Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-13
BRIGHT GERMAN-DAY
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE)

| i
more willing to make any sacrihce ior
| ,his renubIic than the German-Ameri-
cans. But our forefathers who lett the'r
old homes TO gain freedom for their con-
yictions and religion. have bequeathed US
an heirloom which Is to protect tnis
| freedom for all future time.
But when fanatic spirits arise VINO
| dare TO attack certain religions. or unite
| into societies and oblgate themselves "
war against every foreigner. even son
| against father, or frame intolerant laws
against nersonal liberties, 1t is time that
we accept the heirloom left us by our
forefathers and fight for the freedom OF
| our convictions and religion. This pat'ie'
men. must be fought at the ballot-DoN'
| where every one can vote TOT tne ieP'e
sentative Of personal liberty.
And the celebration of this day SUD-
stimulates the repeatedly renewed assn
rance that We will all as real Germans,
arise as one man whenever the uenVi, Vi
Tanatic persecution against free thinking,
hut submissive mode of living cohtihu-
| aI,v ranews its grim attacks" NO Iastins
| country OF and for the people Is posi-
HE in which hypocrisy and intolerance
hold sway.
| EVILS THAT FOLLOW DESPOTlSM.
Political lying, swindling. and corrup-
| tion follows in the footsteps OF this des-
motto demon and also the destruction or
real religion, the destruction OF personal
| liberty, and the destruction or the repup-
lie But we can with overwhelming
pleasure review the last year. There has
been formed out OF the German lodge that
has ceased to be a German lodge a new
independent, and much stronger German
society that cannot possibly be subjected
to nativeism; and Furthermore, ladies'
society has been organized which up
holds us in eisterly manner.
As il is the task OF the German-Ameri-
can Association OF Virginia to aid poor
Germans. so have the German-Aineilca
Ladies' Aid Society of the Virginia Hos
pital made II their duty to care for the
sick Germans. but especially the ihui-
gent sick are to be provided Tor at 'ne
German section OF the hospital without
charge. or to visit and help them at their
homes.
This noble, and to them pleasant sacri-
fee Of our ladies' will be cheerfully sup
norted by the entire German population
of Richmond. and I hereby again urge
all German wives and maidens 10 JOIN
the same For there VIII. no DOUBT
10 my regret, be many an invaid VINO
will need the soft but strong hahd Oh
these ladies'. and / would join the Ger
man-American singer Johann EDerhard'
in saying
"Es ist Elm eigenes walton
In zaiter frauenband:
Und was sic mag gestalten'
Das hat gar festen stand.
Die frauenband die weiche,
NIGHT schwer vie mannesfaust,
Ist stark doch vie die eiche.
Wenn wild der stunn erbraust.'
GIVEN A LAUREL WREATH.
Mr.. Charles Phillips. president OF the
Gesangverein Virginia, then sang SOLO
in German. at the conclusion OF which ne
announced briefly that he had been dele
gated by the ladies of the German-Ameri-
can Association of the Virginia Hospital 20
present to President Rosenegk a laurel
wreath in token of their great apprecia-
ton of his generous services and MS IN
defatigability in all matters pertaining TO
the welfare of the German citizens OF
this country.
In acknowledging the gift Mr.. Rosenegk
said he was profoundly touched at the
most fattering and kindly token II al
ways had been and would be his earnest
desire to uphold German interests and to
maintain the high standing OF Germans
in this country. He begged Mr.. Phillips
TO convey to the president and ladies OF
the association his sincere thanks and TO
express the great pleasure 1t gave him 10
accent the wreath, which he should al
ways value most highly.
THE GOVERNORS LETTER.
Mr.. Carl Ruehrmund. chairman of the
Invitation Committee, then came forward
and announced the absence OF the Gov
err, IT of the State, and read the follow
ing .etter Of explanation:
GOVERNORS OFFICE.
RICHMOND, VA. September 8, 1885.
Mr. Carl Ruehrmund, Secretary OF the
German-American Association, Rich
mond, Va:
Ny Dear Sir,-I regret exceedingly that
cannot be with your association In the
celebration OF German-Day, next Thurs
day.
For the last week / have been very
much indisposed, and confined partially
to my house. On yesterday l was BET
ter and was encouraged to hope that
/ would recover sufficiently to participate
with you; but to-day l am not so We'll
and l have been advised to go TO the
mountains for few days, which 1 snail
do tonight.
Let me assure you and every member
of your association that my disappoint-
ment really gives me pain, and that L
will be absent simply because my heaith
will not allow me to be present
The occasion OF your celebration VIII no
doubt be most inspiring, and l would IN
deed be glad TO enjoy 1t with you. You
will assemble as native-born sons ana
daughters OF Germany. to attest your
warm love for your Fatherland, ana, AT
the same time, as adopted sons and daugh-
tiers, express your devotion to this land
Of republican liberty and constitutional
eovernment-your fidelity to the tradi-
tions and memories Of the one. your
lovaltv to the glories and institutions OF
the other.
You come Of a great race-a race whose
prominent characteristics have been de-
clared to be honesty. faith. funess,
yalor thoughtfulness. perseverance. and
Industry" What a combination! II these
traits do not constitute a high and
exalted race. / would not know what
to add.
OF the German Americans Of Virginia
/ will say that their native land should
be proud that she has here such worthy
representatives. and that Virginia is
proud that she has enrolled them among
her adopted sons, for they constitute a
tower OF strength and upon them she
can ever rely to aid her in the march OF
progress and to defend her In time Of
danger.
Again expressing my regret that I can
not be with you. 1 am, with great re-
spect.
Yours. very truly.
CHARLES T. O'FERRALL.
HON. JOSEPH LAwLEss SPEAKS.
Mr.. H. Zimmerman then introduced
Secretary of Commonwealth Lawless.
who had kindly consented to speak on the
subject of Virginia" in the absence Of
the Governor.
He said: \
A. f,ha,r,nan Yadios and Nartiaran