The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-25
FRANCIS SERENADED
BY 1900 SINGERS
Demonstration One Of the Largest
German American Patriotic
Events in City's History.
SING HYMNS OF TWO NATIONS.
President Of Exposition Presented
With Emblem and Made Hon.
orary Member of Saenger-
fest Association.
SING HYMNS OF TWO NATIONS.

4
| Francis last night by tho united singin,
societies was one Of the most patriotic Ger
man-American demonstrations ever held IL
| the city.
1t attracted the attention of thousands O
citizens. who congregated at the homo O
Mr.. Francis to hear the music and pay re
| spects to the man Of the hour
The singing societies gathered at Iindel
boulevard and Vandeventer avenue, and
led by Fred schillinger's band, marched
west on Lndell boulevard. The parade wa,
escorted by a squad Of mounted police unde,
| command Of Sergeant Henry 8. GriefleId.
In line :were l5oo singers, carrying Jap
anese lanterns. nags and red lights. A,
the line OF march proceeded westward OF
Lndell boulevard, cheer after cheer aros,
| from the enthusiastic citizens.
When the parade reached a point mid.
way between Newstead and Taylor ave.
nues. It turned north onto a vacant lot dt.
rectfy in front Of President Francis's home
Near Maryland avenue a platform had been
erected for Mr.. Francis and the COMMITTEES
RECEIVES THE SINGERS.
When the line Of march came to a halt a
committee went to the home Of Mr. Francis
to escort him to the platform. The com.
mittee consisted of Edward l. Preetorius
Edward Dewey. Charles SchweIckardt, Jos.
eph Dickmann, August Hoffman, Louis
Schaeffer. l.. F. Hammer. Jr., F. W. Keck
Ferdinand Wiecerholdt and F. L. Ridgely.
The committee escorting Mr.. Francis was
led by squad Of patrolmen in charge of
Sergeant Smith As Mr.. Francis and escort
passed through the crowd to the platform
ne % was cheered from every side.
When the party mounted the platform
Lange, sang "Das Deutsche Lied" after
which Charles Schweickardt. who acted for
Otto Stifel. president, who was unable to
President Francis Mr.. Schweickardt said,
In part:
PAYS TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS.
I'm behalf Of the united singing societies
l wish to state that we are proud Of you:
achievement. That we value them is but a
small expression of our feeling. for you
represented not only St. Louis. the State of
and love you for the energy you display
in the interest Of ST. Louis. No other man
could have been selected to have done what
you have done as the head of this great
Exposition"
Mr.. schweickardt then presented a scroll
to Mr. Francis Gonferring upon him an hon
Societies. The scroll was decorated With
the Saengerfest emblem.
After Mr.. sehweeckardt finished the So
dent Francis. though suffering from a Sc Sc
we're cold. addressed the gathering His
remarks were full of feeling and sentiment.
In part, he said:
THE sweet strains Of "Old Kentucky
touch the chord in the heart OF every ma
tive of the grand cid State. Still. while the
recollection of old Kentucky is everlasting
II is not half so dear to me the sensa-
ton aroused in my breast upon my return
home to Missouri. This cordial welcome is
the capsheaf OF the very generous welcome
extended me-
TELLS OF EMPEROR
President Francis then related his confer
ence with the Emperor OF Germany and
how the latter assured him that Germany
would be represented. second to no other
country, at the Exposition.
He said that while there was yet much to
do to be able to receive the world in 1904
such demonstrations as last night were in
spring to those behind the movement and
would cause them TO push anead Wit.
greater determination shst; +te--
=EEJts.r--. EsaTla.s Raid Ii hoped the Ma
t.or5i caeDSerfest In June would be an un-
b9uHded success, for as such 1t would be
OF great Importance to the Exposition.
The societies then sang America" and
at the request Of Mrs. Francis sang Die
Wacht am Rhein." The song was cheered
Singing societies from Belleville and East
q l>r"is assissed.
after The s.I-...:c President tA-su I.
viewed the parade az 1t passed north on
Newstead avenue. Richard Stempf assisted
Professor Lange In the direction of the
chorus. The grand marshal was Ernst
Helfensteller.