The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-22
GERMANS OBSERVE
 B|G ANNIVERSARY Senator Spragins Discusses
 Prohibition Question CAUSED BY TOO MUCH BOSS Says One Boss Came From Ohio and the Other Sat In the Governors
 Chair-Greeted By Enthu-
 siastic Applause.
CAUSED BY TOO MUCH BOSS

The German Day celebration Tn com memoration of the 225th anniversary of the founding of the first German colony in America, held last night in the Turn Verein hall, 2021 # First ave nue. was an occasion at which much spirit was manifested and one attended by large and enth usiastic crowd.
 The speech of State Senator Robert E. Spragins of Huntsville on ques tions of general public interest was the feature oration of the occasion and caused the round applause of the large audience which heard him. Sen ator Spragns' principal topic of dis cussion was the prohibition question. The speaker did not particularly con- demn prohibition but deplored the fact that it had been forced upon communi- ties which had not been allowed to speak for themselves.
 The programme of the evening was a varied one of music and speeches and proved a thoroughly enjoyable one. Frank Deedmeyer of Ensley presided and made the opening remarks.
 MT. Deedmeyer, after going briefly over the part which the Germans have played in history the conquests and explorations of the race, explained the occasion of the celebration. He said:
 MT. Deedmeyer's Speech.
 "The first permanent settlement upon American soil by the Anglo Saxon branch of this great Germanic race was made at Jamestown, in Virginia. in the year 1907. That event. so inn portant for this continent, and for all mankind, was fittingly celebrated last year at Norfolk.
 Four other nations have left per manent impress upon the American continent, the Spanish the Portugese, the French and the German. The French planted their first colony at Quebec in 1908. Two hundred and twenty y-five years ago this month the parent stem of the Germanic race founded Germantown. in Pennsylvania. It is in commemoration of that event that we are met here tonight. The lit tie band which arrived at Philadelphia on October 6. 16S3 under the leadership of Franz Daniel Pastorius was fol- lowed by millions of thei countrymen. According to the census of the year 1900 third of the inhabitants of the United States have German blood in their veins. They have borne an honorable part in every field of en- deavor They helped to plant and de- velop some of the original colonies. They went in turn, with others across the Alleghenies and stood as the ad
 
 Lakes, on the Ohio and on the Missis sippi. They played an important part in the Revolutionary war. The first treasurer of the American confedera- tion was Michael Hilegas, a natural ized German. The first speaker of the House of Representatives was Fred erick August Muhlenburg
 'The 225th anniversary of the plant ing of the first colony of this impor tant element of our population may well arrest our attention and it de- serves to be commemorated. We meet here not subjects of any of the several European countries, which are made entirely, or partly. of Germans, but we meet as American citizens. claiming a just share in the achieve ments of the great American nation, of which we are part"
 Mr. Deedmeyers speech was followed by an oration in German by the Rev. l.. Hopp of Cullman
 Spraeins Heartily Greeted.
 In introducing Senator Spragns MT. Deedmeyer spoke of him the only man in the last legislature who voted against the bill providing for statewide this remark was made the audience burst. forth with the widest cheers. which were prolonged for a minute or more. AS soon as the applause had ceased member of the audience cried, "Hurrah for our next governor" and there was again an out burst of applause.
 1t will be recalled that a dispatch was sent out of Huntsville several days ago announcing that Senator Spraglns had been mentioned for the governorship of Alabama on the anti-prohibition ticket
 In opening his speech Senator spragins stated .that the prohibition question had been made a paramount issue. and he stated that it was a question which must soon be settled by the vote of the people of Alabama.
 'I am conscious" said the speaker s.thut the eyes of some people are upon