners OF the town
Added the freedom Of the woods, ant sought
The bOokless wisdom by experience taught,
And learn 10 love his new found home,
while not
Forgetful Of the Old; the seasons went
Their rounds. and somewhat 10 his spirit lent
OF their own calm and measureless content.
Glad even to tears he heard the robin sing
His song OF welcome 10 tho Western spring.
And the blue bird borrowing from the sky
his wing.
And when the miracle of autumn came,
And all the woods with many colored flame
or splendor, making summers greenness
tame,
Burned unconsumed, a voice without sound
spoke TO him from each kindled bush
arOuaA.
And made the strange, new landscape holy
grOund!
| Was il caressing air the broOding love
| offender skies than German land knew OF,
Green calm below. blue quietness above,
/ still flow OF water, deep repOse OF wood.
That with "A sense OF loving Fatherhood,
] And chililike trust in the Eternal Good.
Softened all hearts, and dulled the edge OF
hate,
flushed strife, and taught impatient zeal "a
walt
The slow assurance Of the better state'
Who knows what goadings in their sterneI
way
DER tagged lee, relieved by granite gray,
Blew round the men OF Mass achusetts Day3
What hate OF heresy the east wind woke
What hints OF pitiless power and torroi
spoke
In waves that on their iron coast line broke
| Be IL as it may: within the land OF Penn
| The sectary yielded 10 the citizen,
/ And peaceful dwelt the many-creeded men