Year: 1860




The gymnastic exhibition of the German
Turner's, at their hall, last evening, was not
SO largely attended as the very great merit of
ther performances deserved. But there was
a pleasant and appreciative audience. The
exercises OF the evening were introduced with
a speech in German by Mr. Bernhard Boe-
nisch, president of the Turner's society. Then
followed the gymnastics, which were really
very admirable, Some of the performances of
Mr. Frederick Huff, who was quite foremost
among these accomplished gymnasts, chaI
lengcd and won the most enthusiastic ap-
plause. At the close, Mr. Boenisch delivered
the following address in English =


"LadieS aud GeRtlemea,-It Is pleasing to
observe the interest you have manifested on
this and former oc asi1ns connected with this
society. 1t is evident that the people of this
city are convinced Of the benefits mind and
body derive from gymnastic exercises. We
German Turner's want to do some good in our
own sphere, and although we met with many
difficulties and great opposition, yet our most
ardent opponents acknowledge that the Turn.
ers do benefit mankind by the cultivation OF
the physical and mental faculties,


Encouraged by your constant lavors and by
our own success, we persevered in our glorious
work, and prospered. We have appeared to.
night before you, citizens of Worcester, who
sympathze with Us and cherish our principles.
We stand before men in whose hearts our
chants OF liberty echo and re echo. There
fore, Ladies and gentlemen, we German Turn
erS will always greet you with hearty wei
come here.


However | am not here 10 deliver an cx-
tended address on the interesting subject Of
gymnastics. But let me remark before | close
that the benefits mind and body derive from
gymuastic exercises render them matter Of
great importance to all Now, the Germans
were the first who introduced physical cxcr.
CiSes into their school and institutions, thus
attaining harmonious cultivation Of the
mind and # the body, and IN this man.
ncr producing powerful race OF men able TO
maintain and defend their fights. Salzmann
ChristOph Gutsmutlr und above all Johsn our
beloved Iurniathcr, founded the first German
gymnasium in the year l185, and they did all
in their power and particularly by their writ
ings to introduce gymnaslic eXercisrs, SO that
1t spread III very short time all over Ger
many, yes, over the whole globe The Turn
er societies IN Germany are now the NURSERIES
Of the German race and the hopes of the Ger
man people, amt although every word, every



Of despots, yet the time may be very near
when German Turner's, when Germans will
break their bondage, shake off the yoke of
tyranny and hail their brethren this side Of the
Atlantic. But we, we Turner's who already
enjoy the blessings Ol liberty our duty is TO
aid in this glorious Union with all our might
and all our strength.


1t is our duty to educate ourselves 50 as to
enable us to enjoy the privileges OF this our
adopted free couutr'.


Ii is our duty to cultivate spirit of brother
| hood.


1t is our duty 10 battle against superstition,
to advocate the truth and 10 move onward in
the road Of progression.


! Oar principles should be as fixed as the
polar star, and as true as the needle 10 the
pole.


Ladies and gentlemen, in the name of the
German Turner'S, thank you tor the interest
you have manifested at this exhibition, and we
hope that we shall always merit the same favor
Of the people OF Worcester