Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-18

The arrangements for the convention and en-
tertainment of the delegates were made by the
executive committee Of the Columbia Turn
yerein, Mr.. G.. ". Spier, chairman, and the
citizens reception committee, Mr.. Charles
Walter, chairman.
The fundamental principle of the Turnerbund
Is educational, a recognition Of the old Grecian
and Roman saying: Mems sana in corpore
sane" Ga sound mind in a sound. healthy body,
provided body and mind are jointly and sys-
tematicaly developed. As educational
ganization every turn verein (gymnastic asso-
ciation) in the country maintains q school where
children of both sexes receive a systematic
course of physical culture under the super
vision of trained teachers, graduates of the
''Turnteachers Seminary in Milwaukee, an in
stitution maintained at the expense of the Tur-
nerbund the federal organization Within the
past year the Turnerbund has erected a new
seminary building in Milwaukee at an expense
of $50 900. exclusive Of the ground, which was
donated for the purpose by two public-spirited
ladies. This seminary Is connected with the
decentralization Teachers Seminary of
Milwaukee. the grounds and building of which
likewise the munifcent gift of the same TWO
ladies, the Mesdames Pfster and Vogel The
object in connecting the two institutions is to
give the graduating teachers thorough course
in both the mental and physical training Of
children.
As result of this practical course of train
ing and the untiring efforts of the turn vereins
throughout the country a system of calisthenics
and gymnastics has already been introduced
into the public schools of a number of our west
ern cities, notably Chicago, Milwaukee, st.
Louis. de-, and the Turnerbund will not cease
its efforts until every public school in every
city and village Of the country devotes at least
one hour q day to physical culture under the
supervision of competent teachers.
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP.
The Turnerbund at present has about 3OS
vereins (associations), divided into thirty-four
districts, with total membership Of over
40 900. At the national conventions (held every
two years. every turn yerein LIS entitled to one
delegate for every hundred members, so that
about 400 delegates are expected to be present
at the coming convention in Washington.
During the convention questions Of vital in
| terest not only 10 German-Americans. but to
| every American citizen of the country, will be
discussed and as Congress will very likely be
| in session the resolutions of this convention
| bearing upon the rights and liberties of Ameri-
can citizens will be Immediately laid before the
proper congressional committees.
The principles of the Turnerbund as q politi-
cal organization are those that underlie the
| very foundation Of this government. As the
Declaration Of Independence was written and
handed down to posterity by the revolutionary
forefsthers Of this country, so the North
American Turnerbund was formed by the
1 German revolutionists Of 1848 and 1S49, who
1
and seek an asylum upon our hospitable shores.
When in 1861 chattel slavery was doomed and
the Union endangered, the turner's were the
first TO respond to Lincoln's call, ITO arms!'
Suffice il to say, that the first condition OF
membership in the Turnerbund is american
citizenship" or the declared intention of be-
coming citizen, If the applicant is an alien.
THE FIRST CONVENTION.
The first convention Of the Turnerbund was
held in 1850 in Philadelphia, and in their first
platform published in 1851 the turner's declared
chattel slavery. The first turn verein in the old
country Gin Germany was founded by the noble
patriot, Father jain" in the year 1910 for the
| express purpose Of Strengthening the German
youth to overthrow the oppressive tyranny Of
Napoleon and old FatherJa hn had the satisfaction,
Of entering Paris after the defeat Of Napoleon
at Waterloo. The spirit of opposition t.
tyrany. oppression and injustice Of every kind
was cultivated in every Turnverein of the ole
country manifested itself again in the demo
cratic revolution OF lS4S and 1849. and was ther
transplanted to this country, where it mani
In the war Of the rebellion, and where TO-DAY
that same spirit Of liberty and humanity i
cultiveted In every turn verein OF the "Nortl
American Turnsrbund.
LIST OF DELEGATES.
The following 10 hist of the delegates, mos
Of whom have already arrived:
Officers Of the general executive board. st
Louis, Mo.--Hugo Muench, president; MAJ
Hempsl, II. w. Ocker, Richard Boesewetter
Heinrich Braun, Ernst Helfsnstellsr, William
Drechsler, BUD. Bollinger, Richard Barthold
Leo Rassieur, Albert Hseseler, Bernard Thai
DeiseaSss, g. Louis distriet-John Tosus
feldt Jac. Walter. z. g. Winter. II. Obershelp