A Successful Celebration

Was the Annual Observance of German Day

FINE ADDRESSES

Were Delivered to Attentive Audience Meeting to be Held in Ann Arbor Next Year

Chelsea, August 6.--Never has the celebration of German-American Day been more pleasant than today. People visited, which although a homely expression means much. It means they had a thoroughly good time. If they have as good a time next year in Ann Arbor more cannot be expected. As I stated in my first letter today, there was no lagging on the part of the Chelsea committee. The speakers were in the stand and the speaking started promptly at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon. A large crowd was in attendance, who were evidently interested as shown by the close attention paid to the speakers. This was fully justified, as the speakers were all men of more than ordinary prominence, and all men whose names were familiar to those who heard them. Hon. Frank Glazier, president of the village, in a happy manner figuratively gave the visitors the "keys" of the "city." He then introduced Charles Werner, of Detroit, president of the Allegemeiner Arbeiter Bund, of the state of Michigan. Mr. Werner has a pleasant personality, a good voice and is enthusiastic for all that concerns Germans and their descendants in America. He spoke in German and said in substance: "I have received the honorable duty to say a few words at the celebration of your German-American day, although public speaking is not quite in my line, as is the case of my respected English fellow speakers, whose voices are heard in the political arena and in the halls of the capital. I assure' you truthfully, that never have I undertaken a duty so cheerfully as to to come to Chelsea and speak an earnest word to my German fellow citizens. Why? When I consider that this is the fourteenth time that the counties of Washtenaw and Jackson meet together in memory of the Germanic origin of many of their citizens and to keep alive their customs. When I further recollect that the counties of Washtenaw and Jackson are alone in the large state of Michigan who announce in this way their Germanic origin, and are an example for their German fellow citizens in the whole country, I would not myself be a German if I did not rejoice with my whole heart and hasten to accept your invitation to be here on this day and help to celebrate it. Therefore, as I have said, I regard it as an honor to be among you today and therefore when the call carne to me I came to celebrate with you this German day.

"I did not come among you as an orator, but as a German fellow citizen, speaking in the German language, which has been honored like no other language, to help you celebrate the day that has brought us together.

"The German day? Why do we celebrate it in Chelsea today? What is its meaning? Is it a day devoted to idle play and pastime, if we with self-pleasing race conceit meet yearly about a barrel of beer and have games? If I was convinced that this was the meaning, a thunder storm would have annihilated me ere I would have come from Detroit to Chelsea and spoken a word. Then would the name of 'German day' be a slander of German thought and spirit. No, gentlemen, German day has a deeper meaning, a moral idea, a meaning of German culture, of German life, otherwise the celebration would accomplish no results. Its meaning and aim are clear. In Germany no German day is celebrated, because every day is a German day. The necessity there to show one's culture and to continue German ideas of life are not necessary. But we who are on strange soil and meet a foreign culture, find it necessary to continually maintain our position to save what we value in the German character. To us a German day is necessary to convince ourselves of our origin, and to let the Americans know that we are here. Yes. we are here. We are in the country by millions and have brought a culture with us. We cultivate German song and music, and give to the land whole-souled citizens. We cultivate cheerfulness and sociability in this strenuous American life. We have German schools, churches and societies in which the German language is at home. To maintain and keep these is our object. Our aim is to force respect from the Americans. Recollect, we do not celebrate the German day for ourselves, because we need no German day, but that we are among Americans, who see in us strangers foreigners. and on their account do we make the announcement. Because of the isolation, in consequence of the tenacity of the German language and customs, is the respect of the Americans challenged, and we are not considered as real Americana, as for example the Irish, who have no real language of their own. When election day approaches and the dear politicians need us, we are their 'German friends,' but otherwise are we 'Dutchmen,' and really do not belong to the country. But there are twelve millions such in the land, Germans who are proud that German blood flows in their veins, and are as good Americans as the descendants of English convicts who entered this hemisphere from convict ships. With the full conviction that we are German subjects of the American republic, we should stand together to counsel the furtherance of German existence in the new home. To accomplish this is the meaning of the German day.

"Considering our enormous representation, we do not become politically as prominent as would naturally be the case. The Irish, who are much less in numbers, control offices and honors which include political power. For this, are we not most to blame ourselves? The German, with his honesty, his usefulness and his high ideals, must enter the political arena, the battlefield for the rights of man. There it is, where we can grasp by the collar the bigoted temperance swindlers and the unsalted nativism. Not at home or with the often misused ballot box. Then only when we have become a political power, can we maintain our fathers' heritage of German life and culture and receive merited respect where now we are only tolerated. By keeping up your German day, you will receive equal justice from the Americans, upon whom no self-conceited hypocrite looks down.

"We are Germans by lineage, if born in this country, or by naturalization. Morally have we staid Germans and will remain so until our end. Blood remains blood, even if you give up your language and speak the classical English, and lose all love for the old fatherland, you cannot put away your German temperament and this will continue long after we are gone. Therefore, hold fast to the German temperament and be what you should be. A German-American, an American who is German, is as good and honorable American as those whose ancestors lived in England, Scotland or Ireland and there spoke a borrowed, the English, language.

"Where German reunions and festivals are held in Michigan, and German ideas and customs are taught, there always find that the Arbeiter Vereins, 84 in number with over 10,000 members, are the leaders. This is today the case in Chelsea. Its society has existed for many years and has the respect of the citizens. Every member should feel proud of its record, and work for its success.

"If ever efforts are made to lessen the influences of German day, stand up for them. May the day continue to be celebrated, and as German-Americans give it its full recognition."

After the conclusion of Mr. Werner's speech the Concordia, the well known singing society of Jackson, gave one of its always pleasing songs. The members have good voices, and have the rare faculty, or patience, to be willing to be well drilled.

Hon. Charles Townsend, member of congress, was then introduced. Mr. Townsend spoke of the German influence on the American nation. The strong love of home and the instincts and desire for liberty possessed by the Germans. He dwelt especially on their home life. He spoke in eulogistic terms of the Germans fighting for their adopted country. He had been invited to this meeting by Mr. William Judson, and it was sad to think that one who had taken so much pains to make it a success could not be there.

Then carne a very unique feature in the program. Ex-Prosecuting Attorney Michael J. Lenamn recited a most feeling and appropriate original poem, which was extremely well received.

Attorney W. W. Wedemeyer was then introduced, although this was hardly necessary, Chelsea being his old stamping ground, where every man, woman and child knows him. He spoke of what the German-American pioneers had accomplished in the past 50 years, and how they had helped develop the country. With all love for the fatherland, they were the highest type of American citizens. The great characteristics of the Germans were faith in God Almighty. He quoted what Bismack said, "We Germans fear nothing in the world, but God." Young German-Americans should keep up their German language as it was an immense advantage to be masters of two languages: Over five million Germans had immigrated to this country and believing in the Rooseveltian idea had greatly multiplied.

The last speaker was Hon. Wm. Alden Smith, of Grand Rapids. Mr. Smith kept the crowd interested and spoke some sense and some nonsense, the latter causing much laughter. He said he was glad to visit the early home of Mr. Wedemeyer. He had been asked how he could represent a constituency of 40,000 Dutch and not speak a word of German. There was a vast difference between Dutch and German. He had great respect for the Germans. They were a great people. The country would not be so great if it was not for its foreign born population. The mixing of blood had made the country the strongest in the world. Some people thought the country would go to the dogs if it was not for the foreign born population in the United States. He knew some church people would tremble if they thought the people of another church would be in control. He believed that if every American north of the Mason and Dixon line who had fought in the rebellion had died, and every American south of that line would rule this country, it still would be safe. He was cosmopolitan enough to believe that the country was greater than any set of men. What made America invincible was its love of freedom. His advice to those elements in the country who did not like its flag and adhered to the governments from which they came, was that they had better pack their trunks and go back to the country from whence they came. He was glad he had come then. The man who invited him was lying dead. He was glad to talk to the men who fought the battles of life. "Be an optimist, above everything. Don't find fault with yourself or your neighbors. Love your neighbors. Love your wife and if you have none, get one before leave Chelsea. One of your good citizens has an ambition. I can tell it in his sharp black eyes. I hope it will be fulfilled. I glory in what he has accomplished and look for him to take greater strides in the future. I knew your good state senator when he was in the senate. He is a good man." He then proceeded to say very kind words of Senator Glazier.

The exercises concluded with another tuneful song of the Concordia Gesang Verein of Jackson.

Then followed the rest of the afternoon's program consisting of races and an exciting ball game, in which the Ann Arbor team defeated the Jackson Independents with a score of 4 to 3. The prison city men had loaded up their team with the choice of the several Jackson teams and played a very strong fielding game. MulholIand, Jackson's star pitcher, was on the firing line and McCain did the pitching stunt for Ann Arbor, having by far the best end of the argument.

The game was very exciting from start to finish and ended in a heart-rendering finish with Jackson men on second and third and one run needed to tie the score. A pop fly to Cushing ended the game. The umpire, "Buff" Kirk, gave perfect satisfaction.

As the shades of night approached the admirable D., Y., A. A. & J. electric road service put in its work, and while cars constantly were taking people home, there were other cars bringing more people to Chelsea to view the fireworks. These were pleasing and would have been a great success, if there had not been an accident. Through probable want of care, the fireworks ignited, and from the stand bombs, roman candles, etc., shot out into the crowd. Everyone can be truly thankful that only a few slight injuries are reported. It was a late hour until the village settled down into its usual quietude.

At the meeting of the delegates of the German societies, the question of where German-American Day should be held next year took some time to settle. A number of ballots were taken, the vote standing six for Ann Arbor, six for Jackson, and one for Saline. At last the lot fell to Ann Arbor. During the afternoon it was generally thought Jackson would carry the day, as that city was so well represented.

ENGENE K. FRUEAUFF.