The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-24
ALT DEUTSCHLAND
IS IN FULL BLAST
Celebration in Honor of German Day Opened
in Convention Hall-Striking Repro
ducton of Alt Nuremberg

Convention Han never presented a
auainter or more brilliant scene than
that which greeted the eyes Of beholders
when at a few minutes after O'Clock
last evening, at the touching of button
by the President Of the United States
at the White House, a myriad OF electric
lights flashed out on a miniature German
town, in the streets Of which gathered a
festive throng, who gave life and color
to ALT Deutschland. The festival in
honor of the 220th anniversary of the
memorable day on which a small band
OF German pilgrims. under the leader
ship OF Franz PasIOrius. founded She
first permanent German colony in the
United States, is being held in Wash
ington under the auspices OF the United
German Societies OF the District of CO.
lumbia, the oldest organization OF this
kind in the United States.
An Impressive Opening.
1t wasAan impressive opening to
very significant celebration No sooner
had the many colored lights nlumlneo
the scene than from the bandstand at
the rear OF the hall just back OF the
village streets came the inspiring strains
o. Hall Columbia" The enthusiastic
crowd Of merrymakers coul5 not re-
strain from cheering as the music burst
forth.
Al the eastern end Of the hall is the
stage. and it was from this that lmme-
diately after the playing of music the
formal exercises Of opening took place.
addresses being made By Germans proml
inent in the United States and appro-
priate chorus selections being sung pS
the United Singers OF Washington
president Kurt Voelckner. the head OF
tho United German Societies OF the DIS
trict Of Columbia. made the formal open
ing address of the evening He eonhneo
nj, remarks principally 10 the slgnlh-
canoe. of the occasion and the Joyous
event which il typihed- A brilliant aa-
dress in English was made by Or. { D.
Hexamer. president OF the German
American National Alliance, of which
the District OF Columbia societies are
mart DIR. HeXamer has a wide reputa-
ton both IN this country and abroad
Mr.. Bartholdt's Address.
Music by the United Singers of Wash
iugton was the next feature on the pro
cram. ,rhey sang Mendelssohns ''Jaeg-
/ er's Abschied.'; The Hon. Richard Bar
tboldt. member OF Congress from 81
louis who has long been identified with
German interests. being himself Ger
man. made an interesting address on
the subject OF the Teutonic strain in the
! American race. and spoke OF the many
/ fine attributes that it had contributed
! to higher citizenship. and the prominent
mart the German element had played III
4 the history of she United States
I-Gruesse an die Heimat" was next sung
md the Rev A. W. Hildebrandt was
then introduced. being received with
/ great enthusiasm, the audience recos'
nizing him as the author Of the famous
| Kaiser prize song, "Das Deutsche Nolks'
lied" Dr. Hndebrandt Is from New
j York and was "a guest OF honor at th'
celebration He read poem which was
I enthusiastically received.
Perhaps the best idea of the artistic
effect in the laying out of the village
and Of the green surrounding 1t, IN
which a kirmess is held. can be obtained
Gin a view from the platform in the
windmill tower at the end OF the hail.
where. By the way, is a beautiful for
tune teller. who. in her lofty room can
read palms with marvellous insight.
From this elevation it is possible to see
the whole scheme Of decoration that
! has been carried out.
] As the visitor enters he looks down
a street. the most prominent feature OF
which is 4 magnificent Christmas tree