The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-07-05
SAENGERFEST OPENED.
Newark Thronged With Mu-
slcianS and Lovers
Of the Art Di-
vine.
GOV. ABBETT's ADDRESS.
He Welcomes the Guests to the
State in Fitting Words-The
Concerts and the Aud
itors Described.
GOV. ABBETT's ADDRESS.
THE CITY IN GALA ATTIRE.

NdHonat oaengerIest or the German
Singing Societies was formerly opened
here this afternoon in Caledonia
Park. AT three o'clock the vast
pavilion was crowded when President
Lentz, Of the Newark Societies, arose to
welcome the singers from ali OYER the
country to the city of Newark in behalf
of the Newark singers.
Streamers of red, white and blue gauze,
plentlfully sprinBled with gold and sill
yer stars, hung in graceful festoons from
the centre Of the ceiling to the side wa lis,
while the American flag, inteyspersed
with banners bearing portraits of revoiu-
tionary heroes. hung upon the walls In
attractive designs.
Almost half Of the hall was occupied
~ the platform upon which were
grouped the large orchestra and the
United Singers OF Newark. Mr.. Lentz
PECAN ~ speaking Of the vast amount Of
labor It had required to bring about
the success OF the FESTIVAL.
He said that Newark was proud
to have been selected as the place for
holding the fest. 1t was the anniversary
OF the Nation. he continued, and also the
anniversary Of the first singing festival
held IN this country, which took place
in 1851 in Independence Hall, Phil
adelpnia. Mr.. LEM then alluded
to the loyalty Of the German
Americans to the National sGoyernment.
and said that he felt sure chat it would
be an occasion of great honor. not only to
the Singing Societies themselves but to
their Fatheriand and to the country of
their adoption
Mr.. Lentz then introduced Governor
Albeit, who was received with great en-
thusiasm. The ladies waved their hand
kerchiets, the men threw up their hats
and cried ~Hurrahf' until they were
hoarse.
THE GovERNoR's SPEECH.
When the enthusiasm had finally died
away the Governor said:-
Officers and Members OF the Societies
Of the different States, present at this
National SRngerfest-
IL is my privilege as Governor of New
Jersey, to welcome you to this State on
behalf of her peoDle.
snail not attempt to speak for the city
of Newark. Ishall leave that pleasant
duty to its patriotic and public spirited
Mayor.
Ii is, gratifying 20 our people that one
of the tair cities Of their State has been
selected for the Sixteenth National
ERngeffest.
nee these festivals were first founded
upon a national basis Ia 1850 three States
and four cities have been honored by
State has been chosen for such a splendid
festival OF musical art, and that selection
is made the more pleasant because we
jave fair reason to believe that the choice
was made at the National Festival in Bal
timore in 1888 on account of the great
proficiency attained within the past few
years by the German Singing Societies of
our State, which was recognized at that
Festival by the prizes awarded to German
singers from New Jersey.
Il is the wish. not only of our German
speaking population, but of all the good
citizens of this Commonwealth. that this
occasion may be one of the grandest, Ii
not the greatest, in the history Of these
splendid Festivals.
TRIBUTE TO THE GERMANS.
The German speaking popul ition OF
Europe have contributed to this country
macy things which have helped it in the
great struggle for supremacy among the
nations of the earth. We are indebted
TO them for contributions to literature.
art and science-for the exhibition of
those noble sentiments of the heart, which
are embodied In love Of wife. children
and home-for the industry and energy.
which have helped TO build up q conti-
nent-for obedience to law and their
earuest efforts TO sustain good govern
ment and honest administration OF pub
lie affairs--for their military courage and
discipline, which gave US thousands Of
&JTQ0Q
In the great struggle for y united coun-
try. Among the sweetest contributions
which they have made to the people
sof this land-whose home is now
their home--is the love Of music,
whether it swells in the grand vol
ume of sound that peals from the
organ or orchestra, or whether IL Is en-
bodied in the grand chorus OF song lifted
heaveuWard BY thousands Of voices. 1t is
contribution which brings innocent
pleasure to the home, which elevates and
refines great public occasions. Inere IS
in it no alloy Of evil, or aught tnau can IN
tluce fair or honest criticism. The great
German race. that has brought with its
millions across tine ocean its love OF song
and Is now making 1t national, should DO
welcomed at all the festivals dedicated TO
this nrt, not only by those Oh their own
nationality. but by all the people OF our
land. can say for New Jersey that all
her people. without distinction OF race,
give the great representatives OF art pres
eut 1t this festival their most cordial and
heartfelt welcome, and tnelr WISH tnaC
the magnificent success OF their celebra =
ton may be only one of the many that W .
shall witness in the coming year.
THE FEATURE OF THE OCCASION
There is a feature of this the sixteenth
Nj tional festival as there was in the hrs t
National festival, that held in Phlladel-
phia in 1850, which to me is especially
gratifying, and Wulch Vi uot w IL % Auiil
unprecedented and remembered. IL is THAI
That while this is essentially German
festival. yet it is recognized everywhere
that IL is q festival of Germans who are
American citizens--that It is Germ an
festival Of song in free land, and that
the great mass of those here present are
citizens Of that land Love OF song and
the traditions OF Fatheriand do not lessen
the patriotic inspiration OF the muitltudes
before me, with the stars and stripes
floating conspicuously everywhere as
they are today.
It is German song, but German song IN
the United States. BIZ citizens Of THIS
great country--and the great national
anthems, Hail Columbia" and the star
Span0led Banner'' which awake the
American people to patriotic recollec-
lions, will be sung BY a mighty chorus.
grown as Il has from 800 in 1850 to 1000 In
1881. and as this mighty volume Of mel
ody swells afoat, away into the skies.
amid the waving Of the flag Of this
country, II must surely satisfy all meI'
that the Germans in their love OF song
and traditions and customs Of their ma
f1ve land never forget the great and
yulehtY advantages of the land which
.