German Singing Festival

     Performers.

     “Yesterday, the society Schwaebischer had, as already announced,  arranged a festival to come off at Bellevue Garden at the foot of eightieth street, where three other German societies were to participate in the festivities, consisting of musical and vocal exercises and social enjoyment.  It seems, however, that Superintendent Kennedy had issued special orders to the police to prevent these festivities on Sundays, in conformity with the existing Sunday laws, and the singers, in consequence, were interrupted in the exercise of their art.  The Bellevue Garden was visited by several thousand persons, but the singers left the Garden early in the afternoon and proceeded to Funk’s Union Park, at the foot of Sixty third street, where, notwithstanding the police, the singers occasionally indulged in singing their favorite songs.  This Funk’s park, it is understood, was visited in the course of the day by not less than six or seven thousand persons (mostly Germans), who inconsequence of the repeated scenes of rowdyism begin rather to avoid Jones’ Wood, their former place of resort.  The Germans, however, feel much grieved at this indignity caused them by the interference of the police, and it is complained, that no distinction is made by the authorities between harmless social enjoyments and disorderly proceedings and noisy demonstrations.  There was some talk of getting up a remonstrance against the action of Mr. Kennedy.”

     With general information on Superintendent Kennedy’s actions against music.  “Yesterday afternoon a multitude of Germans assembled at the Bellevue Gardens, at the foot of East Seventy-ninth-street, and on ascertaining that the police had forbidden music they held an indignation meeting, passed a series of denunciatory resolutions, and departed for their respective homes.”