, 1891-05-12
TALKS TO THE GERMANS
Celebration in Buffalo of the
Fiftieth anniversary
Of the German Young Mems
Association.
Mr.. Cleveland Makes an Flo
quent Speech
In Which He Givas Eood Advice In
In Which He Gives Good Advice to
German-Americans.

DNINHLps NAY IL ut bNlu
Young Mems Association celebrated its
fiftieth anniversary here tonight. The
principal event was the presence and
speech OF x-President Cleveland. 1t was
his first public appearance here in eight
years. He received an ovation when he
appeared on the platform and the enthusi.
asm Of the great audience was plainly
pleasing to him. Mr.. Cleveland, in his
speech, said:
Mr.. President and Ladies aud Gentle
men-l am glad TO meet here tonight 30
many old friends and acquaintances, and
to join them in the fluctuations which
have called us together. At this moment
| recall with perfect vividness another
evening nearly eight years ago. when 10 a
beautiful building standing on this spot
and then just completed, we inaugurated
with songs and rejoicing a grand national
sangerfest. That was a proud dav for
Buffalo and a prouder one still for our
German fellow tOwnsmen, who then vel
coined as their guests a large and notable
assemblage from many states representing
their national love of music aud at the
same time we're permitted TO exhibit to
their visitors, as a OF the en-
terprise and activity of the German
Young Mems Association, the grand and
imposing music hall in which their festival
OF song was held.
The disaster which 5000 after overlook
the association, involving the destruction
of their splendid building, brought no dis
couragement TO the members of the or
Ranization. Tonight we meet IN another
aud more magnificent music hall, built
upon the ashes OF the first, to celebrate
the close OF fifty years in the life of an as
ISOLATION that exhibits 10 every observer
the courage and determination which In
evitaSlY lead to usefulness and success.
| shall not assume such a familiarity
with the career of the association as would
enable me to present in detail the results
of ITS past efforts. In any event it would
i'll become me to enter upon this field, IN
view OF the fact that the able and honor
able gentleman now at the head of the as
ISOLATION was also its first president, and
has for fifty years watched its progress and
been devoted to its interests. Surely there
has seldom been an organization which
numbered among its members at the end
OF half a century so competent a chron-
icler of its history and achievements.
| understand that among the prominent
of the German Young Mems
association are the propagation and pro-
motion OF a knowledge of German litera-
ture and the cultivation and encourage
ment OF the best elements OF German
character.
So 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
p~raiseworthY and patriotic, such an I'M
dertakiug can by no means be monopo-
liZed by any association. The value and
importance of German literature is too
keenly appreciated to be neglected in any
part of the world where there are those
who 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 civil
iZation encourage the study of German
literature; and that the extent to which
this study Id pursued by a people, fur
uIshes a standard of their enlightenment.
On behalf of the American people, |
am inclined also to claim tonight that the
German character which the association
undertakes TO cultivate. is so interviewer
with all the growth and progress of our
country, that we have a right to include
it among the factors which make
up a sturdy and thrifty Americanisn.
With our early settlers came the Ger
mans. They suited themselves to every
condition OF our new world. Many of
them fought for American independence,
and many who in the trade of war. came
to fight against us, afterwards settled on
our soil, and contributed greatly to the
hardihood and stubborn endurance which
our young nation so much needed.
AS 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 a love of liberty
which readily assimilated them to oar in.
stitutioDs and their natural love of order
made them good citizens. By their love
of music and social eDjoyments, they shed
a bright light upon the solemn and con.
| slant routine of American work. while al
the same time they ~abundantly proved
hat reasonable recreation was entirely
consistent with wholesome and conserva'
tive accumulation. They we're found in
every part of our land. Among The
pioneers OF the far West, they struggled
against discouragements and hardships-
counteracting privatIon by irugality, and
never for a losing sight Of the
better day promised BY the future to un'
daunted courage and persistent industry.
In our cities and towns they we're found
in the front ranks of successful bushes,
and trade; and BY the choice of their tel