Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-24
Golden Anniversary Celebrated by
Washington Saengerbund,
FESTIVITIES CLOSE WITH 4 SMOKER
Addresses by Commissioners Mac
farIand and Ross and Others.
TOAST TO FATHE ND

founding of the Washington Saenger-
bund were concluded last evening with
what was termed the program as a
grand jubilee smoker but which was
really an elegant banquet, and was an oc-
casion which will be long remembered by
those present. Fully 500 of the members
of the society were in attendance. The in
vited guests We're District Commissioners
mcfarland and Ross, August Schmidt,
president of the Arion Singing Society,":
George Fisher, president of the Germania
Maennerchor; former President H. Voll-
mer of the same organization, Prof. Will
liam Waldecker and Prof. Emile Holer
President Claudy of the Saengerbund pre-
sided and acted as POSTMASTER
After an address of welcome by the
chairman the toast THE President of the
United States was drunk standing and in
silence, as was also the toast Our friends
who have Joined the grand chorus beyond
the gates may their memory remain with
us alWays! Much to the surprise of Com
missioner Macfarland he was called upon
to respond to the toast THE United
States of American The hymn of the
homeless, the song of praise of the ship
wrecked, the majestic anthem of liberty,
whose mighty final chord resolves all dis
sonances! May the country of our adop-
ton ever stand foremost in our love and
In our devotion.
Mr. Macfarland paid a glowing tribute to
the United States, and among other things
said the national capital is the epitome of
all that is the best that is to be found in
the capitals of the countries of the old
world; here were to be found, he said
men ana women representing the best ele-
mentS on the globe. There is no Mace in
the world, he continued, where there are
SO many persons who can rise to any emer-
gency that may confront them The homes
of the people of Washington are bound up
In the hopes of the nation. He believed
that Whatever differences of opinion may
exist as to what led the United States up
TO It's present commanding position as a
nation, all We're confident that the Ameri-
can republic would henceforth be a world
power and that it's influence would be ex-
erted Tor good and the welfare of man
KIND In conclusion he made some remarks
felatlve to the District of Columbia, on
winch topic 1t had been previously ar
ranged he was to speak, and he said:
FIFTY years of song! This is worth cele-
pratlng. Such jubilee deserves the recog-
nilion OF the government of the District of
Nolu1nbla For We know that the songs
must nave been fine and the music noble
or the society that sang them would rot
nave hVed half century. Songs degener-
ale and decadent, or only trashy and
tfllllhg, perish in the singing, and no So
clety could have lived long that sang such
songs 1t means much that for half a CEN
fury, and long before there was much more
OF the District of Columbia than a geo
graphical term, the Washington Saenger-
puma maintained the high ideals of the best
music, with all it's refining and ennobling
influences. Through all the vicissit .ities of
that long period half of the life of the
national capital, 1T has persevered because
II had good reason for being. 1t has
cheered sadness, SOothed sorrow and pro-
NOTED happiness. We owe much to our
Ieutonfc forefathers. A passion for free
dom and the purposes and power TO main
IL, qyift
we must thank them. But only less nre
clous Is passion for music which has
given the world the greatest of the tone
masters the mightiest musicians n bas
ever known, and the best expression re tba
love of liberty Here in the United States
freedom lovers and music lovers of Ger
man descent naturally unite in such cele-
bratlon as this with all the enthusiasm of
their ancestors, and all the eratituIe of
Americans who enjoy a goodly heritage"
Looking Forward to Centennial
To Mr.. William F. I.utz was assigned the
duty of speaking to the toast. .,rhe dav
we celebrate! Fifty years of song and of
lriehuShlp, OF harmony and of sociabIitv
OF melody and of concord! May the Saen-
serpuhu continue Its good work, and live
10 celebrate its centennial
In part he said: When ten years ago we
sat around the festive board to celebrate
the fortieth anniversary of the founding of
the Saengerbund inVoluntarily the question
came up who of those present might be
so fortunate to assist in the celebration
of the golden jubilee. Thank God! but very
rev have left our ranks, and with CRATE
full hearts we are assembled here this even
ing to participate in the joys and honors |
OF this rare occasion
my years ago very few Germans |
banded together for the purpose of cluti-
waiting the songs of the fatherland IT is |
an old saying that when Germans meet
they either quarrel or sing. Well, our little |
tannla chose to sing, and they, and at
q TO
luton ever since. Not that uuarrels |
We're entirely excluded but we were
always constant in our rule of business be- |
fore pleasure. Times We're not lovely alto
gether for the alien fifty years ago. The |
native born hated everything foreign born,
very much like the Chinese do this very |
day.
Bands of rowdies infested the land, and |
everybody of foreign descent especially |
the Dutchman, wherever there was an OBJ |
portunity, was either insulted or maltreat-
ed And so it happened repeatedly that |
when the singers were deeply interested in
their exercises stones and brickbats would
come crashing through the windows, and |
the poor devils were compelled to use
rooms located in the rear for their rehear-
sails. But in spite of all obstacles the Saen-
serbund grew in strength and number, ana
soon II became very unhealthy for loafers
20 be too demonstrative.
"As from a little acorn a gigantic oak
tree will rise, so it was with our So
ciety. From very modest beginning it
grew and fiourished until now it numbers
n membership about 500, and soon may
each the thousand mark.
What was the reason of this marvellous
growth? Because at all times the Saenger-
1und was fortunate in possessing members
whose whole hearts were wrapped up in it's
welfare, men who feared no sacrifices, who |
,hrunk from no labor when the interest OF
he bund was at stake. Another reason:
We constantly adhered to our maxim that
10 religious political matters should be
mixed up with our affairs. AS long as we
cling to these principles and make art and
music our primary business, and enjoyments
secondary so long we will prosper and be
as an ornament and blessing to our
We old members wish to lay
close to the hearts of our young members
never to deviate from this course, whatever
nay be the provocation. Do this and you /
will keep the path smooth for another jul /
,ilee yet so remote.
'sAnd now, gentlemen, I request you to
lrise and assist in executing a rOusing sa-
ute in honor of the day we celebrate.
Long may the Saengerbund live, prosper
and flourish
The request was complied with