The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-07

trade in Richmond. VI. Asst, Prilssian,
established the first insurance company In
the state. The tobacco trade used TO be
mainly carried on by merchants IRON
Bremen. The wholesale and retail trade OF
dress goods is almost the monopoly OF the
German israeitic fellow citizens. And
William Hotopp, in Charlottesville, deserves
credit for having given start to the Guilt
walton of wine and its manufacture on
large scale.
CONVINIAL SPIRIT.
In conclusion, | will refer to another
merit Of the Germans Of Virginia which is
less conspicuous. but which eNerts an eX-
ceedingly beneficial influence: Ii IL the
sensible and cOnyiyial spirit with which
they enjoy their life. In the manner in
which we celebrate historical events and
lay the foundation fol popular festivals
there is a peculiar charm; but above all, Is
the German Christmas tree, which sheds
its bright and poetic lustre upon German
family life. / will mention further the
poetic tendency Of German song and Ger
man music, which touches the heart and
which take Of the sharp edges of the
American everyday life.
Their mild and beneficial influences have
added much 10 the harmonious relations be-
tween the AnglO-SaXOn and German set
tiers of Virginia. May love and mutual
esteem continue to unite the two so nearly
related races, and may they assist to change
our much-tried and beloved State into a
Dorado Of liberty, humanity, and bliss.
We all are Americans, and we wish 10 De
nothing but Americans, but as every child
has the natural tendency 10 love It's mother,
ard TO listen to her voice. thus every citizen
i'm free country has a right TO keep sacred
his attachment to his ancestors and his
mother tongue.
THE LANGUAGE.
To implast into the hearts Of our sons
and daughters the feelings Of love and pride
as well for the land of their birth and an
cestOrs, we are in need Of the German
language, the language Of Goethe, Schiller,
and Lessing. The language which at the
present time takes the first place in the
vast territory of science and research;
which is spoken in this grand republic by
12.OO0,O0O Of peoplc--thIs language il ill.,
disDensable for the proper education of our
youth and the family life is as essential TO
the State to which we belong as the English
language is for the intercourse Of our ma
tiOnal life.
Therefore the request is justified that
everywhere i'm the State where the German
population forms large percentage, Ger
mans should be taught i'm all the grades oil
public schools, ana That the foundation Oh
German private schools should find more
voluntary help among irginians.
WENT NORTHWEST.
In the last few decades ideal and espe-
cially German endeavOrs met with little
success. The reaction of the war rested
with oppressive weight upon everything,
and the immigration societies gave prefer
ence to the ireeless prairies of the starry
Northwest TO the sunny South but n change
for the better has come, indeed. The pOpu-
lation of the state is growing, and with II
it's wealth The spirit Of enterprise Is
active on all fields, on all fields Of indus
try. The cities are growing, and new
ones are being founded, and the German
spirit lifts again its soaring wings. Pub
lic-spirittd men have established in the
neighbOring city of Petersburg German
society for the support of German immigra-
ton, and our tO-day's festival shows that IN
Richmond, not only those whose hair have
been bleached by age, love German ways
and German song, but-and that is Of most
importance-also the young generation, on
whose shoulders rests the future, look with
love and pride TO this German descent. 60
may il remain for the welfare Of Old Viz
gnia.
Let us always remember the words OF the
pioneer PastOrius: "FOllOw our example,
and then his greeting will refer to you also
'Ilail thee, German descendants; hail thee
ioreyer.'