The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-04
WAS A GREAT DAY
Continued from First Page.

avoid religious prosecutions Their
sterling leader was Franz Daniel Pas
| toriuS. On seeing the beauty of the new
home to which they had come from
over the seas, these pilgrims fell on
their knees and sang the hymn Great
! God, We Praise Thee" This was the
| nrSt song sung by Germans in the New
| World. The arrival of these forefathers
| of the German-Americans occurred
just about 60 years after the landing of
the Pilgrim Fathers who came over on
| the MaytoWer, and about 100 years be-
! fore the American Revolution, in which
| Muehlenberg, Steuben, De Kalb. Herch-
heimer and others rendered such valiant
| service. We honor today the memory of
| riouS past We likewise look towards the
! duties of the future with a full con-
seriousness of their import: No one will
dispute our right to cherish with pride
race has sprung, the mother language,
German industry, art, honesty, music
and song. No one will blame us for
taking an interest in the fate of Ger
many, the land of our birth.
Notwithstanding the love we bear to
the old Fatherland we are, my fellow cit
liens, loyal American citizens in the
best sense of the word. No American of
foreign birth has a greater right to say AZ
this than we have. That German-Amer-
leans are loyal to the country of their
adoption was a fact recognized by Gen.
George Washington. He chose his body
guard from the German troops serving
In the American army. When Lincoln's
call to arms was issued in 1861 German
Americans We're among the first to take
up arms for the sake of the Union and
among the first to risk their lives in de-
tense of the Stars and Stripes Two
hundred thousand COMMUNICATIONS
fought under the banner of freedom In
the Union army. German-American com
manders led Union troops to victory
Sigel, Schurz, Oesterhaus Won elisa,
Steinwehr, ,Weitzel, Blenker, Schimmel-
ptenn1g and many other names will live
forever in the annals of American pa
trIottsm. Not alone did our compatriots
offer their lives in behalf of their new
home, but Germans in the old Father
land willingly purchased our bonds and
securities, helping our government in this
way during the war in a very substan-
tial manner. In England, on the other
hand. there were many who preferred
to buy rebel securities. No one will deny
that the sons of the Fatherland took a
most prominent part by reason of their
industry, Intelligence and endurance in
the TRANSFORMATION of the primeval for
fields and gardens. 1t is not our object
to constitute and isolate nationality in
America 1t IS our aim to assist in
! building up great American national
spirit. German-Americans can do this
| without giving up the mother language:
they should strive to acquire as per
feet knowledge of English as possible
and at the same time carefully preserve
| w
We celebrate today magnificent
German festival, under the canopy of
heaven and the flag of the republic
Laying emphasis on the valorous deeds
| that the German-American citizens have
performed for the honor of the Stars and
Stripes, we witness today the harmo-
NOUS commingling of the red, white
and blue with the black. white and red
banner Of the old country The flags
| seem to say that we have always been
good friends, and we will remain so for
all time
The cause of personal liberty has been
advanced to the fore front of our ciyiliza-
ton by the adoption of German customs
and habits as an integral part of Ameri-
can communal life After week of la
Dor. we believe that it is proper to rest
and enjoy ourselves on Sunday in a prop
er and orderly manner exercising Hh
erty' not license. We do not belong to
tnat class OF people whose chief enjoy
ment consists In interfering with the
pleasures of their fellow men
Gov. Lind followed Mayor Kfefer. He
spoke in English and briefly, as fol-
lows:
In coming out here this afternoon to
gree, this vast assembly 1 have not pre-
pared, any eulogy of the German people,
known them for thirty years as friends
and citizens The Germans are strong.
bodily and mentally; brave and liberty
loving; industrious with a perseverance
and self-sacrifice unknown to other ueo-
pie. The German has a keen insight
into affairs and the future, and they
never discount the future. 1t is well that
you gather and keep up memories that
you cherish. 1t was German strength and
| yalor that stayed the advancing march
| Of imperial Rome and made it possible
|, to enjoy a German government. You are
| justified in meeting to commemorate
your memories. 1t IS the purpose of your
society to meet and refresh your minds
| and impress these virtues on the grow
ing American manhood l welcome
you on behalf Of the state, and every
good citizen stands ready to cooperate
! and assist you.
Gov. Lind and Mayor Kiefer were both
presented with bouquets as large as
bushel baskets at the conclusion Of their
| speeches.
President Boenisch was presented with
handsome scarf, the band played 1.-The
Kaiser March," and the societies march,
ed away and the formal exercises were
! over.
| AT THE DRILL GROUND.
|