Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-07


No, once or twice In our fair island story
The path Of duty was the way to glory.
Tins did Tyndall parallel the English
hearts of oak and the Germans In their APP
nreciation of that noblest word in any Ian
guage-" Duly"
MUSIC, ART. LITERATURE.
Rut we must turn from crim-visaged
war to more pleasing and agreeable sub
iects. The Germans, ever noted for music
and fine arts, have not neglected these in
their adopted home. The poetic and mu-
steal veins nave run through the German
Tsfure ever since the dawn of Teutonic
history. Tacitus mentions that the Ger
mans of his time had ancient songs relating
10 the god Tuisco. his son Mannus. and the
tbree forefathers of the Teutonic rece. The
Greatness of the war-god, whom Tacitus
Identified with Hercules. was celebrated in
n war-song called Barditus.n and there is
reason 10 believe that the Nibelungenlied
In come Of its features belongs to the pre-
historic age. q,
And what is the present German school
Of music-the music that has developed
the highest cOnsumation of artistic vo-
calization and Instrumentation and inter
nretation OF nature-the music that Click
would saw draws blood What but natu-
raj evolution through Click and Wagner
and others from the ancient songs and
noetry of the fierce blue-eyed Germansy
What but the refinement of the poetical
and musical veins that can never be eradi-
Gated from the German, no matter where
his lot is cast? Can It not be Justly claimed
that TO no class does our country and even
our fair city owe more In the matter Of
cultiyating the musical sense than TO the
Germans?
And i'm painting and sculpture Germany
has been no less a teacher and inspireT
than she has been in music. To be assured
of this you have only 20 recall among the
painters Meister Wilhelm, Albrecht Darer,
Michael Wolhgemuth, Martin SchOn, era
mach. Holbein, Schadow, Neit, and Others,
and trace the influence Of their STYLES upon
the canyases OF to-day. Among the sculptors
from the galaxy composed Of those who
have made the marble breathe will occur
to YOU such names rs Schluter, Bonner,
Rauch, Dannaker, Reitschel Kiss (the
master of the distinguished Virginia
sculptor, Valentine). and Schllling. The
field of literature, speaking in the most
comprehensive sense, is studded with bril-
liant German names. and German contri-
buttons TO religion, history, science, phi
losophy, romance, and what not are almost
innumerable.
Is not this record one Of which every
German-American should be proud, not
only because German blood courses
through his being, but because It is recOg-
nized in every enlightened community IN
the Union that thread Of German cul-
ture is woven in the warp and wOOf of the
higher civilization of American Is not the
record one that should excite a thirst IN
the younger generation 10 drink deeper OF
the fountains of music, literature, and
- % 10 l,.f H,.sftt, 1sa1l - n
stimulating the aesthetic and intellectual
advancement of our common country, and
thereby placing il upon the highest plane
of social refinement and moral percep-
ton
Among other privileges of this great and
enlightened country with its free institu-
tions and glorious principles is the night
guaranteed to every American citizen,
whether born in Germany or III any other
foreign cline. 10 aspire 10 any position OF
honor. trust, or emolument within the GIFT
of the people. except that of President, and
their sons born upon American soil can as
pire 20 that high and exalted position
though they be humble III birth, with Nc
touch of royalty in their veins. Let Us
take Carl SchurZ. Born on the banks OF the
Rhine. fleeing TO this country in 1913. tax.
inc an active part in the civil war, raised
TO the rank of major@eneral, then
IGNORED by his adopted State OF Missouri
with q seat IN the United States Senate,
representing il with wisdom and ability by
his wise craftsmanship and conservative
views, attracting the attention of the whole
people. and finally called 70 a seat In the
Cabinet by President Hayes and IN
every position, whether as orator, soldier,
or statesman, rejecting honor on the Ger
man race. We find that a Holman
- 80 Ha TOT "a
New York, while Gustav Koener has oc-
cupied the gubernatorial chair Of Illinois.
We have been represented abroad IN &c.
credited Ministers Plenipotentlary by
Oscar Straus, of New York, and are now
represented by Soloman Hirsch, of Ore
pon. aud Simeon Wolf has served this
Government as Consul-General in Egypt
StorkloT at Bremen, Eckstlne at Am
sterdam, and others OF German birth
or descent are representing this eoun,,
try as Consuls IN the principal
cities Of the world, while a Muhlenberg
| has graced the Speakers chair of the House
of Representatives of the United States
and in nearly every Congress representa-
tive Germans have occupied seats in that
BODY. Some have graced the judicial er
mlne and in fact in nearly every State OF
the Union we find them occupying posi-
tons of honor and trust.
BUSINESS.
But, my friends, it is not in the field oil
politics that they have achieved then
greatest triumphs, for as a rule they d.
not seek political honors but if We tax,
any department of business, whether mer-
camille or mechanical or manufacturing
they take a leading and active part.
A short time ago | stood upon tho deck
of n steamer in the harbOr of New York
where | gazed at the magnificent pano
rama before me. Ships and steamers were
| flying the flag Of every nation and mailing
| from nearly every part of the civilized
globe. ferry-boats were plying from shore
10 shore filed to the waters edge with
living freight, the smoke from thousand
manufacturing establishments was curling
| upward, magnificent buildings were tower.
| ING towards the skies. and above all the
great Brooklyn bridge spanned the river
from shore to shore. Methought what
would the ancient knickerbockers say
if they were TO rise from the
dead and behold this magnificent
city now standing upon the place
which over two hundred years ago was q
barren island. 1t is hard to real
ize what energy, pluck, and intel.
| ligence have done IN SO short time
/ passed over that magnificent structure
winch lS tlt WOUutF Oh lllt HlutLttutl
century, and viewed with admiration
and delight its immense piers and its coils
of wires capable of bearing any weight
which could be placed upon it, and won
dered that human genius could have
erected structure 50 grand. II
made my heart swell with pride
TO think and to know that it was
the master genius of the Roeblings
father and son. who planned this work
and set IT into execution, and while they
did not live to see il completed 1t there
stands monument to German genius and
German skill. One cannot pass through
New York city without being struck with
the names on the signs. If we 60 among the
importers we find the business controlled
by COMMUNICATIONS III every branch
Of trade: if we go among the manufacto-
ries. whether it be of lager-beer or pianos
we find them in control of the Germans: il
we go among the photographers we find
that the largest establishments are in the
hands of German-Americans; if we go 70
the workshops in any mechanical trade we
find intelligent German artisans. If per
chance we would wish to see drawings and
architectural designs we are met with the
same result: If we 90 among professional
men we find whether in law. in medicine
or physics they have their representatives
if we would 60 among those who have
contributed their wealth IN the establish
ment of libraries or in the building up OF