USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Official report of the centennial celebration of the founding of the city of Cleveland and the settlement of the Western Reserve > Part 6
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One hundred years have passed, half of which time or more has been characterized by a substantial growth. It is an epic more wonderful than ever Horace, Dante, or Milton wrote - the splendid glory of a splendid city in a splendid State. Every form of religion has contributed to this gratifying growth.
In the great world order the Jew stands first, the Catholic next, and the Protestant last. But in our local history, the Protestant was the pioneer, followed after thirty- nine years by the Catholic, and after forty-three years by the Jewish Church. The contributions of each one of these factors and faiths have been of incalculable value to this community and to mankind. Let each one speak for his faith, from his separate point of view and speak well, for each faith deserves to be well spoken of. But I count myself happy this day in being called to speak for religion in its essence and in its action, pure and simple, broad and universal, which, exists and bears away, with equal authority, wherever moral beings are-to speak for "the rule of right, the sym- metries of character, the requirements of perfection," which are not properties of church, or sect, or creed, not provincialisms of New England or the Western Reserve, or Cleveland, or even of this planet; "but are known among the stars; and are wher- ever the universal spirit is; and no subject mind, though it fly on one track forever, can escape beyond their bounds."
Following Mr. Cowles's address, the Vocal Society sang "Ave Ma- ria," from "Gaul." Rev. Dr. Levi Gilbert, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, then spoke, saying among other things:
Patriotism rooted in religion characterized the life and conduct of the Puritans. The historic earth contains no more patriotic ground than this Western Reserve. When I first looked at the roster of names on the interior of the Soldiers' Monument. I could not realize that those men all enlisted from this county -- I thought it must have been the whole State. Education inseparably linked with religion was characteristic of Puritan thought, and its progress is marked in Cleveland. General education is founded on a Christian conception of equality. It would have been impossible but for Christ. It could not be conceived of under the old Roman dynasty. Not only have
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public and private schools always flourished in Cleveland, but the system of kinder- gartening is firmly established in the city, and the great higher schools and univer- sities stand monuments to the educational impulse of the city.
The character of the community inheriting the sterling character of the Puritanic ancestry of its population is reflected in the press of the city. Never in any other city, in which I have been, have I seen the equal of the newspapers of Cleveland for decency and cleanliness. Its editors are not afraid to discriminate, and they do discriminate against unfit publications. They write editorials as though they were Christian men. The city cannot be too thankful for such journals. *
Whether or not we trace philanthropy directly or indirectly to religious force, we are obliged to admit that it is ultimately blended with religion. Because of inherent religion the city supports an infirmary, a reformatory and a hospital, and the State a large asylum for the insane. It is because of religion that a Wade, a Gordon, a Hatch, a Stone, a Case, or a Baldwin donates gifts to a community. The cause of temper- ance so characteristic of the life of the Puritans has prospered here. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union began its work in this State. The Anti-Saloon League also flourishes.
Dr. Gilbert then mentioned a long list of Cleveland institutions de- voted to good work of various kinds, after which he said:
It is a pleasure to me that Monsignor Thorpe and Rabbi Gries to-day stand with me upon the same platform. I am glad we can stand together. Thank God, the day of narrowness, exclusiveness, and sectarianism is gone forever. Bigotry, intolerance, and persecution have been relegated to the past. We have learned to honor one an- other for our work. We have grown to give first place to character, and to esteem philanthropy. Under the banner of tolerance and brotherhood. we can march to- gether, each friendly to the others and all lovers of men. Disregarding minor differ- ences, uniting on a common basis of manhood and citizenship, believing in God and the needs of humanity, let us confederate in love, and co-operate in deeds that shall make the Greater Cleveland of the coming century more illustrious, more humane, , more righteous, and more religious than ever in the past.
Frequent applause greeted the utterances of Dr. Gilbert. At the close of his speech the audience united in singing the national hymn "America." Monsignor Thorpe was next introduced and was enthusi- astically received. He spoke, in part, as follows:
As has been said, the Puritan was the first to be and work in Cleveland, and it is not to be wondered at that in so small a town as was Cleveland in the early portion of its existence many did not seek it. It was in the decade between 1830 and 1840 when a Catholic priest came here, and seeing the need of a church, worked hard and faith- fully to establish one, and did establish it, with the aid not only of Catholics, but of generous and kindly Protestants as well. This priest died while his work was still in progress, but that work went on. Many yet live in Cleveland who remember him. I see one on the platform to-day who knew him. I refer to that venerable father in Cleveland, Mr. T. P. Handy.
Great applause followed the allusion to Mr. Handy, who signified by a cordial bow to Monsignor Thorpe that he had been acquainted with the priest.
"He and others who knew him will testify to his gentle character and his worth," continued Monsignor Thorpe. "The name of the church was St. Mary's. It was on the flats. It was not a large church, and it is now obliterated, but it was the cathedral to which came the first Catholic bishop of Cleveland, Bishop Rapp. Under the adminis- tration of that same bishop the present cathedral, St. John's, at the corner of Erie and Superior streets, was built. Since the coming of Bishop Rapp to Cleveland, the Cath- olie Church has not forgotten her duty to the sick, and has founded and operates three hospitals, in which there have never been any distinctions as to creed, nationality or color. Whoever raps at the door-Protestant or Cathohe, rich or poor, white or black, is given instant admission. Great and good charitable work has been done in those hospitals. Nor has the Catholic Church failed in her duty to the orphans and the fatherless. She has four orphan asylums, in which over seven hundred children are cared for. She has established her homes for the poor and fallen, who desire to recos.
G C
DANIEL
MYERS
U
.
COL.WILLIAM EDWARDS
BOLIVAR
BUTTS
DARWIN E. WRIGHT
H. A. SHERWIN
WILLIAM J. AKERS
KAUFMAN HAYS
MEMBERS OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
GROUP V.
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*RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES.
er character and self-esteem, and she has reared in many places about the city beauti- ful churches whose spires rear heavenward. So far as these churches beautify the city which we love we are glad. We hope they are architecturally a credit to Cleveland. Near every one, or nearly every one, is a schoolhouse. Friends, we erect these schoolhouses as supplementary to, and not in opposition to the public schools. It has been wrongly said that the Catholic Church maintains parochial schools because she dislikes the public schools. That is not so. Catholics admire and will always indorse the public schools. For myself, I am their great admirer and friend, and I am sure I voice the sentiments of all Catholics when I say so. Our schools are supplementary to the public schools, and have been established for doctrinal reasons only.
" But the Catholic Church in Cleveland has done even more. I well remember that on the day on which Fort Sumpter was fired upon I was one of a number who ran the national flag upon the spire of St. John's Cathedral. Its appearance there created great enthusiasm in the hearts of our people, and a multitude of Catholics went to the front in defense of their flag and their country. Catholics, are first Catholics, and next patriots: Should we have war again, Catholics would turn out to defend their land as did their fathers in 1861.
"What shall the future of Cleveland be? It is for us to determine. Law and order must be obeyed, and the Catholic Church will ever teach it. With the voices of the priests lifted in advocacy of good order, Catholics will fail not. There must be no anarchy or other and like pernicious doctrines taught in Cleveland. When such doctrines obtain, the fate of the city will be sealed, so far as future greatness goes, and we will not have the city of our hopes. But with law and order maintained, righteous- ness and good conduct in force, the city will grow and thrive, and be what we desire for it and look forward to seeing it become.'
1912831
The Cleveland Vocal Society next rendered the " Hallelujah Chorus, " from the " Messiah," after which Rabbi Moses J. Gries, of the Willson Avenue Temple, addressed the audience. He was received with applause. An eloquent tribute was paid by him to Judaism in its relation to the centuries, the speaker saying in the course of his address:
We rejoice to celebrate the Centennial in this great and free republic, and I assure you that of all who rejoice to celebrate this Centennial, none does so with heart more glad than the Jew, and none speak a prayer of truer thanksgiving than does the Jew. He rejoices to stand upon the same platform with Catholic and Protestant, and speak a word on behalf of human fellowship, human brotherhood, and on behalf of freedom, righteousness, and justice.
Judaism has been in Cleveland but half a century. The first Jewish settler came to this shore in the year 1838, and we have grown to twenty thousand in 1896. Per- haps no great influence manifests itself; perhaps no monuments have been built. I will not speak with detail. We have concentrated synagogues, and dedicated temples, and established great charities. We have opened wide our hands to the poor. We have brought peace to the aged and infirm; we have protected the widow; we have been fathers to the fatherless. Aye, and more than that, we have blessed the father- less with a mother's love. We have cared not only for our own, but with glad and free heart have joined with Protestant and Catholic to care for our fellowmen. We point not to our great commercial and industrial establishments, though these have their value, nor yet to our beautiful synagogues and magnificent temples and noble charitable institutions. We have striven to perform the great task of religion; striven to make men - men of uprightness and honor; men who should live the highest and noblest and purest life in true service to God and fellowmen. Religion with us has been an influence to prepare, not for heaven beyond, and the mysterious unknown, but to fit for life on earth.
American Judaism is to-day the hope of the ancient faith. Here it has opportu- nity for fullest and freest development, and we Jews hope and pray that the ideals of the prophets will find their real fulfillment. We are assembled here to-day not as Christians and Jews, but as citizens of the Republic. Whatever we may choose to call ourselves; whatever badges or labels we may wear upon our persons; whether we call ourselves Catholic or Protestant, Jew or unbeliever, believe me, God from the height of heaven looks down upon us, and knows us all as his children, and we, too, know one another as brethren; in the great crisis of the nation know that we are not divided by the petty distinctions of creed. When the Republic was endangered by civil conflict, our fathers went to the front, not as Catholic or Protestant, or Jew, but
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.
as citizens of the Republic, to preserve independence, to maintain the Union; to pro- tect home and loved ones and their liberty, and we at home in the times of peace, in the great crises of life which come to States and cities, help one another, as men in the name, not of religion, but in the name of our common humanity. As men we have duty not to church, but to city and to fellowman. The old century is behind us; the new century is before us. Let it be a new century for better and purer citizenship.
This finished the speech-making. A brief prayer was offered by Rev. Herman J. Ruentenik, pastor of the Eighth Reformed Church. The audience then sang " Nearer my God to Thee," and the meeting, which was enthusiastic and interesting throughout, came to an end.
The German Americans of the city patriotically observed the day in two big mass-meetings. In the afternoon the members of the German Lutheran Churches assembled in Music Hall, and in the evening mem- bers of all the German Protestant Churches assembled in the Central Armory. Decorations were freely employed at both places, the stars and stripes predominating. At the Music Hall meeting the men's choir of Zion Church led the singing, this being a prominent feature of the occasion. The exercises were opened at 3 o'clock, Rev. Henry Weseloh, of Immanuel Church, being the first speaker. His address was brief and was delivered in German. He contrasted the Cleveland of the Cen- tennial with the Cleveland of pioneer days, referring especially to the part taken in its development by the Germans. The second speaker was Rev. W. Lothman, of Akron, who reviewed the progress of the German Lutheran Church in Cleveland. In 1825, he said, there was but one German Lutheran Church in the city and that was located on York street. Rev. J. Wepel, of Zanesville, followed with a short address. He considered Cleveland, he said, the gem of Ohio, Ohio the gem of Colum- bia. "And Cleveland, as every one knows," he remarked, "is the gem of the Ocean." This address concluded the programme. Rev. Paul Schwan pronounced the benediction.
A representative body of German citizens filled the Central Armory in the evening. The meeting was presided over by Rev. Franz Friedrich. An instrumental overture preceded the exercises and was followed by the singing of a German hymn. Rev. Theophil Leonhardt then read a Psalm, and prayer was offered by Rev. H. Pullmann. A patriotic selec- tion was sung by the Mannerchor, and then Mayor Robert E. MeKisson was introduced to make the opening address. The mayor received an ovation as he stepped forward. He spoke, in substance, as follows:
""This day has marked the opening of our long anticipated Centennial celebration. After many months of waiting and planning a period of rejoicing over the completion of one hundred years of the city's history has arrived. This mass-meeting is a mark of the strength of our German citizenship, and an earnest of your lively interest in the welfare and prosperity of our municipality.
The city of Cleveland is proud of her German population. No class of America's adopted citizens stands higher in industry, in thrift and in good citizenship than our German Americans. None are more fond of their mother land, and none are fonder of the land of their adoption, nor more law-abiding and steadfast.
Germany has done much for the world. It has given us a Bismarck and a Moltke, a statesman and a general; a Schiller and a Goethe, in letters and in song ; a Mozart and a Wagner, whose music delights the car in every land; a Guttenberg, to invent the great art of printing. Germany has given us a Koch, whose penetration and skill have made the science of chemistry work out relief to mankind. Coming down to recent date, it has given us a Roentgen and his famous " X" ray, which has caused the world to pause and wonder what Germany is going to give us next. In America it has given us the states- man, Carl Schurz, the friend of Grant and Hayes; a Roebling to build New York's sus- pension bridge; a Francis Siegel, whose gallant services in the war are known to all of
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RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES.
his countrymen. A long list of other noted and worthy sons might easily be added. In Cleveland, the same high record obtains. In music, medicine, art, learning, the trades-in short, in every walk of life, honest and patriotic Germans are found, good in their ability and willingness to work, good in their husbanding of resources, good in their sturdy thrift, good in their splendid accomplishments and business ability, and, above all, good in their devotion to law and order and the common good.
Our German population, as given by the City Directory of 1832, was 1,472, out of a total of 10,135. It is estimated now that we have in the neighborhood of 100,000 Germans within the city's walls. We are gratified by this showing. They come to us imbued with patriotism, are always willing and ready to co-operate in maintaining good government, and are ever peaceable and prosperous themselves. There is a kin- ship in intelligence, in industry, and in love of freedom between every true German and every American.
Comprising almost one-third of the city's entire population, you have probably had more to do with the building up of its public institutions and quasi-public enterprises than perhaps any other single nationality. Your influence has been beneficent, not only upon the city, but upon the State at large.
It is fitting and proper that this Centennial anniversary should be opened with religious observances as has been the case to-day. The influence of the pious lives of our New England forefathers has been manifest all through the city's history. We cannot pay too high a tribute to their honesty and worth. We owe them a debt of gratitude both lasting and deep.
We are upon the threshold of a second century of the city's existence. If the f advancement of the first is equaled by the second, there surely will be occasion for new congratulations. Each citizen should do his part. To live for each day and to do that right is the best that any can do. Cleveland-her noble past, her great pres- ent, her splendid future-who shall portray them in adequate colors?
A hearty burst of applause greeted the conclusion of the mayor's address. Then Rev. Mr. Friedrich introduced Director-General Wilson M. Day, of the Centennial Commission, who also received a warm greet- ing. He said :
It is fitting, indeed, that this festival of a century should be commemorated in the sonorous language of the fatherland to the accompanying thrill of German song. It is meet that the sons and daughters of that land which has enriched the world's honor roll with such names as Schiller and Goethe, Lessing and Herder, Uhland and Reuter, Beethoven and Mozart, and Wagner, Weber, and Schubert, Silcher and Abt, Kant and Fichte and Schopenhauer. and Copernicus and Kepler and Herschel, and the long line of heroes from Charlemagne to Barbarossa, and Moltke and Bismarck, should on this newer continent of their adoption join in pledging once more their love of liberty, and their devotion to the city of their choice.' It needs no words of mine to tell the story of German loyalty, German self-sacrifice, and German achievement. American patriotism is made of no sturdier stuff than the fealty of its adopted citizens. The story of German heroism is written on every battlefield of the South. At Bull Run, at Vicksburg, at Chattanooga, at Atlanta, at Chickamauga, at Gettysburg, before
Richmond, at Appomattox, German blood was poured out as freely as that of our native born soldiery, that the Union might be preserved and human liberty vouch- safed. But the German is a peace lover as well, and this peace festival of religion and patriotism is a fitting embodiment of the solid, law-loving, law-abiding, God-fear- ing qualities of the German character. May the churches which you represent ever be the fountains of the purest religion, the broadest culture, and the highest patriotism. In the name of the Centennial Commission, I greet you. God save the fatherland! God save America! "Ehre sey Gott in der Hoche, und Friede auf Erden, and den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen."
" America" was sung by the audience standing, and then Rev. J. H. C. Roentgen delivered the first German address of the evening. He divided the life of the Germans in Cleveland into three parts -childhood from 1831 to 1851, youth from 1850 to 1872, and maturity from 1872 to 1896. He paid many tributes, in the course of his address, to the inter- est of the Germans in the city's affairs, and their desire for its advance- ment and prosperity, and was warmly applauded when he said that the
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.
study of the German language must be continued in the public schools, and declared that if it were not, parochial schools would be the result.
Another song by the Männerchor preceded the last address of the evening, that of Rev. G. Heinmiller, which was historical in character, and was also delivered in German. A song by the Männerchor, a prayer by Rev. C. Streich, the singing of a German hymn by the audi- ence, and the pronunciation of the benediction by Rev. Franz Friedrich, concluded the programme.
The exercises of this Sabbath day formed an appropriate introduc- tion to the festivities that followed, turning the thoughts of the inhabit- ants to the benefits of the retiring century, fostering civic pride and patriotism, and giving birth to nobler purposes and still higher aims for the coming years.
GEO. T.
MC INTOSH
MYRON T. HERRICK
F. F.
HICKOX
F. L. ALCOTT
C.C BURNETT
H.S. BLOSSOM
( MAMONAS CO. LIEVE.
HENRY HI
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
CHAPTER V.
CAMP MOSES CLEAVELAND.
DEDICATED JULY 20, 1896.
The annual encampment of the Ohio National Guard and a detach- · ment of United States Regulars was secured for Cleveland in 1896, and proved to be a prominent and attractive feature of the Centennial cele- bration. Tents were pitched by the soldiers about the middle of July and remained until near the middle of September. The camp was located on the Perkins Farm, in the western part of the city, near the · lake front, and was known as "Camp Moses Cleaveland." With its companies of well-drilled men, its brilliant dress parades and general
equipment, it formed a center of inter- est for thousands during the summer months.
The camp was dedicated with ap- propriate exercises on Monday after- noon, July 20th. There was an almost constant downpour of rain during the morning, and at noon it was thought that the exercises would have to be postponed. A temporary cessation, however, encouraged the officers in charge to proceed. Shortly after noon. Troop A of the Ohio National Guard, Captain R. E. Burdick commanding, repaired to the Forest City House, where Governor Bushnell and party, Mayor MeKisson and a number of prominent citizens were met and es- corted to the camp. In the company besides the governor and the mayor were J. G. W. Cowles, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Colonel Clar- ence E. Burke and Colonel C. V. Wing, of the governor's staff; Captain George Andrews, of the United States Army; COL. J. S. POLAND. L. E. Holden, W. J. Akers, ex-Postmaster A. T. Anderson and others. Soon after the arrival of the party the troops were formed in a hollow square around the flag-pole on the parade ground. The programme of exercises was then opened with a patriotic selection by the Seventeenth Regiment Band. As the music died away, Mr. Holden, on behalf of the Centennial Commission, arose in the governor's carriage and intro- duced Mayor MeKisson, who was cordially received and addressed the soldiers as follows:
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.
Members of the Ohio National Guard and Regulars: It is a happy privilege for me to greet you to-day in this white city by the lake. Every citizen bids you a ready and hearty welcome. We delight to receive you as representatives of the great body of citizen soldiers of America; an army which for its patriotism, loyalty and devotion, if not for its equipment, numbers and strength, is second to none in the world. Your fine uniforms, your epaulettes, your glistening swords and polished guns, remind us of the time when thousands of boys from the Western Reserve gladly left their fields and shops to battle for the nation and its flag. One cannot look upon this scene without being thrilled with patriotic thoughts and emotions. Well might we dwell upon the valiant services of Ohio's troops, their bravery and their sacrifices, were it not for the fact that this story is familiar to all.
We are glad to have you here because this is Cleveland's Centennial year. One hundred years ago an adventurous general conceived the idea that this would be a good place to build a town. Time has proved that his notion was correct. The name of that general, I need not tell you, was Moses Cleaveland, and that name your camp will appropriately bear to-day. We are indebted to that intrepid founder for our great municipality of 1896. From a small beginning, with a population of four, Cleveland has grown to a city second to none in the great State of Ohio in point of population, commercial wealth and educational advantages.
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