The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-07-05
gives them absolute freedom under law.
IN ,.InrI .taa-rIc,zl.,. lzuEAr

AHOtneE stamp upon the I6SJlFAl OF 1c0U
RS we'll as that OF 1891 showing the patri-
otto feelings Of our German speaking citi-
zens, is the fact that the First National
SHngerfest was held in Independence
Hall, in Philadelphia, in that old build
ing whose toliing bell first pealed forth
the independence of the people ahd the
fact that a new nation had been born.
There, among those patriotic scenes and
surrou ndings, among those hallowed
places OF the past. was held the First Ma
tional SBngerfest, and it's principal day
was the anniversary of tho battle of
Bunker Hill. There, amid the recollec-
lions of that day and the history of the
early struggles of this Republic. Hail
Columbia" was poured forth by Ger
man chorus. The veneration of the peo-
pie was embodied in the song of the "Star
Spangled Banner"
Today, in this fair city, in this patriotic
State, filled with glorious Revolutionary
memories, we have the Sixteenth Nation-
al Saengerfest, opening on the day which
among all the days of.the year, in this
land-stirs the heart of the American
people TO its highest pitch of patriotism
and enthusiasm. This festival opens
upon the Fourth of July, a day purely
and distinctively Americau--the day
when the Congress of the United States
proclaimed the independence of the peo-
pie from foreign rule. And this choice of
a day is but another proof, with these
surroundings of national emblems by
mighty chorus of German voices, OF the
love of our country and its institutions by
the great masses whom welcome here.
THE LOVE OF SONG.
The love of song has never weakened
the courRe or lessened the patriotism of
our German speaking fellow citizens
After the festival in Baltimore in 1859
preparations were being made upon q
grand scale for the festival of 1861. But
fhae nf Or IF
harbor. fired against a national fortress.
and woke the echoes of civil strife, and
the German signers Immediately abnn-
doned all thoughts of peaceful arts; the
voice of song was hushed and the
mighty voice OF war 90. resonnd-
man singers became American
soldiers. marching to the music of
The Union. All through that long period
the voice of song was hushed and it was
not until victory crowned our arms in
1866 that another festival was neld. Many
occasion. Many of them slept forever
upon battle fields in the South They had
given their lives for the country of their
adoption. and the patriotic influence of
the example they set helped to incarrate
grand patriotism of their lives and of
every nationality who had fallen by their
side
"A living evidence of your patriotism is
now before me--President Carl Lentz-
the echoes of whose words are still ring
ing in your ears-was chosen your Pre5i-
dent not merely because he was Ger
man and a singer, but because you
deemed it a proper tribute to this great
national day and proper evidence of
your patriotism that an old soldier
should be honored on this occasion.
There stands before you as President, as
singer, as German, Major Carl Lentz,
whose empty sleeve hanging by his side
recalls the Valley of the Shenandoah.
Sheridan and Custer. and the battle OF
Cedar Creek, whore your President lost
his arm in the service of his country.
A GLORIOUS EPOCH.
Now, with a united country, when
every portion of it enthusiastically glor-
les In its union and its greatness again
the sound OF song sweils throughout the
land-year after year the Saengerbund has
grown, Its numbers have increased, and
its influence 10 tall through the coun-
try.
This festival OF song had Is inspiration
in that love Of harmony whose divine
origin reaches back to the dawn of crea-
tion when the morning stars sang to-
gether.
Music mus div origin. In the
holy teachings relig Al the grandest
enjoyment or redeemed souls is to stand
in the presence of the everything God and
chant to him his praises in grand aud
swelling chorus.
Divine Intelligence must be one of the
highest and most refining enjoyments of
humanity.
And you. singers, it's ministers, giving
grand expression to this divine art. l well
come upon this great festival. assuring
you that the hearts of our people go out
TO you. and that their every exertion will
t.faf RI, mn uf.u 1frso No r,io
so that you shall carry away with you
from New Jerrey happy recollections OF
the hospitality of Its people.
Welcome. thrice welcome to the State
of New Jersey.
Mayor Joseph Haynes Of Newark fol-
magistrate of the city welcomed the
singers to Newark.
THE CONCERT OPENS.
At the conclusion of the speach making
the Governor retired TO a box opposite the
stage and there in company with
Speaker Bergen, Senator Barrett of Es-
sex. State Treasurer Gray, George A.
HulseE. Assemblyman Thomas Smith
and other State officials listened TO the
reception concert rendered by the United
Singers of Newark to the visiting So
cieties.
The concert was under the leadership
Of Johannes Werschinger, second
OIlclai leader OF the Ie5l
The chorus sang "a song of
Welcome, by E. Fromme; "The Stiffness
OF the Morning." by G. Isenmann;
"Alone," by A. Braun. and Free
dom of Nations by C. Attenhofer.
The orchestra played the overture
to Won Weber's "Freischutz;' Frau Ida
Klein nler sang Elizabeth's aria from
"Fannhauser," and Herr William Bar
tells sang Schumann's "Wanderers' Song"
At the close of the concert the bronze
bust or Schubert. which Is to be the first
singing prize, aud which now stands on
a temporary pedestal facing the entrance,
was unveiled.
THE EVENING CELEBRATION.
There was a popular orchestra concert
in the evening under the leadership of
Mr. Frank Van der Stucken, the first
leader Of the fest. It was listened to by a
large and critical audience, which showed
its appreciation of the music in frequent
encores. The programme was
made up of selections from
the compositions of Herold, Beethoven.
Rietzel. Gillet Svendsen, Nicola, Gou
nod, Massenet, Strauss and Spicher.
No sooner were the gates TO the Park
thrown open this morning than crowds
began to pour through.
There was much to see and everyone
wanted to see it all. The park was laid
out into streets, which were named after
the leading musicians. White tents lined
these streets and were decorated with