The age-herald., 1898-05-09
GERMAN PATRIOTS TRUE TO OLD GLORY =
 x Pledge Allegiance to the Stars
 and Stripes. ERE READY TO TAKE UP ARMS In Defense of the Country of Their Adoption, Meeting of the Southern Central Dis 'riot Turn vereins May Fes-
 tiva at Lakeview.
KRE READY TO TAKE UP ARMS

The Southern Central District Turn ver- eins, composed of the Turner's of Alabama, Arkansas. Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. met in annual session, in Turn yerein hall. in this city yesterday afternoon with about l5O delegates present. Others will arrive this morning.
 The meeting was called to order by Pres ident L. G. Fritz, of Memphis.
 The reports of the various committees showed the affairs of the Turner's to be in excellent condition.
 The officers of the association are named by the city chosen at the annual meeting as district headquarters and tender of this honor to Birmingham was made by the meeting, which was declined by President Lesser. of the Birmingham Turn yerein in favor of Memphis, which means the re- election of President Fritz.
 VIII Tight for "Old Glory"
 Stirring resolutions was unanimously adopted pledging the support of the Turn CTS to the United States government in the present war with Spain, and reafiirming allegiance to the flag of their adoption. The resolutions were introduced by MT. Lesser, of this city, and their adoption was attended with an outburst of patriotic en- thusiasm.
 The spirit of the resolution not only pledged the moral support, but also the active and aggressive support of every member
 In event of a second call for volunteers Turner regiment will be organized in the district to go to the front.
 Last night Turn Verein hall in Third ave- nue was the scene of a genuine German welcome rendered by the organization to the visiting delegates.
 Herr George Lott, of Memphis, one of the oldest Turner's in the district in foint of membership and not of age, was master of ceremonies and acquitted himself with credit.
 Good Fellowship Reigned Supreme. Patriotic German airs were sung and several interesting addresses in German were delivered, while good fellowship and good cheer reigned supreme. Refresh ments dear to the Germans heart were served in superabundance and the evening was delightfully spent.
 The hall was beautifully decorated with German and American eolors and when the orchestra played -Dixiei' ''Fatherland" was forgotten for the moment and enthusiasm held sway.
 This morning at o'clock, at the Audi torium, there will be general rehearsal of all active members of the Gymnastic Union. At 10 a. m. general rehearsals of the mass choruses. After the rehearsals the judges of the contest will meet and organize.
 ca1- ,fe- oft1 oil ttxro nasts and singers will meet at Turn verein hail in Third avenue and will march to the Auditorium, where the exercises will begin at 2:30 p. m. These exercises will be participated in by the members of the several Turn verein organizations and the children of the public schools under the direction of Prof. A. D. Speldel.
 Opening Exercises.
 This evening at o'clock the official open ing exercises will take place at the Audi torium with an address in German, by President E. Lesser, of the Birmingham Turn verein and in English by Mayor Frank V. Evans. An address in German will also be delivered by District President Fritz, of Memphis, and one in English by Hon. S. D. Weal1ley, of this city.
 Mass and prize choruses will make up
 
 Tomorrow the scene of the exercises will be transferred to Lake View Park, where outdoor feats will be contested during the morning under hte direction of District Turnwart Prof George Pfaff, of Memphis. Prize competitions in literature and music will consume the afternoon, and at D. m the prize medals will be awarded.
 Annual May Festiva1.
 At p. m. the annual May festival of the Birmingham German Turn Verein will be- gin with magnificent display of fireworks and it is expected that fully 15,oOo people will be on the ground. After the fire works the grand annual ball in the pavilian will bring the exercises to a close.
 On Wednesday the visitors will be shown the points of interest around the city. A delegation of about 400 people are ex- pected from Cullman this morning and sev- eral delegations from other cities.
 A LAD DROWNED.