The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-05-12
CLEVELAND TALKS
At the German Young Mems
Association Celebration.
GERMANS IN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Part They Have Contributed to the
Material and Intellectual Growth of the
Country-After Dinner Speeches.

BUFFALO, May 1.-THE German Young
Mems association celebrated its fiitieth an
nlversary here tonight The principal
event was the presence and speech of ex-
President Cleveland, his first public ap-
pearance here in eight years. He received
al ovation when ne appeared on the plat
form, and the enthusiasm of the great
audience was plainly pleasing to him. Mr..
Cleveland in his speech said:
Mr.. President and Ladies and Gentlemen:
am glad to meet here tonight many old
friends and acquaintance ana to join them in
the fluctuations which have called US together.
AT THIS moment recall with perfect vlvldLesS
Enotner evening nearly eight years ago, when IN
uoeautltul building standing on this spot and
then Just completed, we inaugurated with songs
ana rejoicing grand national sangerfest. That
was proud day for Buffalo, and prouder one
still for our German fellow-townsmen, who
then welcomed as their guests, large and
notable assemblage from many states, repre-
sentlng their national love of music ana at the
same Time, were permitted TO exhibit TO their
visitors, as monument of the enterprise and
activity OF the German Young Mems asSocia-
non, 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 encouragement
10 the members of the organization. Tonight
We meet In another and more magnificent music
nail, built upon the ashes Of the first TO cele
brate the close of fifty years in the life of as
soclatIon, that exhibits to every observer the
courage and determination which inevitably
lead 10 usefulness and success.
shall not assume such familiarity with the
career OF the association as would enable me to
present IN detail the results of its past Efforts.
In any event ii would i'll become me TO enter
upon this field, in view of the fact that the able
ana honorable gentleman now at The head of
the association, was also its first president, and
has Tor fifty years watched its progress and
been devoted TO its interests. Surely there has
seldom been an organization, which numbered
among It's members at the end Of half a century.
so competent chronicler of its history aid
achievements.
understand that among the prominent pur-
poses OF the German Young Mems association,
are the propagation and promotion of a knowi
edge OF German literature, and the cultivation
and encouragement OF the best elements OF Ger
man character.
So far as the FIST OF these objects is concerned
hope may be permitted to say that while
the EFFORTS or the association in the direction
mentioned are most praiseworthy and patriC tic
such an undertaking can by do means re mono
poIlZed by any association. The value and i'm
Iortance of German literature Is too keenly ap-
preclated to be neglected in any part Of the
world where there are those who seek to know
the past triuuphs of scieRce, poetry. music and
art, or where there are those who strive TO keep
pace with their present development and pro-
gress. II is not too much 10 say that all ma
lions which make claim TO high civilization, en-
courage the study of German literature: and
that the extent TO which this study is pursued
by a people, furnishes standard of their en-
lightenment.
On behalf of the American people, L am in
cllnedi also TO claim tonight that the German
character which the association undertakes to
cultivate is so interviewer with all the growth
and progress ofour country that we have
right to include it among the factors which
make up a sturdy and thrifty 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 who in the trade
OF war, came 10 tight against us, afterwards
settled on our SOIL and contributed greatly TO
the har0ihood and stubborn endurance which
our young nation so much needed.
AS years were added to the new republic the
tide OF German immigration increased in vol
ume. Those who thus came to US. brought with
them love Of liberty which readily assimilated
Ihem TO 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 abundantly proved that reasonable
recreation was entirely consistent with whole
some and conservative accumulation. They
were found in every part OF our land. Among
the pioneers of the far west, they struggled
against discouragements and hardships-coun-
teractlng privation by frugaGty, and never for
q moment losing sight of The better day prom
Used by the future to undaunted courage and
persistent industry, In our cities and towns
they were found in the front ranks of success
ful business and trade: and by the choice of
OF trust ana influence. Everywhere they illus
1rated the value and the sure reward of econ
omy and steady work.
Thus before the American nation had lived
one hundred years, our German population had
grown TO millions, and constituted an import
ant ingredient in the mass Of American ACTIVITY
Then there came time when the government
OF the country OF their adoption was assaulted
by rebellious hands; and then our German fell
low citizens had presented to them an oppor-
1unity 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
1iocked by thousands to the standard of the
union and bravely devoted themselves to its
defense. In every battle the German soldiers
fought with courage and persistence and died
with fortitude. 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 to say that any op-
posing claims TO ownership in the valuable
traits of German character, admit of fair COM
promise. No one will begrudge the satisfaction
20 be derived from analyzing these elements
ana establishing their German origin; and all
will concede that the more they are cultivated
the more our country viii gain. But when all
this is done, let us call these traits. SO far as
they are here exhibited, American. They have
been with since our beginning; they have
influenced every day of our countrys life; they
are among the traits which our government was
formed TO foster, and they are essential TO our
country s safety and prosperity.
] hardly think there is any city in the land
that should appreciate the value of German
population better than Buffalo. On every side
within your limits, are seen the evidences Of the
THRIFT OF your German felow-townsmen and
monuments OF their industry and enterprise
NO one can dispute their contribution TO your
immense municipal growth, and you do We'll to
recognize 1t in the selection of these charged
with the administration OF your city govern
ment. Even now there STANDS at its head, per
forming his duties acceptaby to the entire
community one who has won his way to the
confidence OF his fellowcitizens. solely by the
German-American traits of honest, industry
and economy. / know that he will forgive me
for saying that when knew him first not many
years ago, ne was occupying an honorable but
very humble position and gave no symptom of
his present prominence. will not dispute the
right OF anyone to call him German but
claim the satisfaction of calling this old friend
of mine also first rate American.
In the light OF The suggestions L have made
IL is pleasant thing 10 learn the significant
fact that the German Young Mems association
is quite largely made up of those who have NO
title TO German parentage or origin
= ] cannot resist the temptation to introduce
here the thought that no such association can
exist and escape responsibility to our people
and our government. Wherever our countrv-
men are gathered together with the professed
purpose of mutual improvement or in further
ance OF any useful object, they ought to do some
thing Tor their country. Its welfare and pro-
gress depend so clearly upon what the people
are taught and what they think that patriotism
should pervade their every endeavor in the di-
rection OF mental or social Improvement. Our
government was made by the people; and by
the people it must be constantly watched and
maintained. Like every other mechanism it
requires guidance and care. Without this like
many another mechanism. il viii not only fail
10 do its work, but it may injure and wound
those who stand idly near We cannot afford
in the needless race for wealth nor in the alb
sorbing struggle for the promotion of selfish
ends, TO neglect for a day, our duty to our gov
eminent.
So, as the members of the German Young
Mems association contemplate the steadfasf
love Of country which belongs to the German
character, let them enforce the lesson that this
sentiment is absolutely essential 70 the