German-american Day

German-American day was celebrated in this county on Wednesday last, at Manchester. The celebration was in every way a great success. The business places of Manchester were handsomely decorated and three beautiful arches spanned the streets. About 5,000 people were present and took part in the celebration and everything passed off pleasantly, quietly and happily. The Ann Arbor contingent who were present returned with cheery faces and speak in high terms of the celebration of the day. The railroads brought in many visitors but many more came in wagons. Bands of music from Monroe, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Jackson and Saline enlivened the day with music. The procession of the day was a very long one. School children with United States flags were in the van followed by the President and speakers of the day, tfie village and township officers and the following societies: Ann Arbor A. U. V., Turnverein, A. O. U. W. , Harugari lodge, Schwaebischen U. V., Landwehr U. V., and United Friends, the Ypsilanti A. U. V., Chelsea Arbeiter Verein, Manchester K. of H., Arbeiter Verein and other societies . A cavalry companyfrom Freedom sixty strong, armed with spears, wagons of the county agricultural society and from the towns of Bridgewater, Sharon, Ann Arbor, Sylvan, Webster, Northfield, Dexter, Scio, Augusta, Pittsfield, Lima, York,. SuperI ior, Lyndon and Freedom and the Manchester merchants were also in the procession. The Bridgewater wagon representing Germania was very fine and was drawn by two beautiful horses. The Germán general, Armenius, who defeated the Roman general, Varus, in the year 9 B. C., was represented in armor, surrounded by four or five attendants armed with heavy war clubs and wearing the ancient head dress. At the grounds a substautial dinner was served in a tent which seated 250 at a time, the dinner. consisting of genuine Germán dishes, greatly enjoyed by those present. A. F. Freeman, Esq., of Manchester, delivered a neat address of welcome to the various Germán societies of the county. He spoke of the fact that they met as patriotic American citizens. The Germans of the county were of the highest class of citizens, prudent, honorable and saving. He dwelt especially upon the fact that it was not German day but German-American day that they celebrated. Paul G. Suekey. president of the day, was the orator of the occasion. His speech is so highly spoken of, that we aim to give it in full next week. The crowded condition of our columns and the fact that we could not get a proper translation in time, precludes our giving it this week. A speech was also made by a New York travelling agent for a Schwabian paper of that city. The Ann Arbor people had headquarters which were well patronized. During the afternoon the five bands, numbering 90 musicians, got together and played in unisón under the leadership of Mr. Boehme of the Monroe band. The Landwehr of this city and of Sharon, and the cavalry company from Freedom had a sham battle in the afternoon which furnished considerable amusement. It resulted much more fortunately than the real battles, for no one was killed. Take it all in all, the day was most appropiatelycelebrated. There was no disturbance of any kind whatever. The arrangements were well made and carried out, and every one enjoyed the day. It was determined to hold the celebration next year at Ypsilanti.