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Widukind Lodge, No. 9
The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, August 2, 1891 SONS OF HERMAN Anniversary Picnic of Widukind Lodge, No. 9, at Lelardoux Park One year ago, and under circumstances not altogether favorable, Widukind Lodge, No. 9, Sons of Hermann, was organized in Denison and, as its name indicates, the society is German. In honor of its first anniversary the lodge gave a reception and general basket picnic at Lelardoux Park, corner of Elm street and Mirick avenue, Sunday evening, to which a number of friends were invited. The grove, many acres in extent, was prepared for the occassion. Seats were arranged under the branches of century oaks, a dancing pavilion occupied a square in an open space. Long tables, on which was spread a sumptuous repast, were arranged near other tables over which was dispensed countless glasses of ice-cold lemonade and Tony Fuast celebrated beverage. The crowd began gathering about 4 o'clock and from then until about 2 o'clock Monday morning Denison never contained a more agreeable and social throng. Rosenberg's band was present and between speeches excellent music was rendered. At about 5 o'clock, Mr. Frederick Klapp, vice-president of the Sons of Hermann and ex-president of the Widukind Lodge of Denison, stepped up on the pavilion and delivered a most eloquent address in German. Perfect attention was given the speaker, and at its conclusion he was the receipient of many and hearty congratulations. Mr. Klapp said: "Laides and gentlemen and brethren of Widukind Lodge, No. 9: We have met to-day to celebrate the first anniversary of the birth of our lodge, and our thoughts naturally recur to the ancient history and time-honored traditions of Germany. The Germans of olden time were brace, but they were not united and as a natural result of their tribal and factional jealousies, and quarrels they were frequently overrun and conquered by other nations. And even here in our adopted country we know that from one cause and another German-Americans have been kept apart in thought and action and much that they might have won by unity has slipped from their grasp by the lact of it. There was a time, and not so very long ago, when German language, thought and customs had made scarcely an impresiion upon American society or government. May German born citizens not only neglected their mother tongue, but went out of their way to convey the idea that they were not German by birth. "To resist and stay this thoughtless and ungrateful tendency a band of true and noble Germans in the east came together and founded the order of Hermann's Soehne. They gave the new order that name in honor of Hermann, the Cherusker prince, who, in spite of his youth, united the discordant elements, brought the various tribes together and in the Teutoburger Wald overthrew the Roman legions and freed the German people from the Roman yoke. 'Be united and we will succeed,' he cried, and when the Roman emperior, Augustus, heard the sad news, he exclaimed in despair: "Varus, Varus, bring back my legions." Brethren, I am reminded that 23 years ago this very week, in company with several youthful friends, I visited the Teutoburger Wald and standing there by the then uncompleted monument of Hermann, which a grateful and united country was erecting to his memory, we joined in those stirring words: "Heil dem Helden Armin! Auf den Schild hebt inh! Zeight ihn den unsterblichen Ahenen, Solche Fuehrer wie er, Gieb uns, Wodan, mehr, Und dre Weltsie gehoert den Germanen." "My friends, as the noble Hermann united the Germans of old, so would he have the German-Americans united in thought and purpose, in our social life, in our love for the German language, German thought and German customs; these things would he have us struggle for and hold fast to. During the past 50 years, since the founding of our noble order, the German-American position in America has greatly improved. The study of the German language has become a fixed part of the curriculum in the public schools in many parts, and now the thought and customs of the Fatherland are beginning to make an impression. The order of the Sons of Hermann now exists and flourishes in 18 of the 44 states of the union, and there are about 2,000 members. With the political or religious predilections of its members the order has nothing to do. We do not seek members because they are politicians, religious controversalists or infidels; we seek only to draw Germans to us to work with us to carry out the noble purposes of the order, and not only German born and the descendants of Germans, but true Americans who understand the German people and their language and appreciate the great work done for the enlightenment of humanity by German writers and thinkers. We are as one great family and we call each other by a beautiful name of brother. Autocracy and egoism have no foothold among us. In case of need, or that of death, we stand by one another and seek to soften every affliction, and love and friendship at such a time has indeed real worth. This interest attaches not only to the sick or dying brother, but to those who lean upon him for support and he may close his eyes in peace as he passes through the valley of the shadow of death for he knows that those h must leave behind will be tenderly cared for by his brethren of the Sons of Hermann. Truly an order that has such noble purposes and is guided by such sterling principles deserves well of Germans and German-speaking people. As to the brief history of our own lodge I need only say that it has withstood all storms that have beaten upon it from without and having passed through them and other trials has emerged from them all greatly strengthened, and with joy and hope goes ever onward and upward. In closing let me exhort you to be ever active in friendship, love and truty, for these are the brightest jewels in the crown of human existence." Following the speech of the ex-president, Mr. Martin Kohl, secretary, read an article from the Austin Vorwaerts which provoked much merriment. Mr. Aug. Knecht "next" took the stand and astonished his friends with his effort. He has oratorical powers of a high order and on this occasion covered himself with glory. After each address the refreshment stands were generously patronized. The larger portion of the attendance was composed of ladies and children. Between 6 and 7 o'clock someone announced the appearance of Col. I.M. Standifer and the announcement was the signal for a unanimous cry, "Standifer! Standifer!" The city attorney yielded to the pressing invitation, speaking about 5 minutes. After this music and dancing was the order of the evening until the arrival of Mayor Tone, when the enthusiasm of the jolly Sons of Hermann fairly bubbled over. Music and dancing ceased, the city's chief executive, yielding to an urgent call to deliver an address, said: "It affords me at all times pleasure to meet with you, German-Americans of Denison, and to testify to my appreciation of your good citizenship. You have ever been good friends of min, and I have tried to win your approval and reciprocate your friendly bearing and feeling. It affords me especial pleasure to be with you t-night because I have but just returned from that ancient yet wonderfully progressive country which you lovingly call the Fatherland, and in which many of you were born. My visit was of brief duration, and of course, I did not see much of Germany; yet I was in Bremen, Berlin, Cologne, Frankford, Mainz and Metz, and made the trip up the world famous Rhine. We Americans are apt to think there is nothing like America, but if one would have the conceit knocked out of him one need only go over to Germany. It is a great, a wonderful country. There I saw large cities, and many fine buildings, that have existed some for hundreds and others for thousands of years and everywhere an air of thrift and a picture of industry and contentment that was pleasant to behold. Berlin, in my judgment, is the best governed city in the world. It is very large in area and in population; its streets are wide, splendidly paved and clean. Its public buildings and parks are numerous, elegant and well kept. Public order is nowhere better; indeed, in my stay in Germany I saw but on man under the influence of liquor and he was in an 'American restaurant' in Berlin. I was delighted, on the whole, with Germany, and was everywhere received with open-hearted hospitality. In conclusion, however, let me say that while Germany is charming and while a man of wealth or even moderate means may live there and enjoye himself, besides having the advantages offered by a land where music, science, art and literature have reached the highest standards, still for the man who, like you and your humble servant, has to rustle and earn his living, America is the place." The mayor's address elicited much enthusiasm and at the conclusion the announcement was made that another fresh keg was on tap. A variety of games were provided for the children, and to make the occasion all the more memorable, each child was made the receipeint of a present. The Hermann's Soehne Maennerchor rendered excellent vocal music, interspersing patriotic and popular songs whenever there was a lull in the festivities.  German Organizations Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |