Decorah-posten., 1877-05-24

in its application than that which in
every age and cline has prompted
the nations of the earth to celebrate
with pride the returning anniversaries
of events which have guided and de-
termined the distiny of the race.
Of these OCCASIONS, now scattered
throughout the calendar like mile
posts along the highway, teaching us
to cherish those fundamental prin-
ciples of our social and political in
situations which have come down to
us from a venerable antiquity, few
come to us more loaded with golden
memories, rich blessings and instruc.
tive lessons than the one we celebrate
today.
Though by no means the birthday
of freedom to III people, yet the 18th
of May can justly be regarded as the
natal day of a well defined, modern,
Constitutional liberty in the civil in
situations of the fatherland.
To seek for the absolute origin of
freedom among a people like the
Scandinavians, a people who have al
ways been free, a people who, aside
from eachother, have eve known
what it vas to pass under the victor
rod, or feel the oppression of a foreign
conqueror, would be like searching
for the origin of that intense longing
10 be free, which the Creator has in.
spired in every human breast.
Norway, Denmark and Sweden have
each in turn ruled the northern lands,
and ruled them too with more or less
severity and injustice; but as a people,
the three Scandinavian nations have
never known a foreign foe victorious
on their soil - something which can
be said of perhaps no other people in
Europe.
The physical geography Of Norway
corresponds well with its political
history.
Its mountains and its valleys may
well be colled the native land of free
dom. Its "Fjords' and stormy seas
are schools of liberty; and through
its guarding line of white breakers
tyranny has never passed to land up
on its shores. Well may the pilgrim
TO this western world sigh as he looks
for the last time upon the familiar
features of his native land. He leaves
behind him all that has been dear to
his race even since the dawn of its
history as a people. There his an
cestOrs for a hundred generations lie
buried beneath the sods of the valley.
There, perhaps. a faithful lovers
heart beats warmly yet for him. He
sees there, vanishing over the sea, the
snow capped mountains, the green
laurel hills, the broad valleys, the
sparkling brooks, the clear waters and
the bright summers sky, all endeared
to his heart and enshrined in his
fancy from childhood's sweet tradition,
song and story.
When the ancient Vikings launched
their dragon-ships upon the stormy
North Sea, they did so with the hope
of soon returning to their dear ones
at home, laden with the trophies of
successful war and their ships freight
ed with the riches of every cline.
No such hope of glory OF thirst for
plumber inspired yom breast my dear
contrymen when you departed from
that same old, granite shore.
You came to this land with strong
hands and bold hearts, asking only
room to labor and right to live in a
land of liberty.
Since then the busy years have
quickly flown. The rosy color ha,
faded from the lovers cheek. Youl
hands have grown rough with manly
toll. Your faces have been 1onzed
with summers sun and winters storm
in this new climate. Bnt you hay,
found here all that you sought, /
new fatherland, and an abiding-plac,
for yourself and your children
children.
Celebrating as we do in this vas
multitude to-day, with mnsic, an,
!, banners, and speeches, and songs, W
have much to inspire us with thank
fullness for the past, rejoicing in tn
present and hope for the future. A
a people we have a history that ma
well challenge the pride and admiri
. ton Of the world. Scandinavia
more significant III the history tina
on the map of Europe. From tn
II Scandinavian peninsula came tho.
fiery Cloths, who, with the Huns an
/, Vandals humbled ancient Rome in ii
. dust. The Vikings, in their da.
." were the rulers of the sea and Il
+" original discoveries of America.
= In the age of chivalry our galla
u Mortimer warriors invaded Franc
l. sword in hand, and secured for then
c. selves by conquest the northern pc
a ton of its territory which has ev
n since been known as Normandy.
Il In the eleventh century the desce
dents of these brave men, grow
wealthy and powerful in their ne
home, but not enervated by its lux
-, arDo-al tln ol.,,al unlar NCtIlia