1912 Speech by Adam Beck �
delivered by Manfred Richter
Dear People of Berlin,
Liebe Berliner,
It is my pleasure to be
with you tonight to celebrate your inauguration of �City-Hood�!
It was only 2 years ago
that I congratulated you and your council being the first town in Ontario to
embrace with all your wisdom and zeal our municipal power enterprise.
In only those 2 years
your industries grew in leaps and bounds, thousands of people found jobs,
enriched your town and made it through their goods stamped �made in Berlin�
known around the world. And now elevated to �City-Hood�. I�m sure Mayor
Schmalz, that your city will attract more and more industries and as well more
people.
Here at home you have
already attained the enviable reputation of being the best town in Canada
earned largely through the diversity of the manufacturing industries and the
stability of its workforce, also its growth had been from within coupled with
the pride of your citizens.
When I grew up in Baden
where my father owned a foundry he would often tell our family that you can
buy the best furniture, the best leather and much, much more of outstanding
products and with a twinkle in his eye a very good schnapps too.
Now Berlin is emerging
into the added prestige and larger responsibilities of City-Hood.
Let me pay you a
tribute, it is owing to the city of Berlin that the water powers, including
electric power of the province are publicly owned. We as a country must thank
Berlin for it. Moreover, in the conduct of your public utilities you have
become an object lesson for the world. But lets not forget that this district
of Ontario was the adopted land of our forefathers, today it is the native
land of their sons and daughters and grandchildren and generations to come.
Now at last, your honour
and citizens of Berlin, your city�s success is a vindication of true
citizenship in your city of Berlin and our province and country.
Good night and may God
bless this city.