Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-10-23
and lights having been placed in the upper


which made it as light as day around the
hotel, whilst the unbroken forests and lofty
bills which made up the background, ap-
peared in the dread gloom and magnif-
cence with which they were clothed by
the contrast of light, 10 be the solemn spir-
its of bigoted and tyrannica age, who had
held humanity in bondage during long CEN
turies, come to take their last look Of the
scenes of their former oppresSiouS, and then
to vanish before the light of Christianity
aud Liberty into darkness and desolation
forever.
Al hall-past nine Ole Bull appeared on
the balcony, and the hills resounded with
echoes from The loud shouts that went up
to greet him he appeared to be oppressed
with the greatness and solemnity OF the oc-
casion, and while he gracefully and mod
estIy bowed his Acknowledgements, the
tears were choking his uttrrance. As
soon as he could command his voice, he
addressed bis countrymen in substance as
follows:
Brothers of Norway From the cline
where the north wind has lis home, where
the Malestrom roars, aud where the Auro-
IA for half the year takes the place OF the
genial sun, we have come to find home :;
when We were among our mountains, and
war was bringing want and famine upon
us, we heard there there was country in
a mllder cline, where liberty dwelt and
plenty reigned. Upon looking over our
records, we found that our countrtmen.
under Thorin, had discovered that land
more than eight hundred years ago, but
that they were met by cruel and savage
Indians, and had left no record CT them
selves, excepting some traces of their sad
history engraven in the rocks at Fall River;
and one temple which they had raised 10
God on an island at the mouth OF Nara
ganset bay, all other record Of them had
passed away.
But since then We learned, other events
adtranspired, other adventures had sought
that shore, and one OF the great nations Of
the earth had been successful in planting
colonies there. That these colonies had
grown and lourished, and that, when the
mother country had endeavorcd 10 impose
tyrannlca laws upon them, they had :ebcl-
led, and standing up boldly in The presence
Of mankind had declared before Almighty
God, that they Were free and independent,
that they had been successful and had es-
tablished a government with written con-
stituiion, based upon the principles of JUS
tice and the eternal rights of humanity,
that they had spread over almost the en-
tire continent, and had become one of the
leading nations of the earth, and that there
a home could be found for all who sought
it, that the right TO labor for olrSelreS
would not be denied us, and that our Gin
aienable rights" of "lifr, liberty, and the
pursuit ofhappiness," would be securedto 10 US.
Ove1oyed with the light and hope which
this news gave US, we have sought this
country to be parakers Of this liberty, to
enjoy this freedom, and here in this beau
t'ful valley we have selected our home
"The resounding echoes OF every tree you
cut down will be heard in mother Nor
way, and bring our brothers TO us, and we
will here establish a new Norway, conse-
Grated TO liberty, babtized in freedom, and
protected by the glorious flag Of America"
How different is our reception from that
which Thorfn and his followers received.
No savage Indian startes US with his war
whoop: but kind friends meet us on every
side, taking us by the hand and giving us
welcome to our new home.
Brothers Of Norway We mnst not dis
appoint this confidence, but by lives of in
duStry and honesty show TO our new bro
theirs that they have not misplaced their
friendship.
And now, 10 these gentlemen Of New
York and Pennsylvania who have so kindly
assisted by their counsel and advice in this
work, | return my most sincere and heart
felt thanks, and casting ourselves upon the
goodness OF our Heavenly Father, resting
secure in his promises, let us 90 on in the
daily performance OF every duty, and he
will bless MS.
The emotion with which this speech
was received lot which the above is bnt
faint outine) cannot be described; the Nor
wegians with bare beads and hands raised
TO heaven swore they would obey the laws
Of the country, and do their utmost 10 be
worthy OF their protection.
Alter silence was restored, Ole Bull took
his violin and commenced an anthem suita-
bic TO the occasion. No language can de-
scribe this music-the audience, the atten-
dant circumstances, and the occasion, aP-
peared 10 have given new and unearihiy
Inspiration to the great artist he touched
every chord Of every heart in his audience
At times the NorwegIans wept like chill
dren, as the strains reminded them OF kin
dred and friends far beyond the ocean, and
then the strains of liberty would pour forth
from the enchanted instrument. In mo-
ment, understanding the language of :he
music, they would shout loud huzza and
chant in unison the war songs and hymns
Of liberty Of old Norway.
! Nc sounding ailes of dim woods rang,
anthem of The free"
he music ceased, and when the
s.. ION had subsided, a gentleman oI
Pennsylvania went forward and welcomed
Ole Bull and the Norwegians to the ancient
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to the
United States of America, aud in few ell
oquent and well timed remarks, promised
to them the protection of our Republican
Government and the peaceful enjoymen
of our free institutions.
Such was the beginning of the new towI
OF Oleona. May sits progress be onwarc
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