The Washington herald., 1913-10-19
Trip to Mount Vernon VIII Be
a Featme-Addresses VIII
Be Made and Chorus Songs
Rendered IN the Evening.


pslrrimage 10 Mt. Vernon. where
patriotic tribute VIII be paid TO WASH
luRton, the Father OF His Country. in
the form Of speechmaking and song, viii
be the principal feature OF the celebra-
lion of German Day tomorrow, and
every Indication points to one of the larg-
est demonstrations OF this kind ever held
by the Germans of this city. The fes-
tivities will be continued in the evening
at Saengerbund Hall, where prominent
speakers viii dwell on the history of the
Germans in this country and their con-
trfbutions to the civilization and great
ness of the United States, and singing
societies will render a number of chorus
songs under the direction OF Prof Ar
mand Gumprecht.
Although the celebration is under the
joint auspices of the United German So
cieties and the United Singers, it is the
wish of the committee in charge that not
only every German, whether he be 4
member of any Of the German societies
Or not. but every true lover of liberty,
attend the festivities.
Germans in This Country.
A short review of the history of the
Germans in this country and their ac-
complishments follows:
Ever since America wac colonized
immigration has been a matter OF vital
Importance TO this country. But for
the constant stream of immigrants to
Its shores our country would not be what
Il Is today. The newcomers and their
descendants have made the United States
the great and rich nation We are.
II has always been the proud claim
sf America that It is the asylum of the
oppressed the world over. All countries
Of Europe have furnished their quota
Of humanity seeking in this country a
haven of rest from political, religious,
and social oppression, and a field of ac-
tivity to improve their material condi-
ton No single European country can
Justly claim to be the mother country
Of the American republic. Though the
original thirteen colonies owed allegiance
10 Great Britain, IL is doubtful IL there
would be any United States today were
It not for the part taken in the revolu-
tion by the German settlers. 1t is more
likely we should have an English do
ninion like Canada
As early as I772 influential Germans of
Philadelphia organized a society to en-
courage resistance to British authority
IN the colonies After the Boston tea
party episode they appointed a COM
mittee to correspond with their German
kinsmen OF the other colonies urging
them to get ready for the conflict which,
the militia in shape and forming new
military organizations, while those who
could not enlist for any reason were to
be urged to contribute to the patriotic
cause according to their ability.
For Freedoms Cause.
When the great revolutionary storm
broke out the German colonists sided
almost unanimously with the cause of
freedom. From all German settlements,
from Georgia to the Mohawk Valley,
the volunteers streamed to Washington's
banners, and while they helped to win
the decisive battles, those that remained
at home guarded the frontiers of the
West against hostile incursions from the
English and the Indians. 1t has often
been told and sung how young Pastor
Muhlenberg, the later general and friend
Of Washington. at the close Of his fare
well sermon to his German congrega-t
tion in Virginia, slipped of his cape and
Etood in full armor in the pulpit, while
the congregation iubilantlv sang "Ein
Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott'' "a Mighty
Fortress Is Our God) No less renowned
Is the deed OF Herkeimer, who, at the
head of 5000 men, nearly all Germans,
threw himself against twice as many
Englishmen and Indians and inflicted
upon them a defeat which proved
decisive for the surrender of Bur-
EOyne at OdIdlOEd AAl0Coos Aoh
the whole war. Two other Germans made
names for themselves as generals IN the
War of the Revolution, De Kalb and
Won Steuben.
1t is customary in some quarters to
claim an English origin for whatever
lasting good has been done in this coun-
try and to refer to our American civil-
cation as "Anglo-Saxton," utterly ignor-
ing the large share the Germans, Scandi-
nayians Dutch. Swiss as well as the
French have had in building and form
ing the American nation. Official figures
give the number OF Germans emigrating
to the United States during the period |
from 1871 to 1900 from the German En-
pire and Switzerland as 6,S5,4R. The |
figures would be much larger IL Germans
from Alsace-Lorraine prior to 1870 had |
not been entered as Frenchmen, and Ger |
mans from Russian colonies as Russians. |
The immigration from Great Britain dur |
ing the same period was only 3,024,z2,
and that from Ireland 3Si, ,253 Taking |
into consideration the vast immigration |
from other countries, it is seen that the |
Anglo-Saxon influx has formed but q |
very small fraction Of the total.
CuItivators of Soil.
The great West was not won for CIV |
llization by the AngIo-Celts. This honor |
belongs pre-eminently TO the German |
farmers who formed the vanguard of |