River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-01-23
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD.
Anniversary Celebration of the Founding
of the German Fmpfre.

of the German Empire.
Berlin, Jan. 20.-Saturday the 25th
anniversary of the proclamation of
the German empire was observed
as an absolute holiday in Berlin
and other German cities. Services
were held in all the churches and syna-
gogues in the city, and the public build
ings and private houses were decorated
with flags, the effect of which, how
ever. was greatly married by the driz
cling rain and fog which prevailed. Be-
sides the imperial ceremonies in the
white hall of the Schloss, there were
many feasts and ceremonies, public and
private, throughout the city.
A special edition of the Reichsanzei-
ger. which was issued for the purpose,
publishes a decree granting amnesty
to civilian prisoners equally with milf
tary offenders who are undergoing sem
fences requiring the payment of less
than $50 marks fine, or six weeks inn
prisonment. The decree also pardons
many persons who are undergoing pun
ishment for lese majeste
A new order has been created in
honor of the occasion, III decoration
consisting of gold portrait of the
emperor's grandfather, William J., with
the inscriptions: In memory of Will
liam the Great The decoration is 10
be worn upon n neck chain. The first
recipients of the order were the en-
peror, the empress, ex-Empress Fred
erick, the grand duchess OF Daden, the
king of Saxony, Countess of Waldersec,
Prince Bismarck, DIR. Miguel, minister
o. finance, and Freiherr Won Berlepsch,
minister of commerce.
The emperor las bestowed The order
of the Black Eagle upon former minis
tiers Camphausen ind Delboueck.
The emperor, speaking from the
throne in the white hall, discoursed at
length, expressing his heartfelt thanks
for the great benefits which the past
quarter of u century had conferred
upon the empire, recalling memories
of the period which called the en-
pire into existence, and vowing to con-
tinue the work which his GRANDPA
ther, Emperor William l., had begun.
His ma iesty especially mentioned the
merits of Prince Bismarck In connec-
ton with the creation of the empire.
declaring that his regard could not
be too great. He promised to work
increasingly to complete the internal
institutions of the empire, and 70
strengthen the bonds which united the
German races. Germany, he said, in
stead of being in danger from other
states, will continue, in the future
as in the past, strong pillar of peace.
The emperor, after concluding his
remarks in the white hall, swore a
solemn oath over banner 200 years
old, to guard the empire safely at home
and abroad, upon the principle of one
empire, one people, one God
The anniversary was celebrated by
DEGREES published at the instance of the
secretaries of culture and worship in
Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria. Wurtcmburg.
Baden, Hesse and the other German
states, and all the schools in the empire
suitably observed the day by applaud
ing patriotic addresses delivered by the
principals and teachers and by recita-
ton and singing. In Berlin and all the
other large cities the municipalities and
voluntary citizens committees had
made preparations for the day. Stores
were closed and business was suspended
from noon.