Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-06
Address of Kurt Voelckner.


Kurt Voelckner first addressed the del!
egates, and in a few words, spoken IN
German. in which language the entire
proceedings were conducted, welcomed
the delegates to Washington. He in
troduced Commissioner Rudolph one
of their own, in whose VEINS ran German
blood. and whose career typired the full
meaning Of the national aiiiance, the es-
taDilsnment of the true German -Ameri-
can spirit.
Commissioner Rudolph said:
You have come to the city from all
parts of the country to discuss and de-
nberate over the destiny of the ALT
ance. We are bound together by strong
ues-ties which are binding us through
political and commercial connections. we
are men of one language and one sentt-
ment We are not divided by the bound
aries of states. but united on common
mutual principles, love for religious and
civic hoerty, iove of country, friendship
and loyalty.
1T is the purpose of the alliance to
weld the Germans of this country into
one harmonious and working BODY, and
by SO doing You can accomplish gigantic
tasks, such as Bismark overcame in
1871
Col Martin Wiegand next spoke in be-
half of the committee. His speech was
received by the delegates with shouts of
approval when he told them that the Ma
tional Capital belonged much to them
as to any native-born American citizen
Col. Wiegand referred to the advan-
tages of Washington as convention
city. and its great interest to people from
all over the world. He hoped that the
visit OF the delegates to W ashngton
would prove at least an inspirat- on for
each to become a better American and to
work all the harder for tnat feeling of
unity that is spreading so widely among
the Germans OF the country.
Reports Are Made.
Following Col Wiegand's address. the
reports of various officers were read and
discussed, and the remainder of the morn
ing was given over entirely to official
business. DR.. HeXamer. president of the
alliance, read his annual report, which
was received cordially by the delegates,
and in which he set down the underlying
principles and purposes of the alliance.
Two million German citizens, he set
forth, are represented by the delegates
from every state in the Union. DIR. Hex
amer pointed out as the fundamental pur
poses of the alliance 1.-The conservation of
the principles of representative govern
merit and the protection and maintenance
of all civil and political rights; the pro-
lection of German immigrants against
imposition and deception, and TO assist in
their naturalization; the cultivation of the
German language literature and drama
ard the perpetuation of the memory and
deeds of those early German pioneers
whose influence has been of incalculabie
benefit to the intellectual and economic
development of this country. and whose
loyalty in times of stress and strife IS a
matter of history.
Resolutions touching on the political and
industrial development of the country, as
well relating to its social structure,
will be introduI ed by the delegates. Most
prominent among these will pe the DIS
cussion of the re-establishment OF army
canteens. open Sunday laws and the cur
riculum of public schools.
Pilgrimage to Mount Vernon.
The entire delegation left Washington
this afternoon the steamer Charles
Manchester on pilgrimage to Mount
Vernon in connection with the celebration
of German day, under the auspices of
Arion Gesang Verein. whose president.
John WiSchhusen. is chairman of the COM
mittee for the occasion.
1t has been the annual custom of the
Arion society to go a pilgrimage to
Mount Vernon on German day, but this
year, in honor of the visiting delegates,
it was decided that the society would
unite with the convention in celebration
of the day and invite the delegates to
participate in the annual pilgrimage.
A feature of the afternoon at Mount
Vernon was the singing of chorals by the
Arion singers, uhuer the ulrecuon OF
Prof Kari Holer. when the body of
singers assembled before the tomb of
Washington and solemnly chanted the
hvmns dear to the 'fatherland." The
entire delegation Joined in at. various
periods with the singers, which was a
most impressive feature of the services.
In addition to the singing, there were
addresses by Mr.. Wischhusen. an address
in English by Simon Wolf and one in
German by Col. Ernest c. Stahl of New
ark, N j. The addresses We're simple
and befitting the occasion when German
Americans gathered to honor the memory
OF the father of their adopted country.
Simon VOLTS Address.
What Mecca IS to the faithful Mos
lem Mount Vernon should be to every
patriotic American, and. indeed. to all
lovers of human freedom" Mr.. Wolf !
said. Let this monient be the occa-
sion for the slogan to go forth that