PREFACE 



Coelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt.* VLKQ ■ 



The fifth decade of the past century proved disastrous to the 

 patriots of Germany who were seeking liberty and progress, and no 

 hope was left for recovery from the defeat sustained or for better 

 success in the near future by a renewal of the struggle for liberal 

 government. For the first time in the history of the Bavarian 

 capital of Munich, a meeting of discontented citizens was held, to 

 deliberate upon joint action to secure better and safer means of 

 emigration to the United States of North America. Artists, pro- 

 fessional men, mechanics, and farmers, people of good standing in 

 society and amply provided financially, to the number of nearly 

 two hundred, composed the meeting. 



At this time an association of students of the University of Mu- 

 nich, of which I was a member, resolved to celebrate in a solemn 

 fete Washington's birthday, a proceeding never before heard of, but 

 fully in accord with the sentiments of this party, which in these tur- 

 bulent times represented the liberal movement in the university. 

 The celebration was a great success, and speeches and eulogies on 

 Washington and Jefferson, Frajiklin and other heroes were in- 

 dulged in fervently and unreservedly. 



The open avowal of republican institutions was immediately de- 

 nounced as a provocation, too flagrant to be allowed to be passed by, 

 and actions were instituted by the authorities. Several of the 

 participants had to leave the city. Called before the university 

 tribunal, I wa* released on my pledge to emigrate. I regret to say 

 that I have never since found an opportunity to celebrate this 

 national festivity with the same pathos and enthusiasm as on this 

 memorable twenty-second of February, 1849. 



Severance from beloved friends and the ancestral soil is a bitter 

 and mournful task, and recollection of it even now clouds the se- 

 renity of the moment. But the genius of love mitigated my dis- 



* New stars, new sights tlie pilgrim meets; 

 He stays the same in thoughts and deeds. 



