The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-11-01
At LUTHER'S GRAVE.
The German Emperor Adds to His
List Of Speeches.
A CELEBRATION WHICH DOES NOT
PLEASE ALL HIS SUBJECTS.

1t Commemorated the Restoration of the
Quaint Old Town Made Famous by
Luther and the Reformation Was Gay
With Pageants in Honor of the Event
"A Health from Luther's Loving Cup.
WTrTENBERG, October 31.-This old
town of pointed gables, quaint towers
and narrow streets today presented
unique aspect. Everywhere bright BAN
ners and floral festoons were seen and
the whole town bore holiday appear
ance. A great pavilion had been built
in front of the Schloskirche doors where
the Emperor received the keys of the ed
ifiee. This church was commenced in
1439 and finished in 1499. In 1760it was
seriously injured by bombardment, and
it suffered in the same manner in 1918
and 1914. 1t was first restored in 1914
1917, and has now, owing to Emperor
Williams generosity, been again re-
stored. Under brazen slab in the Sch
loskirche lie the remains of Luther.
From Luther's house the Emperor and
his party reviewed gorgeous historical
procession, composed of nineteen groups
illustrating the foundation and develop
ment of Wittenberg and the foundation
of the Schloskirche. The imperial par
ty, when the pageant was concluded, pro-
ceeded to the refectory where banquet
awaited them. There were two hundred
and twenty guests. The Duke of York
represented Queen Victoria.
At the conclusion of the banquet En-
peror William delivered speech in
which he said: 9sThe thought of restor-
ing the Schloskirche, the scene of the
first act of the Reformation. struck a
chord in the hearts of my forefathers.
After my grandfather had prepared the
MEANS my lamented father took up the
scheme with all the warmth of his deep
feeling. 1t was not Gods will that my
father should behold the finished work,
but grateful posterity will never forget
that his name is inseDarably connected
with this memorial of the Reformation.
The Emperor thanked the German
princes and Protestant sovereigns of Eu-
rope for taking part in the festival. He
concluded by raising the cup that Wit
tenberg presented to Luther on the occa-
sion of his wedding, and proposing long
life to the Protestant princes of Ger
many and the government of the German
free towns. as.
After the banquet, the Emperor and
and Empress proceeded to an
improvised theatre in the cavalry bar
racks, where they witnessed the perfor-
nance of a Luther festival illustrating
the principal events in the reforners
life. Afterwards, they drove to the rail
way station. The route was brilliantly
illuminated and thousands of people
lined the road. Their majesties were
given tumultuous ovation. The whole
celebration was very impressive.
In South Germany and among the
Catholics of other parts of the empire
the sentiment is strong that the official
glorification of Luther at Wittenberg is
an uncalled-for exhibition of hostility
toward several millions of Germany's
population, who claim to be faithful sub
jects of the Kaiser and as devoted to the
fatherland as his Protestant subjects. This
view is taken especially in Bavaria, where
both. people and press are outspoken
against the course OF the Kaiser. The
King of Wurtemburg was not present at
the festivities because of the death of the
Dowager Queen. He is said to have
been glad of the excuse, as many of his
subjects are Catholics.