The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-29
tory

In presenting ourselves before the Scandina-
Wan public with " Foiksts Rost," a pleasant
duty devolves on Us TO make a few remarks,
and present a brief summary of the claims
" The Voice - makes on your cooperation and
support.
In country and progressive age like this,
in which every thing from the most Insignificant
quack. medicines to the greatest and most i'm.
portant political questions fly on the wings Of
the press to an intelligent and reading public,
II Is not fair TO suppose that the large scandi.
navian population Of Minnesota, can be without
an organ in its own language. We have now
obtained for Minnesota a complete State organ.
zatiou the liberal provisions Of our state
Constitution opens to us free access, IN com.
mon with our native born fellow citizens, to
par,ake in the affairs OF our government; and
our interests and rights "a q sixth part OF the
population Of the state, nnperatively demand
paper 10 our mother tongue, in which our po.
litical position as participants in the affairs Of
the government may be defended and strength.
ened.
The chief aim we have had in view in en-.
deavoripg to establish Norwegian paper ia
this state, Is to contribut some thing towards
holding our free political position as scandina.
vians, with dignity and honor. To this end,
"Foiksfs Rosf' Is devoted. We shall end eavor
through The Ioice. to presen, to our readers
the nature and spirit OF our Federal and State
Cover nment, aud the duties and responsibilities
OF voters. We shall also urge upon our coun.
trymen to shake of the political lethargy,
which they have inherited from our forefathers
in our native country, where the doctrine Of
political economy consisted chiefly In blind
obedience 20 the instituted authorities, and a
political reckessne in general, and that they
may, on the contrary, take an active part In
political affairs.
We must admit, il is true, that the form Of
government in Norway was free enough and
that in literal sense, we may call il repre-.
sentative government but it is equally true
that the liberty In Norway was merely dead
letter on the statute book--an ,gnis fa,uus to
the people at large. How widely different in
this country. Here, we can throw our votes az
ter brief residence, and in common with ma.
wv b''h stNNlc ihf puiltCtt Huet-
tons Of the country Here, we are represent.
ed "a Scandinavians Ia public offices and in the
halls OF legislation. We learn with pleasure
that scandinayians are tilIng important and
responsible offices throughout the State. A
Scandinavian (swede) represented US In the
Constitutional Convention last summer and in
this the first session OF the State Legislature, we
are represented by two Norwegians. These
serve as unmistakahle evidences that in this
country, freedom and equality exls, in reality.
At the same time, we may undoubtedly, ia
this blessed country, also find elements of op.
position to human liberty. We have the mos,
decided evidences that there are organized par.
ties among Us that hate Us as foreigners, that
look down upon US with contempt. aud who
would not avoid an opportunity to put us in a
no less uueuviable position than that Of Illus.
manden' inNorway. How can we avoid this
How can We preserve our liberty, answer.
my dear ceuntrymen, by taking an active part
in politics by bestowipg on tina, subjec, prop.
er attention, and striving by true Scandina.
Wan spirit and sincerity, in common with our
native born fellow citizens, TO enncbie and con.
sodate our glorious institutions. Thus our
rights will be respected, the confidence Of
Americans towards US increase, and our digni.
,y and honor as participants in the government
acknowledged.
AZ We were about issuing a paper in the
Norwegian language, in Minnesota, the ques.
ton arose. in what spirit il should be edit.
ed, and wha, political principles We should ad-
voea,e. should the paper be Republican.
Democratic" or perhaps, "Iadepe adenI"
OF these alternative. w could choose bu, one
namely, to issue a Democratic paper paper
tina, would defend the principles laid dowa in
the Cincinnati Platform; for. Of all the prinei.
pies in American politics, these are the only
principles which are in accordance with our
own convictions and We nrmly believe that Il
Is only by carrying out these thA. the American
Republic will reach the destiny which eur fore
fathers looked forward to ~hsa they founded
our Institutions, namely, . government built