Report26Prahlp1629.pdf

HISTORY OF THE GERMAN GYMNASTIC MOVEMENT

OF BALTIMORE

By AUGUSTUS J. PRAHL

Baltimore played a rather important

part in the early history of American

Turnerism. Here the "Sozial-demo-

kratische Turnverein of Baltimore" was

founded in 1849 shortly after similar

societies had been established in New

York, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and

Boston. Its cradle stood, according to

Louis Hoffmann, in the courtyard of an

inn owned by two Germans, Auer and

Lauer, at the corner of Liberty and

Saratoga Streets. The Turners Carl

Giller, Conrad H. Becker, Louis Binder-

wald, and Adam Geyer were supposed

to have been the first who investigated

the founding of a Turnverein. In 1850

the society in Baltimore counted a mem-

bership of 278 and was the strongest of

the seventeen gymnastic organizations

then existing in the United States.

The "Social-demokratische Turnve-

rein Baltimores" must be considered

the progenitor of all the gymnastic as-

sociations which sprung up in the

course of time in Baltimore. Albert von

Degen in the book Baltimore, seine Ver-

gangenheit und Gegenwart speaks of it

as "the center of the Germans in pre-

Civil War days." Only a few facts are

known about the early history of this

organization. It was instrumental in

the founding of the national organiza-

tion, the "Sozialistische Turnerbund."

The first national gathering was held in

Baltimore, in September, 1852.

It was at the occasion of the first na-

tional Turnfest in 1852 that the Ger-

man Turners came face to face with the

antagonism of such "native" gangs as

the "Know-nothings," the "Blood Tubs,"

the "Plug Uglies," etc., all of which

helped Baltimore to secure the title

"Mobtown." Karl A. M. Scholtz gives

the following account of the event: "It

was on the eleventh of September, 1852,

when as a part of the entertainment a

picnic with gymnastic exercises and

sports had been arranged at the Fair

Grounds on Charles Street, above what

is now North Avenue, that rowdy gang-

sters sought to break up the picnic by

rushing the gate and breaking into the

grounds. They failed to count on the

discipline maintained by the Turners, so

they were beaten off and driven out.

They took revenge by waylaying indi-

viduals homeward bound from the fest.

To ward off further attacks on the re-

turn home in the evening, a long pro-

cession was formed; in the middle the

women and children were placed, at

the head of the line and bringing up

the rear was the Turner rifle corps.

With flags flying and drums rolling the

body marched townward. Several desul-

tory attacks were attempted, fortunately

without bloodshed. The while this was

happening the friendly Irish, from what

was then known as Frenchtown (the

section around the Western Maryland

R. R. Station) came to aid. There was

no further disturbance that evening."

When in 1855 the national organiza-

tion, at its meeting in Buffalo accepted

an anti-slavery platform, the "Social-

Democratic Turnverein" of Baltimore

supported this program, thus doing its

share in preventing the creation of a

new regional organization intended by

several societies located in the South.¹

On the other hand, the sharp criti-

cism of the spirit of the Turnzeitung,

launched by the Baltimore society, was

the cause for a dissension which had

'The Turnvereine of Houston, Texas; Charleston, S. C.; Savannah, Ga.; Augusta, Ga., and

Mobile, Ala., were in opposition to the platform of 1855 and withdrew from the national organization.

The first mentioned made an attempt to found a Turnerbund on Southern basis—a friendly attitude to-

ward slavery. This attempt failed miserably, due to the faithfulness of the other Vereine in the slave-

holding states, chiefly the "Social-Democratic Turnverein" of Baltimore and the Turnvereine in Louis-

ville, Ky.; Covington, Ky.; Newport, Ky.; St. Louis, Mo., and Wheeling, W. Va. Only the Turnverein

in New Orleans, La., joined the opposing party in 1857. For detailed information see: Heinrich Huhn,

"Die Spaltung und die Wiedervereinigung des Turnerbundes," Amerik. Turner-Kalender (1890), p. 26.

[16]

threatened the national organization for

a long time and which was not settled

until after the Civil War.

Shortly before the Civil War Balti-

more became the center of the Turner

movement of the whole country. In

1860 Baltimore was made the "Vorort"

(headquarters) of the Turnerbund. At

a meeting in Williamsburg, N. Y., in

the same year, the Baltimore society

tried to reunite all the Turnvereine, but

this proved impossible. In spite of the

fact that certain Turn-societies had left

the national organization, some prob-

ably compelled by geographical fac-

tors, most of them remained in contact

with the "Vorort."

Fully aware of the seriousness of the

situation the "Vorort" at Baltimore

urged all associated clubs on October

16, 1860, to exercise conscientiously

their right to vote, and to cast their

ballot in favor of the Republican candi-

date. An excerpt of the proclamation

reads as follows: "The Turner strongly

opposes slavery, nativism or any form

of deprivation of rights resulting from

color, religion, or place of birth, since

this is incompatible with a cosmopoli-

tan conception of the world." Another

proclamation was published in the

Turnzeitung on October 23 in which

Lincoln was warmly recommended as

candidate for the presidency.

The early history of the Baltimore

Turnverein would be incomplete with-

out the mention of two names: Carl

Heinrich Schnauffer and Johann Strau-

benmüller.² Both names were well

known not only in Baltimore but in all

German-American circles of the United

States. Both were active in promulgat-

ing the Turner sentiments through the

medium of the Baltimore Wecker and

through their poems which represent in

their powerful and stirring energy of

spirit the best lyric production result-

ing from the Turner movement. Several

of their poems are dedicated to the

"Social-Democratic Turnverein" of Bal-

timore.

With the approach of the Civil War

the situation of the Baltimore Turners

became very precarious. Two days after

the bombardment of Fort Sumter and

Lincoln's call to arms, in April, 1861,

a company of Baltimore Turners went

to Washington and offered their serv-

ices to the government. This company,

with the Washington and Georgetown

Turners, was the first corps of volun-

teers. Although the leaving of the Bal-

timore Turners had been carried out

with the greatest secrecy, the Southern

sympathizers of Baltimore had re-

ceived news of it. On April 20, 1861,

the "Social-Democratic Turnverein" re-

ceived the ultimatum to hoist the Mary-

land State flag instead of flying the

Stars and Stripes. This request to show

Southern sympathies was promptly re-

fused. On April 20, 1861, late in the

evening, a mob supposedly led by a

German forcefully broke into the gym-

nasium located at 300 West Pratt Street,

burning all the papers and destroying

all movable furniture. The same fate

overtook the office of the Baltimore

Wecker (April 22), where the Turn-

zeitung was printed. The result of

these happenings was that many Ger-

mans considered it wise to leave the

city, among them the editors of the

Turnzeitung, Wilhelm Rapp and Dr.

G. E. Wiss, joining the Union forces in

large numbers.

It is but natural that during the Civil

War the activities of the "Social-Demo-

cratic Turnverein" of Baltimore—as of

all Turnvereine—came to an end. Once

the war was over, with the return of

A. E. Zucker, "Carl Heinrich Schnauffer," Twenty-fourth Report of the Society for the History

of the Germans in Maryland (1939), 17-23. M. D. Learned, "The German-American Turner Lyric,

Tenth Report of the Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland (1896), 77-134.

This is not the place to treat the part the Turners in Maryland played in the Civil War, since

this question has been investigated by Dieter Cunz, "The Maryland Germans in the Civil War," Mary-

land Historical Magazine, XXXVI, iv (1941), 394-419. A fine compliment was paid the Turners

by Winston Churchill in his book, The Crisis (p. 211). Although here referring to the Turners in

St. Louis, it can, with equal justification, be applied to the Turners in general: "Strange, indeed, that

the striving life of these leaders of a European Revolution has been suddenly cut off in its vigor. There

came to Stephan a flash of that world-comprehension which marks great statesmen. Was it not with

a divine purpose that this measureless force of patriotism and high ideal has been given to this youngest

of the nations, that its high mission might be fulfilled?"

[17]

the Turners, the "Social-Democratic

Turnverein" began to function again.

But with the Civil War the spirit

which had called into life the "Social-

Democratic Turnverein" no longer ani-

mated its members. Many of the older

members had withdrawn from the or-

ganization ; the German element coming

to Baltimore in the sixties represented

a different background; very little

understanding existed on the part of

the American-German element for the

real goals of the Turnerei—all these

factors are responsible for the different

spirit which permeated the society.

Likewise the fact that the gymnastic hall

and the various gymnastic apparatus

had been destroyed in 1861 should not

be forgotten. What part active gym-

nastics played in the sixties is revealed

by the figures that in 1865 out of a

membership of 130 only ten names ap-

peared on the list of Turners. Even the

fact that the Bundesturnfest of 1867

was held in Baltimore with Wilhelm

Rapp as orator of the day and General

Franz Sigel acting as president for this

occasion cannot hide the fact that the

"Social-Democratic Turnverein" was

very much in need of reform. Mate-

rially the Turnverein prospered, for

the many social and money-making fea-

tures which took place in rapid succes-

sion meant material gain for certain

members at least. The club was in the

hands of money-makers. The ideals

and traditions which had meant so much

to the founders were almost forgotten.

Franz Corton sums up the situation in

these words: "Intellectual stimulation

was limited to beer drinking."

This absence of idealism and finan-

cial difficulties which the club experi-

enced toward the end of the sixties led

to the founding of new gymnastic organ-

izations, e. g., the Turnverein "Vor-

waerts" (1867), the "Atlantic Turnve-

rein" (1872), and the "Gymnastische

Pyramiden Club.

The separation from the parental body

was in the case of the "Atlantic Turn-

verein" a rather shortlived affair. After

fifteen years of independent exist-

ence (1887) the "Atlantic Turnverein"

rejoined the "Social-Democratic Turn-

verein," thus pouring new blood into

the veins of the old organization. The

new organization was known by the

name of "Baltimore Turngemeinde."

Under the circumspect guidance of such

men as Wilhelm Eckhardt, John R. Fell-

mann, Fritz List, Otto Türke, Karl

Kroh, Karl Bodenburg, Wilhelm

Schnauffer, and others, the "Baltimore

Turngemeinde" in the course of years

regained the place which the "Social-

Democratic Turnverein" had occupied

in former years. Compelled by finan-

cial setbacks, the "Baltimore Tumge-

meinde" dissolved in 1888 and in the

course of the reorganization adopted the

name "Germania Turnverein."

Thus the history of the German gym-

nastic organizations is limited to two

major societies still in existence: the

"Germania Turnverein" and the Turn-

verein "Vorwaerts." Without regard for

the importance of the two clubs we shall

first follow the history of the "Ger-

mania Turnverein," for, historically

speaking, it is the direct descendant of

the "Social-Democratic Turnverein"

founded in 1849.

Although the various events—separa-

How quickly the German organizations were revived after the Civil War in Baltimore can be

seen from the following statement: "For five days during the month of July, 1868, the city practically

surrendered itself into the hands of the large German element in its population. The occasion was the

eleventh annual Saengerfest of the Northwestern Saengerbund, which opened in the city on the

twelfth of the month. On the 14th a long procession of singing societies and other organizations

marched from the Concordia Opera House on Eutaw Street to the Schuetzen Park, where orations

were delivered by William Rapp and Robert C. Barry . . ." The Turnvereine of Baltimore participated

in this event.—C. C. Hall, Baltimore, its History and its People, I, 221.

This association was founded in October, 1882. Main emphasis was placed on pyramidal figures

in gymnastics and furtherance of the German language. The first officers were: Albert Dogge, presi-

dent; Friedrich Dresel, vice-president; Ferdinand Jacober, treasurer; Friedrich Beckmann, secretary;

Friedrich Herd, financial secretary; Louis Dresel, in charge of apparatus. Information concerning the

nature and workings of the club is extremely scarce. The commands at drill were given in German

and only persons who had a mastery of the German tongue could become active members. How long

this club was in existence is not known. It apparently came to an end in the course of the first

decade of our century. The gymnastic skill of its members must have offered enjoyment to the various

German societies of Baltimore, for mention is often made of its participation in many entertaining and

charitable programs. See: Baltimore, seine Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, p. 235.

Baltimore, seine Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, p. 234; and Das neve Baltimore, p. 102.

[18]

tion, reuniting, and reorganization—

which gradually brought into being the

"Germania Turnverein" were enthusi-

astically instigated by the younger

members for the purpose of placing the

Turnerei on a higher level, neverthe-

less the history of the "Germania Turn-

verein" is fraught with a disaster which

prevented it from playing as important

a part in the 'history of the Germans in

Baltimore as the Turnverein "Vor-

waerts."

The "Germania Turnverein" was

founded on October 9, 1889, at a meet-

ing in the Hall of the Grand Army of

the Republic, located on Baltimore

Street, near Gay Street.

In the same

month the new organization was incor-

porated by the Turners Karl Heise, H.

W. Hofferbert, Karl Hoffmann, P. Rings-

dorf, and P. Bert. The first president

was Karl Hoffmann. The new gymnas-

tic society immediately joined the North

American Gymnastic Association, in

which it has held membership up to

the present time.

Within a short time the membership

rose to 100. The first public appear-

ance of the "Germania Turnverein" was

on the occasion of the celebration of the

Deutsche Tag (German Day) in 1890.

Proceeding from the principle that prac-

tical gymnastics ought to form the

foundation of the Turnverein, the "Ger-

mania Turnverein" tried to find suitable

quarters. A committee appointed for that

purpose selected the property No. 9-11

Post-Office Avenue known by the name

of Lautbecher's Hall. This choice was

approved at the general meeting. To it

was added a gymnasium. The architect

was L. Selkmann. Gym classes for boys

and girls were added at that time. How

seriously the gymnastics were taken can

be seen from the fact that at the celebra-

tion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the

"Vorwaerts," in which the "Turnverein

Germania" participated, the Verein re-

ceived the first prize after keen competi-

tion with many other gymnastic soci-

eties. The figures of the membership

for the year 1894 are preserved and

allow an insight into the size of the

club. Then the "Germania Turnverein"

counted 180 members, of which fifty ac-

tively participated in gymnastics. The

Ladies' Auxiliary counted seventy-five

members, a "Damenklasse" thirty-six

members, a girls' class thirty-two and

boys' classes ninety-six members. The

turn of the century marked the high

point in the history of the "Germania

Turnverein."

In 1904 a great catastrophe overtook

the "Germania." The great Baltimore

fire destroyed their headquarters and

all the records became the prey of the

flames. Likewise all the records of the

"Social-Democratic Turnverein" in-

herited by the "Germania Turnverein"

were destroyed. That is one reason why

no written evidence of the early history

of the "Germania Turnverein" is in

existence.

The following years were times of

wanderings from one place to another.

Fortunately, the "Germania" was guided

through these years of discomfort by

such men as Henry W. Hofferbert

(president for twenty-nine years), Wil-

liam Stewart, John Kaiss, and many

other capable and enthusiastic Turners.

The Fifth Ward Republican Club

granted the society the privilege of meet-

ing in its club house as long as no more

suitable quarters were found. In the

rear of the building was a large lot and

there an outdoor gymnasium was set up,

making use of some of the half-burned,

apparatus saved during the fire. Later

the "Germania" Turners met at Darley

Park Dance Hall, while the meetings

were held at Fritz Fischer's Restaurant.

The lack of a club house was natu-

rally felt very much. The membership

dropped to about 100. But many years

were to pass before the hope of possess-

ing their own club house was to be

realized. Finally, late in the year 1909,

the proper opportunity offered itself; a

property was for sale that was within the

financial reach of the society. It is the

building which still serves as the head-

quarters of the "Germania," located at

1846 North Gay Street. It was bought

at the price of $6,750. At the minimum

of expense this property was converted

into a gymnasium and meeting place.

Baltimore Wecker, November 17, 1894.

[19]

Bazaars and other social affairs helped

at least partly to raise the money. The

moving into the new quarters, the occa-

sion of a great celebration, took place

April 10, 1910. Led by the drum and

bugle corps of the "Germania Turn-

verein," the Turners in gay uniforms

marched from Darley Park to the new

home. In a comparatively short time

the membership rose to 300; the annual

membership fee was set at $8.

The World War period affected the

"Germania" in the same way that it

affected all German organizations in the

United States. On January 23, 1918,

at a general meeting of the "Germania,"

it was decided that a Service Flag should

fly besides the Stars and Stripes on

which the names of the members in mili-

tary service were to appear. In January

1918 eleven members were in active

service.

In the postwar days the "Germania"

has led a very quiet existence. There is

no happening worth recording that

would throw a new light upon the organ-

ization. Very little of the spirit which

created this Turnverein has been pre-

served ; hardly any German is spoken by

its members. The large number of Eng-

lish and Irish names of its members is

a clear indication that the original Ger-

man founding with its ideas of liberal-

ism in politics, religion, and social

standing has become an integral part of

American cultural life.

Much more information is available

concerning the founding and subsequent

history of the Turnverein "Vorwaerts"

(Forward). Its founding is the work of

seven active members of the old "Social-

Democratic Turnverein," who, dissatis-

fied with the conduct of the organization

after the Civil War, decided to form a

new society more in agreement with

their energy, ideas and liberal notions.

The names were: Carl Trowe, Louis Tie-

mann, Ferdinand Wittich, Theodore

Kreutzer, George Schaefer, Hermann

Blume, and Edward Hunsicker. These

together with Emil Dapprich, Gustav

Lehmann, Rudolf Motz, Heinrich Gürth,

August Honig, Karl Knefely, Albert

Dapprich, L. Gaebler, J. Diedrichs, and

L. Wode—the latter a step-son of

Arnold S. Jahn, son of Turnvater Jahn

—met on June 17, 1867 in order to dis-

cuss the necessary steps. The name

"Vorwaerts" was chosen thus giving ex-

pression to the spirit which gave birth

to this new founding.

On June 30, 1867 the constitution was

adopted and the object of the Turn-

verein "Vorwaerts" was stated in section

2 of the Charter as follows:

The object of the Turnverein Vorwaerts is

educational, ethical and social. It has for its

purpose the physical, mental, moral and social

improvement of its members and scholars by

the maintenance of educational classes, lec-

tures, a library and reading room, a gym-

nasium, social meetings, and such other means

as will promote the harmonious development

of body and mind.

In order to prevent a repetition of

conditions which led to the founding of

the new Verein, the constitution dis-

tinguished between "Turners" and

"friends of Turners" (Turnerfreunde),

the latter being passive members having

all the rights and privileges of the active

Turners, without, however, possessing

the right to vote and to be elected to

offices. A further restriction was that

"with the club there should never be

connected either a saloon or anything

else that might be made an object of

business and thereby endanger the true

aims of the club." No mention was

made concerning the political leanings

of the club. Newspaper reports empha-

size its "politically neutral" character.

Other points set forth In the consti-

tution were: The German language

should be used and cultivated by its

members; scientific and cultural lectures

and discussions should be held once a

week. In addition, singing and declama-

tions should find a place on their pro-

grams. The first officers were: Emil

Dapprich, president; Louis Tiemann

and Edward Hunsicker, class leaders;

Gustav W. Lehmann, secretary; Charles

Trowe, treasurer. In order to show what

type of men the founders of the "Vor-

waerts" represented, be it mentioned

that Emil Dapprich afterwards became

head of the German-American Teacher's

Seminar at Milwaukee; Tiemann and

Hunsicker founded businesses of their

own; Lehmann was for many years a

leading analytical chemist in Baltimore,

and Trowe, head of a lithographic firm.

[20]

The Fourth of July—Independence Day

—was chosen as "Stiftungstag" (Found-

er's Day).

The spirit which animated this group

of men is revealed in a public statement

composed by Emil Dapprich. It ap-

peared in Der deutsche Correspondent

after the Wecker had (according to Cor-

tan) refused to accept it. It is given here

in full:

A NEW GYMNASTIC ORGANIZATION

If due to circumstances a corporation which

had for its purpose the realization of a uni-

versally useful idea has been diverted from

its true goal by the disfavor of happenings or

by the selfish interest of guiding men, and if a

return to the original striving is beyond possi-

bility, should it then not be permitted, yes,

even be a necessity to leave such an organiza-

tion and to found a new one which is more

adequate for the attainment of its original

purpose? It is left to the unbiased, sober

judgment of all friends of gymnastics to apply

the above statement to the existing gymnastic

organization here in Baltimore. We, however,

believe to have found a sufficient cause for the

establishment of a new Turnverein, which as

far as it is possible shall have as its one and

only aim the harmonious development of men.

A glance into the constitution of our club

will prove that we might perish but that we

will never deviate from our goal for the sake

of minor and worthless interest. The sad going

astray which "turnen" had to experience here

in Baltimore has impressively cautioned us to

avoid such future situations by adopting pre-

cautionary and preventive measures. Our organ-

ization has taken on the name "Vorwaerts,"

thus signifying the fact that our club shall

never remain on the Status Quo with regard to

our physical and mental state, not to mention

a reverse movement. Even stand-still is per se

a retrogression. The small group of our mem-

bers did not permit us at this time to acquire

for our club such accommodations as we would

like to have and as it deserves to have. The

enthusiasm of our members and friends, in

whose kind assistance we have cause to be-

lieve, will not deceive us; and we express the

hope that in the near future our ardent desire

of possessing adequate quarters, appropriate

for the noble purpose, may be realized.

Numerous are the happenings which

took place in the first year of existence

of the "Vorwaerts." Its first public ap-

pearance took place on August 5, 1867,

at "Muth's altem Schützenhof" in con-

junction with the Apollo Musikverein.

In the same year the "Vorwaerts" rented

the old "Rebenhalle" on the north side

of Fayette Street betweeen Harrison and

Frederick Streets for $600. Thus the

Verein had found its first home, and it

remained its headquarters for twenty-

five years until the "Vorwaerts" was

able to secure its own home on Lexing-

ton Street. To save the club all unneces-

sary expenses which the ebb in its treas-

ury did not allow, the hall was put into

working condition by the members

themselves. The sum of $150 was raised

through voluntary contribution in order

to equip the hall with the necesary ap-

paratus. Realizing that the gymnasium

should be a benefit for the youth, who

upon reaching maturity might join the

Verein and thus give permanency to the

organization, it was decided in the same

year to institute a Gym-School for boys

between the ages of ten and eighteen.

The first "Turnfahrt" (excursion) was

undertaken to Catonsville on October

13, 1867. Among the men who joined

the "Vorwaerts" in 1867 we find the

name of Arnold Siegfried Jahn, the son

of Turnvater Jahn, who was honored by

the club by being presented with the pic-

ture of his father in December 1867.

The treasurer's report for the first six

months of the existence of the Verein

reveals an income of $663.55 as against

an expenditure of $588.19. The helpful

spirit of the members is revealed when

we find in the column "expenditure" the

following items: "For the German

Orphan Home: $12.50; for Turners of

New Orleans suffering from yellow

fever: $25.00." Numerous are the con-

tributions which the "Vorwaerts" made

to various philanthropic purposes in the

course of the years, all of which proves

that the Turners had a soft heart in ad-

dition to hard muscles. Noteworthy is

the regular contribution to the German-

American Teacher's Seminar at Mil-

waukee and to the Orphan Home in Bal-

timore. The sum of $109.50 was sent to

Germany in 1870 for "war-suffering

Germans." Oh February 17, 1868, a

black-white-red flag was given to the

"Vorwaerts" by the Ladies' Section of

the St. John's Parish, Reformed, in ap-

preciation for placing the "Turnhalle"

at their disposal free of charge in con-

nection with a school fair. This is sup-

posed to have been the first German

flag in the possession of an organization

of the city of Baltimore.

The Turnverein "Vorwaerts" was

[21]

formally incorporated on February 18.

1868. In the same year the "Vorwaerts

Liedertafel" (Singing Society) was or-

ganized under the direction of Professor

Gens, who was succeeded by Richard

Ortmann.

In May, 1869, the basis was laid for a

library by L. Tiemann, who presented

the club with a collection of books.

However, not much has been done along

that line and in spite of Lohmann's sug-

gestion in 1872 to equip a reading room

the present collection of books is neg-

ligible.

Only a small delegation of the "Vor-

waerts" participated in the colorful

four-day pageant which was held in cele-

bration of the arival of the first German

steamer in Baltimore, March 23, 1869,

holding thereby to an established prin-

ciple and policy of the Verein to avoid

participation in pompous pageantries.

Their main interest lay, as the following

pages will bring out, in other fields—

in physical and intellectual gymnastics,

and in the former many trophies in the

club house bear witness to their physical

prowess.

In furtherance of cultural aims, in

order to establish a close contact with

the younger generation, a drawing

school for young people was started in

January, 1869. Diedrichs, Volkmar,

and Motz were in charge of instruction.

In November, 1870, Staib and Schleich

were added to the teaching staff. In

spite of its promising start the life of the

school was of brief duration. Lack of

money could in the end not be overcome

by enthusiasm. In 1869, the "Vor-

waerts" counted fifty-five active mem-

bers and fifty-one pupils. That the mem-

bership was not limited to Germans or

Americans of German descent can be

safely concluded from the fact that such

names as James Mullan, John Galloway

and Sam McCarthy are listed as active

members.

The first two honorary members of the

"Vorwaerts" were chosen in the year

1870 in recognition of their untiring

work for the welfare of the Verein:

Richard Ortmann and Heinrich Loh-

mann. To this list were added in the

course of time: H. Guerth, August

Schmidt, C. Trowe, G. W. Spier, August

Joesting, H. Hoenisch, Karl A. M.

Scholtz, and others.

In 1871 the Turners participated in

a parade following the signing of the

Treaty of Peace at Versailles.

In 1872 a decrescent motion set in in

the life of the "Vorwaerts," a situation

which will periodically occur in the his-

tory of any organization and the lasting

of which will depend on how soon the

driving force of outstanding members

of the club will take matters in hand. The

membership had dropped to fifty-three

active and forty-four passive members.

The enrollment in the gym classes for

boys was so low that they seriously con-

sidered closing them. The required reno-

vation of the gymnasium—a constant

large item in the expense account and a

continual source of much irritation—

had accumulated a debt of $600. Under

the guidance of Heinrich Lohmann a re-

organization of the gym classes was

undertaken with such success that at the

exhibition on October 22, 1873, sixty-

three juniors and seventy active Turners

participated. In addition there were

eighty passive members.

A. von Degen in Baltimore, seine Ver-

gangenheit und Gegenwart (p. 235),

makes about the Tumverein "Vor-

waerts" the following statement (1887):

"Ganz besonders hat sich der Vorwaerts auf

geistigem Gebiete die Anerkennung unserer

Mitbürger erworben. Seit den 60iger Jahren

ist er der einzige Verein unsrer Stadt, der

durch Arrangierung von populären Vorträgen

den geistigen Bedürfnissen der Deutschen

Rechnung trägt. Bereitwillig legte sich der-

selbe grosse Opfer auf, im Interesse des Fort-

schrittes und der allgemeinen Bildung. Bedeu-

C. C. Hall, Op. Cit. I, 215.

Nevertheless, in spite of its serious aims, some members must have considered the matter of

attire a question worthy of lengthy discussion. On the occasion of the "Sommernachtsfest" on Septem-

ber 14, 1868, the Turners appeared in their gray linen suits with "straw hat." These straw hats were

chosen as the minutes tell "after an hour of heated debate." The question of hats must have been a

very serious matter with the Turners, for the minutes' of 1869 report in connection with the Saenger-

fest: "Ein hierbei wieder aufgerührter alter Zankapfel (sic!) der Versammlung, betreffs Tragens

eines uniformen Hutes, wurde endlich dahin geschlichtet, dass beschlossen wurde, es jedem Turner zur

Pflicht zu machen, bei derartigen Gelegenheiten im Besitz eines schwarzen, niedrigen Filzhutes von

naher bestimmter Form zu sein."

[22]

tende Männer auf allen Gebieten der Wissen-

schaft haben schon die Rednerbühne betreten."

The first mention of a lecture is entered

under date of November 9, 1873. The

beginning of this type of entertainment

cannot be emphasized too much. It is

this activity which won for the "Vor-

waerts" the respected position it held in

the eyes of the community, and made it

superior to all other organizations of a

similar nature in Baltimore.

The "Vorwaerts" was fully conscious

of the fact that the development of the

body was only part of its program. We

have previously heard of the founding

of the school of drawing, and of the at-

tempt to establish a library. At all times,

but particularly in the seventies, the in-

tellectual activities must have been nu-

merous. It had all reason to be proud of

the type of entertainment it provided for

its members and friends with an ardor

which was not dampened when the mem-

bers were called on to provide money

necessary to bring outstanding speakers,

authors, actors, politicians, etc., to their

meetings. All these lectures were open

and free of charge to the public.

A list of the lectures is given here

which, however, makes no claim for be-

ing complete. Proof that these lectures

met with the approval of the organiza-

tion and the public is seen from the fact

that this type of entertainment went on

over a period of about fifty years.

HEINRICH HILGERT:

"Das Felsengebirge und seine Bewohner."

"Die Frauen, ihre Rechte und Pflichten."

"Barnum und sein Buch."

"Phrenologie."

. PETER UNGER:

"Unsterblichkeit"

"Massigkeit und Unmässigkeit."

MAXIMILIAN GROSSMANN

"Warum wollen die Radikalen die

Präsidentenwahl abgeschafft wissen?"

RICHARD ORTMANN

"Die Entwicklung des deutschen

Gewerbewesens."

"Die Luft."

"Nahrungsmittel."

PASTOR HEINRICH SCHEIB

"Ueber Geistererscheinungen."

ROBERT REITZEL

"Entweder—Oder!"

"Mirza Schaffy."

"Religionsstudien in Heine's Werken."

"Der ewige Jude."

"Auch eine Ansicht über die soziale

Frage."

"Abenteuer eines Grünen in Amerika."

. GUSTAV LIEBMANN:

"Ueber Geistesstörungen und ihre Behand-

lung."

"Gesundheitspflege."

AUGUST SCHMIDT

"Hunger und Durst."

"Ueber Phosphor."

"Ueber chemische Verwandlungen."

. GEORGE REULINC:

"Das menschliche Auge und Ohr."

GUSTAV FACIUS

"Erziehung und Unterricht."

KARL HEINZEN

"Böse Tugenden, gute Untugenden."

KAHL KNORTZ

"Mythologie der nordamerikanischen

Indianer."

W. S. LANDSBERG:

"Die Zahlentheorie und die Sozialwissen-

schaften."

HEDWIG HENRICH

-WILHELMY:

"Der Mensch das Produkt seiner Erzie-

hung."

HERMANN LINDE

"Der Sommernachtstraum von Shake-

speare."

"Teile aus Nathan der Weise, Kaufmann

von Venedig und Julius Cäsar."

. ADOLPH DOUAI:

"Ueber Erziehung."

ARTHUR KOEBNER

"Aus Reuter's Werken."

J. E. GICHNER:

"Der Einfluss der Drüsen auf die körper-

liche Entwicklung."

ISIDOR LÖWENTHAL

"Die Entstehung der deutschen Sprich-

wörter."

PROFESSOR HENRY WOOD

"Badereisen in der deutschen Literatur."

. CHRISTIAN STRACK:

"Hans Sachs, der Meistersinger,"

GEORGE

W. SPIER:

"Readings from the low German of

Fritz Reuter."

CARL OTTO SCHÖNRICH

"Der wichtigste Erziehungsfaktor in

Schule und Haus."

KAHL

A. M. SCHOLTZ:

"Historischer Ursprung der Grundzinsen."

FRANK CLAUDY

"Ueber Wagner im Allgemeinen."

MAX KÖNIG

"Persönliche Freiheit."

Such names as Professor Marion D.

[23]

Learned of the University of Pennsyl-

vania, Hugo Schulze, Professor Paul

Barsch, Professor Ernst Bruncken, Carl

Ahrendt, Konrad Nies, Dr. Gustav

Schumann, Professor Otto Fuchs, Dr.

Ernst Henrici, Pastor Julius Hofmann,

and a host of others appear many times

on the programs of the "Vorwaerts"

without the titles of their lectures being

stated.

Although these lectures were con-

tinued until 1917, the original serious

attitude with which the members par-

ticipated in the debates or listened to

the lectures faded out of the picture at

the turn of the century. From then on

these lectures no longer formed the

only purpose of a meeting, but merely

constituted part of the program. The

lighter addition undoubtedly served the

purpose of attracting such people as

were not interested in a serious lecture.

This type of entertainment was known

as "Mumm Sessions." For many years

these lectures were held every first Sun-

day of the month and were well at-

tended. With the attenuation of the

older generation and with the rise of a

new generation who no longer spoke

German with a degree of facility, these

lectures became a matter of the past.

Toward the end of the second decade

of the twentieth century they ceased

altogether.

The religious leanings of the "Vor-

waerts" can be concluded from the hap-

pening in the year 1875, when the

"Vorwaerts" became a member of

the "Freie Gemeinden Nordamerikas"

(Free Thinkers Societies of North

America). In May of the same year a

long, fervid and fiery debate was ar-

ranged between Pastor W. Stroble, of

the Trinity Church, and Frederick

Schuetz, President of the Free Thinkers

Congregation of Milwaukee. The sub-

ject was "The Immortality of the Soul."

This debate was carried on for almost

a week. The final session, held in the

old Maryland Institute, was attended by

some 1,800 people, a great part of the

German population of Baltimore. In

spite of a vote taken at the end for the

purpose of ascertaining the leanings of

the audience in regard to the two capa-

ble disputants, the demonstration be-

came so loud and unruly that the mo-

tion for adjournment introduced by

Captain J. R. Fellmann of the "Social-

Democratic Turnverein" had to be ac-

cepted.

In June, 1875, Heinrich Lohmann

was elected speaker of the "Vorwaerts,"

an honor he held until his death on

Christmas Day, 1889. All the writers

who mention his name affectionately

refer to him as "Vater Lohmann." His

simple, unassuming, idealistic charac-

ter represented the very best type of

German whom the year 1848 brought

to the American shore. Lake Carl

Schurz—likewise an honorary member

of the "Vorwaerts"—Lohmann was an

exile of his native land. When Lin-

coln's call to arms was heard he vol-

unteered for service in the United States

Army, and was wounded at Ranney

Station. The ashes of this man, who

meant so much for the Turverein "Vor-

waerts," who, as Karl A. M. Scholtz

states it, "lived for the 'Vorwaerts,'"

were seven years after his death sealed

in the cornerstone of the present Turn-

halle.

The one hundredth anniversary of the

birth of Turnvater Jahn in 1879 was

made the occasion of a two-day festival,

in which his son, Arnold S. Jahn, as

previously stated a member of the Vor-

waerts, participated. A Kommers was

held on the first day, August 11, with

1,000 people in attendance. William

Eckhardt delivered the welcoming

address and then read a prologue com-

posed by Johann Straubenmüller. The

life and accomplishment of Jahn were

sketched by R. Fellmann. Presentations

of the singing section of the Turnverein

and living tableaux filled the rest of the

evening. An outdoor festival took place

on the second day, which closed with a

huge bonfire.

Franz Cortan in recording the events

of the year 1879 speaks of an incident

in connection with the funeral of

August H. Setzer, July, 1879. It is men-

tioned here because it, like the afore-

mentioned debate on "The Immortality

of the Soul," throws light upon the

spiritual leanings prevailing in the

club. At this occasion, Robert Reitzel,

speaker of the "Freie Gemeinde" in

[24]

Washington, delivered the funeral

address. The nature of this speech

aroused such anger in the hearts of the

"pious" listeners that he was not per-

mitted to finish it. The speech was later

printed at the expense of the "Vor-

waerts" and distributed in pamphlet

form.

To the regular Turnfahrten and

Schauturnen, which were celebrated

each year, a special festive occasion

was the 16th of September, 1887, when

the "Vorwaerts" greeted in Baltimore

the veterans of the Twentieth New York

Turner Regiment, who were on their

way to Antietam to attend the unveil-

ing of a monument. Twenty-five years

ago the "Social-Democratic Turnve-

rein" had given them a welcome on

their way to the front. Due to the Dra-

conian blue-laws—it happened to be a

Sunday—the reception had to be with-

out music, but, we are told, it was not

without "Feuchte." A group picture of

the veterans which hangs in the corridor

of the Vorwaertshalle was taken at that

occasion.

The old Rebenhalle which had served

the "Vorwaerts" as headquarters for

twenty-four years was sorely deficient

for the demands of the club. In order

to realize the ambition of the members

for securing adequate quarters, the

"Vorwaerts Hall Building Association"

was formed on November 11, 1891. The

work of this Organization held the at-

tention of the members for the next

five years. The officers of the "Vor-

waerts Hall Building Association" re-

mained the same throughout its exist-

ence, and since their untiring work

brought forth the noteworthy achieve-

ment—the new Turnhalle—their names

are given: President, John F. Prechtel;

Vice-President, Theodor L. Borst; Sec-

retary, Karl A. M. Scholtz; Treasurer,

August Joesting, Sr.

The purpose of the Association was

to accomplish the raising of a capital

of at least $10,000, the sum to be used

as down payment for a Turnhalle.

Loyal members and faithful friends

subscribed liberally with the result that

within a year the greater part of the

sum had been raised. In January, 1895,

the property at 734 W. Lexington

Street, consisting of "a three-story

dwelling with two back-buildings and a

stable," was acquired from A. Brafmann

for the cash amount of $10,500.

The cornerstone of the new structure

was laid July 4, 1895, with appropriate

ceremonies.

The Turners had formed

"at the old hall, and with two drum

and fife corps, with flags flying,

marched singing to the new home site."

The objects inclosed in a steel box and

sealed in the cornerstone were:

The Declaration of Independence;

The Constitution of the "Vorwaerts";

The History of the "Vorwaerts," by F. H.

Cortan;

The Constitution of the "Vorwaerts Hall

Building Association";

The list of the members of the Turnverein

and of the Ladies' Auxiliary;

The History of the Vorwaerts Hall Building

Association, by Karl A. M. Scholtz;

The list of the members of the Vorwaerts

Hall Building Association;

The History of the "Nord-Amerikanischen

Turnerbund";

The annual report of the "Deutsche Waisen-

haus" for 1893;

The annual report of the "Deutsche Greisen-

heim";

Insignia of the "Vorwaerts" and "Columbia

(Washington) Turnverein";

Columbian stamps and coins;

An urn containing the ashes of Turnvater

H. Lohmann.

The dedication of the new "Vor-

waerts-Halle" took place on December

31, 1895, with Mayor Alcaeus Hooper

and George W. Spier of Washington as

speakers.

We find on the program printed at

the occasion of the dedication of the

Vorwaerts-Halle the name of Mayor

Alcaeus Hooper as being one of the

main speakers. It was under the admin-

istration of Mayor Hooper that gym-

nastics were finally made part of the

public school curriculum. This action

on the part of the mayor was the result

of a measure introduced by Turner

Louis Hoffmann, who was at that time

a member of the City Council of Balti-

more; it was a direct accomplishment

The architect was Leo Kopczinsky, the construction company, F. Decker & Sons.

[25]

of the Turners brought about after

years of agitation.

Since this event is a great credit to

Louis Hoffmann and to the organiza-

tion of which he was a member, the

incidents leading to the introduction of

physical culture in the schools of Bal-

timore are set forth here in great de-

tail. On February 18, 1895, it is stated

in the Journal of Proceedings of the

First Branch City Council of Baltimore

at the Session of 1894-1895 (p. 351):

Mr. Hoffmann introduced an ordinance, en-

titled "An ordinance to authorize and direct

the Board of Commissioners of Public Schools

of Baltimore City to introduce physical train-

ing as a regular course of study in the public

schools of the city,'' which was read and re-

ferred to the Joint Standing Committee on

Education. After due consideration Mr. Clay

submitted the following report

(Journal of

Proceedings, p. 650);

The Joint Standing Committee on Educa-

tion, to whom was referred an ordinance . . .

having given the subject a careful considera-

tion, report favorably thereon, and respectfully

submit the annexed ordinance.

WILLIAM

C. CLAY,

LOUIS HOFFMANN,

JOHN

F. LANCHAMMER,

First Branch.

JOHN

R. KELSO,

Second Branch.

Section I. Be it enacted and ordained by the

Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, that

the Board of Commissioners of Public

Schools of Baltimore City be and they are

hereby authorized and directed to introduce

physical training as a regular course of

study in the public schools of the city.

Section II. And be it further enacted and

ordained, That a male teacher of physical

culture be employed, the same to be a grad-

uate of some institution in which the art

and science of physical training has been

the only object of the course of study. . . .

Section III. .. . not less than ten (10) minutes

each day shall be given to calisthenics. . . .

Section IV. . . . this ordinance shall take

effect from the date of its passage.

The second reading took place April

3, 1895. At the meeting of the City

Council, April 29, 1895 (Journal of

Proceedings, p. 940), the amendment

was made "that fifteen hundred

($1,500) dollars, or so much thereof

as may be necessary, be appropriated

to make this ordinance effective." On

motion of Mr. Hoffmann the amend-

ment was concurred in. The ordinance

was approved by Mayor Ferdinand C.

Latrobe on May 8, 1895 (Ordinances

and Resolutions, 1894-95, No. 46,

p. 60).

The following year—April 20, 1896

—the Joint Standing Committee on

Education asked for the repeal of the

before-stated ordinance and reenact-

ment "of the same with amendment."

The important change in the new ordi-

nance was that "the sum of six thou-

sand dollars, or so much thereof as

may be necessary" is mentioned, a con-

siderable increase over the amount

stated in the first ordinance. Hoffmann,

according to the official records, was

the guiding spirit in back of the ordi-

nance. His name is connected with the

various amendments. The ordinance in

its second form was approved by

Mayor Alcaeus Hooper, September 21,

1895.

Professor C. F. Emil Schulz, mem-

ber of the "Vorwaerts" and first direc-

tor of Physical Culture of the Balti-

more Schools, reported about the first

six months of gymnastic exercises in

the grammar school classes, where the

experimental trial was made as follows:

Physical training was introduced May 1,

1898. Two male directors and eight female

assistants were appointed. The schools are

divided into eight districts, each district had

a special instructor who visits and teaches in

every class once per week in the presence of

the regular teacher. Thus the regular teacher

receives normal training, which prepares her

to give the lesson during the absence of the

special instructor." (Report of the Public

School Commissioners, Baltimore, January

17, 1899, p. 61.)

Thus it becomes clear that the

Turners were instrumental in introduc-

ing physical eduation in the Baltimore

schools, as they had done in so many

other cities of the United States.

As far back as April 11, 1860, in an article found in Der deutsche Correspondent reporting the

appointment of "Vater Lohmann" as physical instructor at the Knapp Private School, the hope is ex-

pressed that all schools will soon follow this example since "physical instruction means a great progress

in pedagogy."

That this phase of striving on the part of the Turners for the good of the nation received full

recognition from competent men in the field of public instruction can be concluded from a report by

Dr. Edward Mussey Hartwell to the United States Commissioner of Education, 1897-98 in the chapter

on Physical Education. A few sentences are quoted:

The more or less successful introduction of school gymnastics, since 1884 by the cities of

[26]

In connection with the activities of

Mr. Louis Hoffmann as City Council-

man of Baltimore, it is of interest to

hear of another ordinance which he

introduced. It has a bearing on the

strict "blue laws" enforced in those

days in Baltimore, which were strongly

resented by the Turners. Louis Hoff-

mann on August 3, 1896, introduced an

ordinance to the effect that the mayor

"if he deems fit" may grant permits to

parade to any band or number of mu-

sicians between the hours of 1 P. M.

and 8 P. M. on the Sabbath day. The

ordinance was rejected by a vote of

seven against twelve.

Judging from existing records the

membership of the "Vorwaerts" reached

its highest peak in 1892. It counted 110

active members, 135 passive members,

eight honorary and three merit mem-

bers. The gymnasium had 125 pupils,

the ladies' classes counted forty mem-

bers.

The silver jubilee of the "Vorwaerts"

was celebrated on July 3-4, 1892.

Neighboring Turnvereine from Wash-

ington, Wilmington, Philadelphia, and

Brooklyn, N. Y., participated. The

welcoming address was made by Mayor

Thomas G. Hayes; the principal speak-

er was Professor A. Schmidt. A pro-

logue was written especially for this

occasion by Johann Straubenmüller.

In the early nineties the name of Karl

A. M. Scholtz (1869-1941) begins to

appear on the programs of the "Vor-

waerts." Since then Mr. Scholtz played

a very prominent part in the life of this

organization and in the history of the

Germans of Baltimore. First as active

Turner (1888), then as counsellor and

legal adviser he helped to guide the

club through many perilous crises. He

received due recognition for his faith-

ful work by being made an honorary

member in 1929.

In May, 1903, the Washington Saen-

gerbund joined with the "Vorwaerts" in

holding a "Blumenspiel" (Flower

Game), an event going back in its his-

tory to the days of Hans Sachs and

the Minnesingers. Scholtz describes it

as a tourney of Poetry and Song. The

winners in this poetic contest were

Frank Gaudy, Christian Strack, and

Hugo Schulze. Professor Otto Fuchs,

Dr. Ernst Henrici, Louis Illmer, George

W. Spier and Rev. Julius Hofmann

acted as arbiters.

The first decade of the twentieth

century was for the "Vorwaerts" a

rather prosperous period. This is due

to a large degree to the fact that the

club possessed its own home, which in

turn attracted a large membership.

This certain prosperity led to the found-

ing of several small organizations with-

in the Verein, all chiefly organized by

the passive members for the purpose of

enjoying congenial company. The old-

est of these groups was the "Baeren"

(Bears) Section, founded in 1892. It

was quite popular for many years. It

was the source of enjoyment for the

older gentlemen whiling away an eve-

ning in the company of friends, with

ceremonies and a ritual language all

their own.

It is under the auspices of these

elderly gentlemen, with good financial

background and a great deal of leisure

on their hands, and endowed with

abounding imagination, that some of

the more elaborate festivals of the

"Vorwaerts" were planned and exe-

cuted. Often these festal gatherings of

fun and humor were held jointly with

the "Columbia" Turnverein, Washing-

ton, D. C., and with the "Schlaraffia"

of the same city.

As interesting and enjoyable as these

festivals may have been, they at the

same time marked a turning point in

the history of the "Vorwaerts." It indi-

cates a gradual transition in the process

by which the serious spirit of the found-

ers of the "Vorwaerts" was supplanted

Chicago, Kansas City, Cleveland, Denver, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, St. Paul,

San Francisco and Boston has been chiefly due to the zeal and insistence of the advocates of the

German and Swedish systems of gymnastics, who were prepared to speak with knowledge and to

act with intelligence, in every city named above, excepting Boston, German free and light gym-

nastics have been adopted, and the directors of physical education are graduates of the Seminary

or Normal School of the American TURNERBUND. ... The promotion of gymnastic teaching

in the public schools has ever been one of the cherished aims of the TURNERBUND.

[27]

by an atmosphere which is found in an

organization of social nature. With this

slow change the "Vorwaerts" ceased

playing the part of a cultural force in

the life of the Germans in Baltimore,

the part it had played in its beginning.

In July, 1907, the "Vorwaerts" cele-

brated its fortieth anniversary. Each

member was presented with a small

American Flag upon entering the Hall.

German speech and drink were inter-

mingled with American patriotism. The

main speaker of the evening was Carl

Ahrendt, an outstanding member of the

"Vorwaerts."

The last large gathering of the mem-

bers of the "Vorwaerts" before the

World War was in connection with the

twenty-second Turnfest of the Philadel-

phia District. It lasted three days, June

25-27, 1910. The main event was the

grand Kommers. At this occasion the

"Vorwaerts" was honored with the

presence of the Governor of the State

of Maryland, Austin L. Crothers. Other

guests of honor were Mayor J. Barry

Mahool; former Mayor Ferdinand C.

Latrobe; Richard Barthold, Congress-

man from St. Louis, Mo.

There is very little evidence which

reveals to us the effects the outbreak

of the first World War had upon this

society. There is, however, no doubt

that the war conditions must have cur-

tailed the activities of the club consid-

erably. The fiftieth anniversary, which

would undoubtedly have been made the

occasion of a great celebration, is ample

proof of this fact. Only on a small

scale, the golden jubilee was celebrated

with a Kommers and social evening.

The Vorwaerts Hall was decorated with

ferns and greens and in the center of

the stage stood the white bust of Turn-

vater Jahn. In front of it stood a basket

with fifty roses, presented by the Ger-

mania Turnverein. Louis C. Schnei-

dereith was the orator of the evening.

The solidarity of the members in the

critical days of the war and their loyalty

to the "Vorwaerts" proved itself in

1918. The club found it necessary, due

to a deficit of over $3,000 aggregated

over many years, to raise the member-

ship dues from $6 to $9. Over eighty

per cent of the votes cast were in favor

and only eighteen per cent against the

measure. Proof of the patriotic spirit

of the "Vorwaerts" is evidenced by the

fact that it held a gymnastic exhibition

on April 22 and 23, 1918; all money

raised was turned over to the American

Red Cross.

The happenings which could be men-

tioned in the scope of this article are,

after all, only a few highlights in the

long history of the "Vorwaerts." It

would fill many more pages were one

to report on the many oyster suppers,

masquerades, "Bockbierfeste," Kom-

mers, picnics, boat excursions, "Skata-

bende," etc., which brought the members

together in congenial gatherings. In

the days before the automobiles, walk-

ing trips were common occurrences and

often lasted a whole day and were par-

ticipated in and enjoyed by the entire

family, giving proof of the love for

nature which dwells deeply in every

German heart.

In an impressive and elaborate man-

ner the "Vorwaerts" celebrated the

seventieth anniversary of its founding

on October 16, 17, and 18, 1937. A re.

union and dance was held on the first

day, to be followed on the second day

by gymnastic exercises in the afternoon

and a Kommers in the evening. The

main feature of the celebration was the

anniversary dinner on the third day, ar-

ranged for 500 persons. President Ernst

Hottenbacher; the toastmaster, Karl

Hartig; the speakers of the evening,

Governor Harry W. Nice, Mayor How-

ard W. Jackson, Consul Frederick F.

Schneider, John B. Gontrum, Albert

Glombowski, Wm. F. Engelbert, presi-

dent of the Independent Citizen Union;

Charles W. Reinhardt, president of

United Singers; Henry L. Wienefeld,

president of the Saengerfest Associ-

ation, may be mentioned among the

names of guests. The Turnvereine of

Baltimore, Philadelphia, Riverside,

N. J., and Wilmington, Del., were rep-

resented.

Coming to the close of this article,

we find that we have become witness

to German gymnastic associations in

Baltimore whose histories cover a

period of almost a hundred years. From

a small group they grew and saw at

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the turn of the century their highest

bloom. From the previous pages it is

obvious that the Turnverein "Vor-

waerts" occupied the most prominent

and influential position among the gym-

nastic associations in Baltimore. Most

of the concluding statements have,

therefore, special bearing on the "Vor-

waerts." Men of the various trades and

professions were bound together by the

idealism of true democratic spirit, abso-

lutely faithful in their allegiance to

their new homeland, all fully conscious

of their civic duties and responsibil-

ities. It was this solidarity and equality

which has guided the clubs through

perilous years, which has made them

attractive to the native American. The

Turners awakened in the American an

interest and understanding for physical

education, and by emphasizing at the

same time the development of the mind

they contributed their share to progress

along cultural and intellectual lines.

They helped the German element to ob-

tain the respectable place it holds in

the life of the community.

It is true that great changes of ideas

and ideals have taken place in the course

of time. The original German founders

have been replaced by a native element.

German is hardly a familiar tongue to

most of the Turners. The original vig-

orous, searching, fierce spirit of striving

which characterizes the early stages in

the life of a nation has given place to

the calmness and assuredness of the

consciousness of possession. This change

in attitude is taken by some people to

be a sign of dissolution and slow decay.

They see this great transformation with

alarm and concern. We believe, how-

ever, that there is no reason for such a

pessimistic attitude. There is nothing

in the life of the individual or of a

nation which can make claim to an

eternal existence. With the rise of

American culture and civilization, it

was but natural that the various cul-

tural and intellectual forces which were

active here in bidding up America

should be integrated into the new native

civilization in order to form a united

nation.

In his ideal striving the Turner was

not concerned with the duration of his

work but rather with the consideration

of whether he was contributing towards

a worthy cause. The worthy cause was

the welfare of the United States first

of all, and of humanity as a whole.

Much has been contributed by the

Turner in this direction. Even his ab-

sorption in the "Amerikanertum" will

not be without traces. Certain German

cultural features will be absorbed by

the American character and, represent-

ing the better aspects of German life,

will mark an improvement.

A few lines taken from Karl Foer-

ster's poem, "Erinnerung und Hoff-

nung" (1842), may fittingly conclude

this article:

Was vergangen, kehrt nicht wieder;

Aber ging es leuchtend nieder,

Leuchtet's lange noch zurück!

SOURCE MATERIAL

Most helpful for the writing of this article

were two booklets, one written in German

for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the found-

ing of the Vorwaerts, Franz Hubert Cortan,

Geschichte des Turnvereins Vorwärts 1867-

1892 (Baltimore, 1892), the other written in

English for its seventieth anniversary, Karl

A. M. Scholtz, The Turnverein Vorwaerts

(Baltimore, 1937). A few minute books, and

scrapbooks belonging to Mr. Karl A. M.

Scholtz helped to clarify certain points. Not

a written line is in the possession of the

Germania-Turnverein which would throw some

light on the happenings in the life of that

organization. The perusal of the local news-

papers, Täglicher Wecker, Der Deutsche Cor-

respondent, The Baltimore Sun was of con-

siderable assistance. The personal reminis-

cences of Mr. John Kaiss related to me in re-

gard to the Germania-Turnverein are acknowl-

edged in this connection. Some material was

taken from the Amerikanischer Turner Kalen-

der and The American Turner, also from the

two books, Baltimore, Seine Vergangenheit

und Gegenwart (Baltimore, 1887) and Das

Neue Baltimore (Baltimore, 1905). The gen-

eral principles behind the Turner movement

were treated in a special article: A. J. Prahl,

"The Ideological Background of the American

Turner," in Comparative Literature News-Let-

ters, III, ii (1944), 11-13.

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