The times., 1901-04-24
END OF THE CELEBRATION
The Saengerbund Entertains Its
Friends at a Banquet.
Commissioners Mncfnrfand and Ross
in Attendance - Music the Theme
of the Speeches-GreetinGs From
Many Other German Societies.

the celebration of its fftieth anniversary
last night with a grand jubilee smoker,
banquet and ''festcommers' at Saenger-
bund Hall. The entire building. and espe
cially the concert han where the Celebra
tion was held, was artisticalIy decorated
with palms, ferns and cut flowers, pre-
senting a beautiful scene The Saenger-
bund orchestra, under direction of Henry
DonCh, dscoursed music throughout the
evening.
The first number on the programme was
an address of welcome by Frank Claudy,
President of the organization. Mr..
Claudy said in part;
In the name of the Washington Saen-
gerbund l extend to our honored guests
and to our members a most cordial and
hearty welcome. When a society whose
aims, objects. and principles are not
founded upon or supported by any
financial schemes or purposes, but which
exists solely by the good will, the affec-
tion, and the friendship it's members have
for and feel toward each other, when
such a society reaches the fiftieth year
of its uninterrupted existence and is then
in a condition as is our Saengerbund to-
day, words are inadequate to do justice
to the occasion. Therefore I simply thank
you, and, indeed, thank all our members
and friends who have helped to celebrate
this rare festival
Following the address of Mr.. Claudy the
toasts, The President of the United
States and our Friends Who Have
Joined the Grand Chorus Beyond the
Gates" were drunk standing.
William F. Lutz responded to the toast,
THE Way We Celebrate" He said in
part:
Fifty years ago few Germans banded
together for the purpose of cutivating
the songs of the Fatherland. 1t is an old
saying that when Germans meet, they
sing or quarrel. We have chosen to
sing and have been singing ever since.
Not that quarrels were entirely excluded,
but we always adhere to the rule 'Busi-
ness before pleasure. Times were not
always lovely, fifty years ago. The ma
tive born then hated the foreign born.
Bands of rowdies infested the land and
whenever the opportunity presented Itself
the foreigners, and especially the Dutch
men, were subjected TO maltreatment and
insult SO it happened that when the
singers We're practicing, on many oc-
casions, stones and brickbats crashed
through the windows. compelling them
often to rehearse in back rooms. But in
spite of all obstacles the Saengerbund
will rise, and so our society from small
beginning grew to a membership of almost
1000.
The reason for this marvellous growth
is to be found in the fact that we have
been SO fortunate in always having mem
bers who had the interest of our organ
ization at heart. and who never feared
any sacrifice and who never shirked their
duties. Another reason for success IS
that we excluded discussion of everything
pertaining to religion or politics
We the old members, wish TO lay these
maxfms close to the hearts of the younger
members Never deViate from these prin-
ciples, no matter what the proVOcduon
may be. Keep smooth the pain ior an
other jubilee, the one hundredth
Commissioner MacfarlaUd, VINO RESPOND
ed 10 the toast. The United States OF
America" was introduced in short
speech by President Claudy- lie said IN
Fifty years Of song, This is worth
celebrating Such a jubilee deserves the
recognition OF the government of the
District of Columbia For we know that
the songs must have been fine and the
music noble or the society that sang
them would not have lived half century.
Songs degenerate and decadent, or only
trashy and trifilng, perish IN the singing
and no society could have lived long that
sang such songs. 1t means much that Tor
half century, and long before there was
than a mere geographical term, the
Washington Saengerbund maintained the
high ideals OF the best music, with all its
refining and ennObliug Influences.
Through all the vicissitudes of that long
period, half of the life of the National
Capital. il has perSeNered because Il mad
a good reason for being. 1t has cheered
sadness. SOothed sorrow. ana promoted
happiness. We owe much to our EeutOniC
fOrefathers. a passion for freedom and
the purpose and power TO maintain it
IL. nit III
must thank them. But only less precious
is a passion for music. which has given
the world the greatest of the tone mas
ters the mightiest musicians il has ever
known, and the best expression of the
love OF liberty. Here in the United
States freedom lovers and music lovers
of German descent naturally unite in
such celebration as this with all the en-
thusiasm of their ancestors. and all the
gratitude of Americans who enjoy
goodly heritage"
heartily applauded and was followed by
the singing of Der Saengerbund."
At this 1uncture the president of the
Arion Singing Society, August Schmidt.
tnat organization presented TO President
Claudy an artistically executed dedica-
tory address. eucased i'm a heavy frame
Mir. Claudy expressed the thanks Of the
Saengerbund for the token.
j. Jose. President of the 'Techniker
Nerein." presented the Saengerbund. in
id silver loving cup. suitably engraved
The next toast on the programme The
Old Fatherland, was proposed by MIR
Claudy. and was drunk standing, follow
ed by the singing of The Watch on the
Rhine" after which the president an
nounccd that John G.. Bartel had been
elected an honorary member of the Saen-
gerbund.
Commissioner Ross was next called up-
on to respond to the toast, The City Of
Washington, Our Home He said in
part.
II congratulate the Saengerbund with
all my heart upon their fftieth anuiver-
SarN. ] rejoice that it has been my privi-
lege Tor the first time to look upon this
beautiful home Of your society, to feel
the thrill OF good fellowship that per-
Nades this atmosphere. The first appoint
ment ] made ten years ago. when | en-
tered upon my duties as Commissioner
was member of this body. and he show
ed himself worthy of all the confidence
reposed in him. Mr.. William +. Never
| plainly see and recognize what this So
clety has done ia the culture of music
IN the raising OF that magnificent divine
gift to high standard hope the time
may not be far off when you can buiId
permanent home, a temple for music
ana song. | wish you the success which
you so richly and rightfuIly deserve. -
Mr.. Claudy called for three cheers for
the Commissioners of the District which
were given with Il will
Prof. Hugo Kucrschner read an original
poem in response TO the toast, The Old
Fatherand."
Vice President Waldmann arose and
addressing himself to Mr. CIaudv in
formed him that at the last meeting of
the Saengerbund IL was unanimously DO
cided to elect him honorary president Of
the organization. Mr.. WaldmaDn also
presented Mr.. Claudy with a purse i'm rec