The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-17
Turner and Singing Societies from
This and Other Cities Keep Alive
Traditions of Fatherland.
SENATOR FAIRBANKS SPEAKS
DEVOTED SERVICE OF BARON STEU-
BEN MENTIONED BY HIM.
No sympathy for Those who Try to
Embroil This Country in War
--s.s--------s-- with Germany. 9e

Germania Park, south OF the city. was
the Mecca yesterday for more than fifteen
thousand people, who went to celebrate the
annual German day. The celebration was
not confined to the park only. In the morn
ing. when the bright sunlight gave promise
of good weather for the days outing. an
immense flag parade. participated in by all
the German turner and singing societies of
this city, was formed. 1t was an imposing
sight to many who happened downtown
shortly after 9 o'clock to see the flag
pageant winding its way through the down.
town streets headed by the City Band.
The parade of the morning was but a
small part of the demonstration that was
to follow. Thousands hurried to the park
before dinner. The greater number went
out In the afternoon. The park which has
been greatly enlarged this year, was en-
tirely inadequate for the immense crowd
that desired to assist in the celebration
The street-car facilities were poor ard
many thousands of men and women lined
Washington street and Virginia avenue
trying to get car to Germania Park.
With many of these 1t was near O'Clock
before they could get out to the park By
the time of their arrival they had hard
struggle to get inside the gate, So large
-
difficulty that one could get near the dane
ing pavilion or the speakers stand.
VISITORS HAD GOOD TINE.
The executive committee having charge
of the arrangements was prepared for the
big crowd and it was seen that all the Wis
itors had good time. About 2 o'clock the
first delegation Of outside singing societies
appeared. when elghty-four members of the
Louisville Social Maennerchor and Lieder-
krantz made their appearance. followed by
forty-five friends. This delegation arrived i'm
the city shortly after dinner and went to
the park preceded by a brass band Their
appearance at the gate was the signal for
cheering from the thousands who were in
side In addition to these singing societies
there were delegations of turner's from
Fort Wayne. Evansville, Terre Haute
Richmond and other large cities of the
State. There were also the full membership
attendance OF the different singing and
turner societies Of this city, numbering
several thousand.
The Louisville delegation on its arrival
was escorted To section of the park where
ten long tables were arranged. Ref esh-
ments were served. after which the Lieder-
kranz of this city andthe Louisville singing
societies rendered several songs I'm German
AT o'clock Frederick Francke president
of the Germania Park Association escorted
Senator and Mrs. Fairbanks TO the wide
p0rticO OF the clubhouse, where Cant j. l..
Bieler. Prof Robert Nix instructor of Ger
man in the indianapolis public schools Pro-
fessor Barus, teacher of singing in the pub
lie schools. and D.. Hugo Eisenlohr, of Gin
cfnnati, were seated The clubhouse was
beautifully decorated. Six huge American
flags were arranged in the trees surround
ing the house. There were number of
German pennants hung from the different
windows.
SENATOR FAIRBANKS SPOKE
The members OF the singing societies were
arranged on the grass in front OF the por-
tico. The combined societies from Indian
apolis and Louisville rendered two num-
bers, after which President Francke intro
duced Prof. Robert Nix. The latter gave
an extended speech on the occasion of the
celebration. going into the history of the
German empire back to the time of its con-
fiicts with the old Roman empire. Profess
sor Nix was greatly cheered for his speech.
He was followed by Senator Charles W.
Fairbanks. The senator devoted his atten-
tion to the members of the Louisville Social
Maennerchor. whose singing he had appre-
ciated- He said: 1T becomes my pleasant
duty to-day, gentlemen. to welcome YOU
from across the river which at one time
was regarded as the Mason and Dixon line.
To-day there Is no Mason and Dixon line.
IL was obliterated more than forty years
ago, when that awful struggle for preser-
vation OF the Union was waged This coun-
try to-day knows line When the SOL
forty years ago you will remember that
many OF them were either Germans or OF
German descent. We Americans to-day are
proud OF the Germans The reason OF our
pride Is that they love education They
CONTINUED ON PAGE :, COL G.