Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-14
Semi Centennial of the German Young
Mems Association in
Buffalo.
Fitting Tribute to German Litera
ture and an Elaboration to
Practical Patriotism.
Later in the Evening the Ex-President
INDUCES in Some Happy
"reminiscences.

BUFFALO, May 1.-THE German Young
Mems association celebrated its fifteenth
anniversary here tonight. The principal
event was the presence and speech of ex-
President Cleveland.
1t was his first public appearance here
in eight years. He received an ovation
when be appeared on the platform and
the enthusiasm of the great audience was
plainly pleasing to him. Mr.. Cleveland
In his speech said:
~ understand that among the promi-
nent purposes of the German Young Mems
association, are the propagation and pro-
motion of knowledge of German litera-
ment of the best elements of German
character.
80 far as the first of these objects is
concerned, hope | may be permitted to
say, that while the efforts of the associa-
ton in the direction mentioned are most
praiseworthy and patriotic, such an under
taking can by 10 means be monopolized
by any association. The value and i'm
portance of German literature is too keen
" appreciated to be neglected in any part
VI uuc "DCAC UlClS c1C thOoC WIZ
seek to know the past triumphs of
science, poetry, music and art, or where
there are those who strive to keep pace
with their present development and pro-
gress. 1t is not too much to say that all
nations which make claim to high civiliza-
ton, encourage the study of German liter
ature; and that the extent to which this
study is pursued by a people. furnishes a
standard to their enlightenment.
'On behalf of the American people, L
am inclined also to claim tonight that the
German character which the association
undertakes to cultivate, is so interviewer
with all the growth and pro-
gress of our country, that we
have a right to include it among
the factors which make up a sturdy and
tLriftY Americanism. With our early
settlers came the Germans. They suited
themselves to every condition of our new
world. Many of them fought for Amer
lean independence, and many vino in the
trade of war, came to fight against US,
afterwards settled on our soil and con-
tributed greatly to the hardihood and
stubborn endurance which our young ma
tion so much needed.
GAS years were added to the new repub-
lie, the tide OF German immigration in.
creased in volume. Those who thus came
to US brought with them love of liberty
which readily assimilated them to our in
situations and their natural love of order
made them good citizens. By their love
of music and social enjoyments, they shed
bright light upon the solemn and con-
slant routine of American work,
while at the same time they album
dainty proved that reasonable recreation
was entirely consistent with wholesome
and conservative accumulation. They
were found in every part of our land.
Among the pioneers of he far west they
struggled against acknowledgements and
hardships-couuteracting privation by
frugality, and never for moment losing
sight of the better day promised by the
future to undaunted courage and persistent
industry. In our cities and towns they
were found in the front ranks of success
full business and trade; and by the choice
of their fellow citizens they held public
positions of trust and influence. Every
where they illustrated the value and the
sure reward of economy and steady work.
"Thus before the American nation had
lived one hundred years, our German pop
ulation had grown to millions, and consti-
tuted an important ingredient in the mass
of American activity. Then there came a
time when the government of the country
OF their adoption was assaulted by rebel
lious hands; and then our German fellow
citizens had presented to them an oppor-
tunity to prove the depth and breadth of
their attachment to the land in which
they lived and wrought, and to exhibit
how completely they had become patriotic
American citizens. They allowed not
a moment for uncertainty but focked by
thousands to the standard of the union
and bravely devoted themselves to its de-
Tense. In every battle the German soldiers
fought with courage and persistence and
died with fortitude. This common bap-
tism of blood and this partnership in
peril brought closer together every ele-
ment of our people and made them all
more than ever and In every sense--Amer-
leans. This leads me to say that any op-
posing claims to ownership in the valuable
traits of German character admit of fair
compromise. No one will begrudge
the satisfaction to be derived from analyz-
ing these elements and establishing their
German origin; and all will concede that
the more they are cultivated the more our
country will gain. But when all this is
done, let us call these traits, so far as they
are here exhibited, American. They have
been with US since our beginning; they
have influenced every day of our country's
life; they are among the traits which our
government was formed to foster, and
they are essential to our country's safety
and prosperity.
Il cannot resist the temptation to intro
6r,no boro fpa tbO,,rht +1o@
citation can exist, and escape a response
billy to our home and our government.
Wherever our countrymen are gathered
together with the professed purpose of
mutual improvement or in furtherance of
any useful object. they ought to do some
thing for their country. It's welfare and
progress depend so clearly upon what the
people are taught and what they
think that patriotism should pervade
their every endeavor in the
direction of mental or social i'm
Our government was
made by the people; and by the people it
must be constantly watched and main.
tanned. Like every other mechanism it |
requires guidance and care. Without |
this, like many another mechanism, it will /
not o1ly fail to do its work. but it may in |
jure and wound those who stand idly near. |
We cannot afford in the needless race for
wealth, nor in the absorbing struggle for
the promotion of selfish ends, to neglect
for a day. our duty to our government.
So as the members of the German
Young Mems association contemplate the
steadfast .ove Of country which belongs to |
the German character. let them enforce
The lesson that this sentiment is absolutely |
to the strength and vigor of |
American institutions. If they find that
derman industry and frugality lead to
latInnpl hanriueSs ard comfort LET than