Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-13
A LIBERTY FESTIVAL.
How the Swiss Independence Day Will
Be Observed in Pittsburg.
THOUSANDS WILL PARTICIPATE.
Paraders Will Be Adorned in Ancient
Alpine Costumes.
A GIGANTIC PICNIC AT ROSS GROVE

The Swiss Independence Day is to be OBJ
served in an enthusiastic manner in this city
A meeting was held in Allegheny last night
by representatives of the various societies
that are to take part in the demonstration
for the purpose of making arrangements for
the days festivities, 1t was organized by
the election of A. Jenny as President; Ar
mold Schneider, Vice President; Julius Ros-
hard, Secretary; Dagobert Deucher. Treas
urer. The other members of the committee
are Blaser Gottfried, Alex Scburcb, Adolph
Luder, A. j. Simon, Robert Lenhart and
Chris Rathen.
The committee is composed entirely of the
descendants of those who 600 years ago
signed the document that bound together
the three Swiss cantons, thus forming an
independent union of beautiful and inter-
esting rock-ribbed and mountainous coun-
try. Allegheny county is full of these
people. 1t is estimated that 10000 Swiss
descendants are residents of this State.
And it is fully expected that from 1000 to
5000 of them will be identified with the
coming demonstration.
August is the day upon which the an
niversary of the signing of the Swiss
Declaration of Independence occurred, but
it is being observed generally throughout
the world during the whole of the present
month. The day fixed for the local demon
stration is August 81. The "Verein der
Soehne Winkelrieds," 'Schweizer Maen-
nerchor Helvetia," t'Schweitzer Bund,"
and the "Section des Observation-Disclosures
Gruetlibunds," are the four leading So
cieties that will participate in celebrating
the day that is so dear to all the descendants
of William Tell.
VISIONS FROM THE ALPS.
The numbers will be greatly augmented by
representatives from almost every German
singing society, all the turn vereins and
benevolent associations in Allegheny
county, together with other societies from
Johnstown, Wheeling, Braddock, McKees-
port and other points in Western Pennsyl-
vania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia.
The pTogrTnmme ann has only been been partially
on: There will be parade in the
morning over the principal streets of
Pitttsburg and Allegheny, many of the par
as the original Swiss wore, not too original,
perhaps, but of sufficiently modern time to
allow such garb to be donned with dignity
and security. After the parade, special
Penn road to Ross Grove. Here the festivi-
ties proper will be held. They
will consist principally of speeches
and sports. 1t will be large sized picnic,
ga la SUISSE" and the committee in charge
has undertaken to make the day one that
will make glad the hearts of those who par
ticipate.
Speeches will be made in German by Dago-
bert Deucher. Rev. U. Hangartner, Mr.. Max
Schamberg and others. Mayors Gourley and
Wyman will be invited and probably one or
Mr.. Deucher, who is to deliver the principal
address of the day, is full cousin of
present member of the Swiss Bundesrath or
Executive Cabinet.
The sports will be the most interesting
and novel features of the day. They will
consist of Swiss wrestling, stone-lifting and
stone-throwing and shooting. The latter
pastime will be INDUCED in by the use Of
William Tell is popularity supposed to have
poked hole in Gessler's hat and other feats
of more or less difficulty in those days
before people bothered themselves about
natural gas bills or high and low tariffs, will
be introduced.
SPORTS OF THE DARK AGES.
Anything else that can be found by the
committee bearing anything like the i'm
print of the land of Glaciers will be ferreted
out and made part of the days programme.
A number of the committee in speaking of
the demonstration last night said: "No peo-
Pile appreciate liberty like the American.
The Swiss have lasting reverence for the
day upon which the three small forest can
tons banded themselves into league of per-
petual alliance. 1t was no desire for
startling reform that lead those people
into the covenant. The Confederation was
formed simply for the purpose of checking
the inroads of their opponents. Switzer-
land is the oldest Republic, and many of her
are among the most prominent
of Allegheny county. You will be
surprised at seeing SO many participate in
the demonstration, which will undoubtedly
be one of the most novel celebrations that
ever. nccurred in Allenhenv county