The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-12
CLEVELAND TO THE GERMANS.
The EI-PreSident Delivers an Grafton 10
The Young Men Of Buffalo.
THE GREAT LEADER WARKLY RECEIVED.
A MaAterly Grafton Upon the Current Issues
oftho Day-Good Advice Given-Full
Text Of the speech.

BuFTuo, " Y, MAY 11.-Tho fifth ami
eersary Of the German Young Mems Associa-
hon Of Buffalo was celebrated this evening
ia Music Hall An added interest was given
% this evenings celebration 10y the presence
of ex-President Cleveland, who had comein
response % an invitation 10 join his old
friends and fellow-citizens u their jubilee.
Promptly at 7:SO o'clock the committee es-
oortcd Mr. Cleveland To the Music Hall, where
his entrance was warmly applauded. The eX-
ercsses were almost entirely musical.
After the audience had rendered the cor
0natl0n march, Die FOlkunger. Mr.. Cleve-
land was introduced and deliyeryed the fol-
loving address:
Mr. CI.EvEIANp's ADDRESS.
MI President and Ladies and Gentlemen
7 am glad 20 meet here tonight 80 many old
friends and acquaintance, and 70 JON them
in the feIcitstons which have called US to-
gether AT this moment l recall with perfect
1Ividncss another evening nearly eight years
ago when 10 o beautiful building standing on
this spot and then just completed We lnaugu-
yated with songs and rejoicing grand
national Sangerfest. That was a proud day
for Buffalo. and a prOuder one still for our
German fellow-tOwnsmen, who then vel
coined as their guests q large and notable as
semblage from many States. representing
their national love of music and, at the same
time, were permitted 10 exhibit 10 their VS.
lt0rs, as monument OF the enterprise and
activity of the German Young Mems AssOcia-
ton, the grand and imposing Music Hall In
which their festival of song was held
The disaster which soon after overlook the
Association involving the destruction of their
splendid building. brought no discourage
ment 70 the members of the organization.
Tonight we meet in another and more mag
uihcent music ball built upon the ashes OF
the first 10 celebrate the close OF fifty years
iu the life OF an Association that exhibits to
every observer the courage and determine
uou which inevitably lead TO usefulness and
success.
shall not assume such familiarity with the
career Of the Association as would enable me
% present IN detail the results OF Its past
efforts. In any event 10 would lll become me
10 enter upon this field, IN view Of the fact
that the able and honorable gentleman now
al the head of the Association was also its
frs, president and has for fifty years watched
lts progress and been devoted % its interests.
Surely there has seldom been an organization
which numbered among its members no the
end of halt q century so competent chronl-
c.er ot .ts history and achievements
/ understand that among the prominent
purposes ot the German Young Mems Asso-
citation are the propagation and promotion of
knowledge of German literature, and the
cultivation and announcement of the best
elements Of German character.
So far as tle first of these objects is con-
Cerned hope may be permitted 10 say. that
While the efforts of the Association IN the di-
rcct0n mentioned are most praiseworthy
and patriotic, such an undertaking can
bv 10 means be monOpOEZed by
any association The value and inn
p0rt0nce of German literature is too
keenly appreciated TO be neglected in any
part OF the world where there are those who
seek 50 know the past trumphs OF science,
poetry. music and art, or where there are
those who strive 10 keep pace with their
present development and progress. 1t is not
too much 90 say that all nations which make
claim TO high civilization encourage the
study of German literature, and that the ex-
tent TO which this study is pursued by
people furnishes a standard OF their enhght-
enment
On behalf of the American people l am in
clned also 70 claim tonight that the German
character which the Association undertakes
70 cultivate is so interviewer with all the
growth and progress Of our country that we
have a right TO include IL among the factors
which make up sturdy and thrifty Ameri-
canlsm. With our early settlers came the
Germans They suited themselves 10 every
condition of Ou- new world Many of them
fought for American Independence and many
who IN the trade Of war came 10 fight against
u.s. afterwards settled on our soil and con-
tributed greatly 10 the hardihood and stub
born endurance which our young nation so
much needed.
As years were added to the new Republic
the tide of German immigration increased in
volume Those who thus came TO us brought
with them a love of liberty which readily as
simulated them 70 our institutions, and their
natural love of order made them good citizens.
By their love Of music and social enjoyments
they shed a bright light upon the solemn and
constant routine of American work while at
the same time they abundanty proved that
reasonable recreation was entirely consistent
with wholesome and conservative accumula-
ton. They were found in every part of our
land Among the pioneers of the far
West they struggled against discOuragements |
and hardshlps- ps-cOunteractng puYatiOn bv |
trJgality and never for a moment losing !
sight Of the better day promised by the future !
10 undaunted courage and persistent industry.
In our cities and towns they were found in the |
front ranks of successful business and trade: |
and 10y the choice of their fellow citizens they |
held public positions of trust and influence /
Everywhere they illustrated the value and the |
sure reward of economy and steady work
Thus. before the American nation had lived |
100 years, our German population had grown |
10 millions and constituted an important in !
gredlent ~ the mass OF American activity. |
Then there came time when the Govern /
ment OF the country Of their adoption was as /
saulted by rebelhOus hands, and then our |
German fellow-ciuzens had presented to them /
an opportunity 10 prove the depth and |
breadth of their attachment TO the land in
which they lived and wrought. and 10 exhibit
how completely they had become patriotic
American citizens. They allowed not a mo-
ment for uncertainty, but focked by thous-
ands % the standard of the Union and bravely
devoted themselves TO It's defense IN every
battle the German soldiers fought
with courage and persistence and died with
torutuue. This common baptism of blood /
and this partnership in peril brought closer
together every element Of our people and
made them all-mOre than ever and in
every sense-Americans This leads
me 20 say that any opposing claims TO owner
ship In the valuable traits Of German char
acter admit of a fair compromise. No one
w.ll begrudge the satisfaction to be derived
from analyzing these elements and establish
NJ their German origin; and all viii 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
mere exhibited. American. They have been
with us since our beginning; they have IN
nuenced every day OF our country's life they
are among the traits which our Government
was formed 10 foster, and they are essential TO
our countrys safety and prosperity.
hardly think there is any city in the land
That should appreciate the value of German
population better than BuhalO On every