Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-13
LINCOLN'S9 BIRTHDAY
ITS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN
THIS CITY LAST NIGHT.
German-Americans Gather in Con-
cOrdia Ratlis keller Hall
therfExercises.

The German-American Central Union cell
ebrated the ninety-second anniversary of
the birth of Abraham Lincoln last evening
with appropriate ceremonies in the hand
some hall of the Concordia rathskeller, at
Sth and r Streets Several eloquent speak
ers paid tributes to the famous American
who broke the shackles of millions of
slaves. The Marine Band rendered selec-
tons during the evening
An address of welcome was delivered by
William l.. Elterich, president of the
Deutscher Central Verein, at first in Ger
man and then in English.
we celebrate, as far as we are able, In
music, with addresses and with festal dec
orations, the anniversary of the birth of
the great martyr, Abraham Lincoln said
Mr. Eiterich. I'VE do this under the aus
pices of the Deutscher Central Ferein, for
which there is peculiar reason.
More than two hundred years ago the
first men of German ancestry landed in
this country, and theirs were the first
voices to be raised in protest against
slavery. They sowed the seed that flour
1shed into abolition principles. Abraham
Lincoln emancipated the slaves, and so en-
deared himself to the heart of every man
of German descent. 1t is for this reason
that we of German ancestry celebrate the
birthday of Lincoln.
within few days will be witnessed the
PRESIDENT IMchlileS DIS inc
chief magistrate of the nation for second
term. 1t is just forty years ago that Presf-
dent Lincoln was inaugurated for the first
time. There We're many Germans in the
bodyguard which was gathered about the
republican President to protect him against
threatened attacks at that time Inc same
Germans were among the first to volunteer
for service against the enemy When the
call to arms was made few weeks later
to protect the Union against dismember-
ment.
Germans have reason to be proud of
these things. We feel akin to this martyr
President, if in nothing else. in his love for
liberty, and we are assembled TO properly
commemorate his birthday
Commissioners Macfarland's Remarks.
Commissioner mcfarland was the next
speaker, and said he was pleased to be with
the celebraters of the anniversary and to
participate in the event. He hoped the day
would be made a national holiday. He SAID
it was fitting that Germans should celebrate
the day, because Lincoln possessed Teu
tonic blood which came from his Saxon an
cestOrs. Lincoln stood for all that was best
in the republic. With James Russell Lowell,
he liked to think of him the first Ameri-
can. There was no rivalry between Wash
ingtOn and Lincoln in this respect, as the
former held a place apart and unimpeach-
able While he admired Washington. he
felt that he more Englshman than
an American in character. Lincoln brought
up in the backwoods. and making his way
by the sturdy characteristics that are pecu-
larv American. was entitled to stand as
the type of all that is best in an American.
Representative Bartholdt delivered. in the
German language, an eloquent GRAFTON on
the life and character of Lincoln.
A number of German melodies were sung
during the evening by the United Singers of
Washington, under the leadership of Prof.
Emil Holer, and by the Germania Maenner-
Choir. under the leadership of Prof. Emil
Christian.